The concept of the “Self” lies at the core of many spiritual and philosophical traditions. It is often described as the most fundamental aspect of our being, the true essence of who we are. However, the Self is not something we can easily grasp through our usual means of understanding, like thought, perception, or intellect. It transcends our physical, mental, and emotional experiences, yet it is ever-present and underlies all of them. In this chapter, we will explore what the Self is, how it differs from the ego or personality, and why understanding the Self is key to realizing true reality. The Self as Pure Consciousness At its essence, the Self is pure consciousness. It is the awareness that observes all experiences, but it is not limited by or attached to those experiences. It is the unchanging witness of all that arises in life—the thoughts, emotions, sensations, and perceptions we experience daily. To grasp this concept, think about a movie screen. The screen remains ...
The
quote, 'A bird doesn't sing because it has an answer, it sings because
it has a song', is attributed to Maya Angelou, the famous poet and civil
rights activist. This statement holds a profound meaning and has
relevance in various aspects of our lives. In this post, we will explore
the essence of this quote and its implications in our lives.
The quote implies that singing or #creatingart is not always about conveying a message or answering a question. Instead, it's about #expressing oneself in a manner that is #unique and personal. It highlights the fact that there is an innate human desire to #create, to #expressoneself, to be heard and seen, and that the act of #creating is not always for a specific purpose.
Birds
are known for their melodic songs, and their singing is not always tied
to a specific function. Their songs are often sung for the sheer joy of
singing, for expressing themselves, and for communicating with others.
Similarly, humans also have the innate desire to create and express
themselves, and art is one way of doing so.
#Art, in all its forms, is an expression of #creativity,
and it allows us to communicate our thoughts, feelings, and emotions in
a way that is unique and personal. It is a way of creating something
that is not always tied to a specific function, but rather something
that comes from within and is a #reflection of our inner selves.
Maya
Angelou's quote also highlights the fact that art is not always about
giving answers, but rather about asking questions. It is about exploring
the world around us and expressing our #ideas and thoughts in a way that #inspires others to do the same. Art has the power to move people, to #challenge them, and to inspire them to create their own art.
Art,
in all its forms, has the power to transcend boundaries, to connect
people from different cultures and backgrounds, and to create a shared
experience. It has the power to bring people together, to create a sense
of #community, and to inspire social change.
The act of #creatingart is also an act of #selfdiscovery. Through the process of creating, we learn more about ourselves, our #strengths, and our #weaknesses. It is a way of exploring our inner selves and expressing what we find there.
#Artists often create without a specific #endgoal in mind. They create because they are compelled to do so, because they have a #vision, a #dream, or an #idea that they want to bring to life. They create because they have a song that they want to sing.
In
conclusion, Maya Angelou's quote, 'A bird doesn't sing because it has
an answer, it sings because it has a song,' is a powerful reminder that
art is not always about giving answers, but rather about expressing
ourselves and exploring the world around us. It is about creating
something that is personal and unique, and that has the power to inspire
and connect people. Art is a way of discovering ourselves and #sharing
our experiences with others. It is a reminder that we all have a song
to sing, and that we should never be afraid to share it with the world.