Finding "The Glow"
Outrageous, nonaggressive creativity.
Dharma art is based on energy and conviction. In this regard, the perceptions of everyday life are seen as a resource, or working basis, for both the work of art and the practice of meditation. But there seems to be a need for two further types of energy—the energy of nonaggression and the energy of outrageousness.”
True perception: The Path of Dharma Art by Chögyam Trungpa
There are creative works which have a certain grounded, pure, resonant quality. They vibrate at a deep frequency. When you look at them, they seem like something special. It doesn’t matter if they are high art or crafty. It doesn’t matter what medium they are. It doesn’t even matter if every agrees about it.
In the vernacular of my family, we’d say these works have The Glow. They just feel right.
Having The Glow is the closest I could come to describing what I mean by embodied art but it’s still an imperfect description.
And then I read the quote from Chögyam Trungpa.
“Dharma art is based on energy and conviction. […] But there seems to be a need for two further types of energy—the energy of nonaggression and the energy of outrageousness.” [my emphasis]
Of course, Trungpa is talking about dharma art in this quote. Whether that is the same as what I mean with the term “embodied art” is debatable. But still, he points to two very interesting qualities to explore when we consider art that has The Glow.
Trungpa describes outrageousness as being so full of intense humor, energy, or power that you can’t contain yourself. You overflow. You’re fearless and celebratory. You are all-in.
But that outrageousness must be tempered with nonaggression (defined as being free from ego-centeredness). You’re not trying prove anything or glorify your own existence. It’s not about publicizing yourself. You’re just being. It’s very matter-of-fact.
Consider these qualities: Expressing your full beingness, without getting caught in your ego. What could be more grounded? What could be more embodied? When your creativity comes from that place, it’s bound to have The Glow.
Today, consider the ways that your creative endeavors reflect your internal state. When you are outrageous and nonaggressive, does that emerge in what you make? When you are insecure or trying to prove how great you are, can you feel that in your work?
Reflection
When was the last time you made something that arose from the fullness of your being? What did it feel like?
Chakra Practice - Week 3 Recap
For the whole month of March, I haven’t been able to practice my exploration of chakras. I’ve been too spent.
So instead, I’ll share a meta-reflection about today’s newsletter.
When I wrote that the essence of embodied art includes a sense of outrageousness and nonaggression, I knew that I wasn’t writing from the place I was describing. Instead, each sentence was filled with insecurity and cautiousness. I wrote and deleted and wrote again. I vacillated between sharing what I understood about The Glow, and worrying that I was sounding like I know more than I actually do. I felt like my knowledge of embodied art was too thin.
For what it’s worth, that piece is an example of non-Glow creativity.
But it’s also an example of human creativity.
Sometimes (most of the time) we’re imperfect and we move forward anyway.
Reflection
Recall a time when your creative endeavor “failed”. In your body, where did you feel that experience? Did the experience have any outrageousness? Any aggression?
Threshold Podcast: Being with the emotions surrounding death
Last week we had technical difficulties so we’ve rescheduled our discussion for Monday.
The death of someone close can prompt a myriad of emotions or a surprising lack of them. Contemplating our own death can also produce a variety of feelings.
This week Emily Conway and I talk about what it means to be with the emotions of death and how you can welcome the experience openly.
Monday, March 23th at 11:00 CT
To catch up on all the old podcasts, click here.
THRESHOLD LIVE PODCAST
I love the distinctions here, outrageous and nonaggressive. I can definitely locate them as feelings in my body as they relate to my creativity. And they're certainly not there all the time! There's plenty of "non-glow" happening. . . .