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Old 05-13-2004, 11:38 AM   #1
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Article: Mediating Reality, Connecting with the World by "The Mirror"

Discuss the article, "Mediating Reality, Connecting with the World" by "The Mirror" here.

Article URL: http://www.aikiweb.com/columns/themirror/2004_05.html
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Old 05-13-2004, 01:34 PM   #2
Qatana
 
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Re: Article: Mediating Reality, Connecting with the World by "The Mirror"

"I start each studio session by changing into painting clothes, putting on music, and setting up my palette, which is a transforming ritual that puts me into an altered state. However, it is a totally inward-turning state, separating me from both the world and from my body. While this process fosters my ongoing mental stability, permits me to develop skills as a painter, and may even produce art that expresses spirituality, it is a process that separates me from the world and does not lead to my growing into a different person. "

But this is exactly the essence of a spiritual meditation practice! You seperate yourself from daily living, center yourself physically and mentally, and allow the creative process to move through you. Producing art does not Seperate one from the world, it integrates. Like any other spiritual path, you get out- in this case a painting which expresses the internal urge to create- by going in...

Q
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Old 05-13-2004, 03:15 PM   #3
Janet Rosen
 
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Re: Article: Mediating Reality, Connecting with the World by "The Mirror"

[quote=Jo AdellBut this is exactly the essence of a spiritual meditation practice! You seperate yourself from daily living, center yourself physically and mentally, and allow the creative process to move through you. Producing art does not Seperate one from the world, it integrates. Like any other spiritual path, you get out- in this case a painting which expresses the internal urge to create- by going in...[/QUOTE]
Hi, Jo!
What you say makes sense, but it doesn't match how I define, for me, spiritual.
Painting does make me a better artist, but it essentially allows me, who I am now, to keep sane *as I am*; it is reflective and integrative but not permanently transformative. I'd like to say there was more to it than that, but I have to admit that in a lifetime of painting, it that's what it is. And also, that's all I need it to be--it's a vital thing, staying sane!
The issue may be mostly semantics. My definition of spirituality, for the purposes of the column and how I live, does not include many inward directed things that I guess most people do consider spiritual practices.

Janet Rosen
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"peace will enter when hate is gone"--percy mayfield
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Old 05-13-2004, 04:12 PM   #4
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Re: Article: Mediating Reality, Connecting with the World by "The Mirror"

And as we have seen on these forums, every one of us has our own definition of spirituality!

Q
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Old 05-13-2004, 05:10 PM   #5
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Re: Article: Mediating Reality, Connecting with the World by "The Mirror"

heheheh. So true. and ok, too.
It was intriguing to go over to the discussion on another thread, and read you saying that aikido, but not ballet or beadstringing, has been transformational for you in specific ways. Sounds like what I'm saying.

Janet Rosen
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Old 05-13-2004, 05:53 PM   #6
Chuck Clark
 
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Re: Article: Mediating Reality, Connecting with the World by "The Mirror"

Janet,

Just another example of how similar we all are in our differences! I think we can all be grateful for how powerful we can become because of these differences. Budo practice is beyond my imagination in the ways it can help us enrich our lives. Thanks for showing us another view.

Chuck Clark
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Old 05-18-2004, 10:31 AM   #7
PeaceHeather
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Re: Article: Mediating Reality, Connecting with the World by "The Mirror"

Janet, thatnks for this article. I identify deeply with both "halves", the artistic and the aikidoka.

(Shameless plug: http://www.the-sanctum.com/Scriptorium/Arrantxa.html)

It was interesting to see your thoughts on the depth of a person's artistic urges; I'd not thought of them in precisely those terms before, but I found myself identifying completely with what you had to say.

Thanks!
Heather
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Old 05-18-2004, 02:26 PM   #8
Janet Rosen
 
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Re: Article: Mediating Reality, Connecting with the World by "The Mirror"

Thank you, Heather. I'm asking some non-aikido painter friends for feedback; curious about what their takes might be, too.

Janet Rosen
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Old 05-20-2004, 11:29 AM   #9
giriasis
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Re: Article: Mediating Reality, Connecting with the World by "The Mirror"

Hey Janet! I finally got to read your article.

I came to aikido seeking the spiritual and looking for some kind of transformative experience, what I got was something completely different. Practicing aikido has forced me to look at an aspect of myself that I was ignoring or didn't consider that important -- my body.As I result so I can train better and more intensely I choose to workout and get in shape, and I'm now a much more healthy person. Being physical, learning to trust my body, practicing aikido in a very physical way is the spirituality for me. I've yet and don't seek that transformative experience anymore.

Anne Marie Giri
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Old 05-20-2004, 12:34 PM   #10
Janet Rosen
 
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Re: Article: Mediating Reality, Connecting with the World by "The Mirror"

Anna Marie, another good example of why sometimes I think the universe knows better than we do what it is we need/want! I wonder how many of us have started training ostensably for one reason, only to discover something else altogether (Jun, a survey?)

Janet Rosen
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"peace will enter when hate is gone"--percy mayfield
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Old 03-08-2008, 09:50 AM   #11
Tony Levi
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Re: Article: Mediating Reality, Connecting with the World by "The Mirror"

i gotta tell you something guys. every article i read here astonish me further. they are reflecting my thoughts and mentality. i didnt think aikido is that.. well.. natural until ifound this site.
i guess my teacher aint the best, because he failed to pass on to me and to the rest of his students (without previous experience) those things..
any chance somebody here knows a good Aikido teacher in Israel?

Soft hearted biologist and a veteran member of the winged community
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