Participating Joyfully in the Sorrows of the World
The world is a mess, we know that. Joseph Campbell said:
“The Bodhisattva voluntarily came back into the world knowing that it’s a mess. He doesn’t come back “only if it’s sweet for me.” The Bodhisattva participates joyfully in the sorrows of the world.”
This doesn’t mean that we should give into the doom scrolling. We can know what the news of the world is without further traumatizing ourselves or seeing the same thing over and over. I’ve noticed that a lot of people are writing “signing off until spring” or some such posts on social media, and this might not be the worst idea. I’m on less right now, too. And I do believe in doing a two week or longer re-set with it all. It’s a tricky balance when you’re trying to promote your (or in my case your partner’s art and upcoming art show) work.
This week I’ve continued with my “sacred space” theme. I’ve been reading a lot, working on my asemic writing project, meditating. Joseph Campbell, again, “Sacred space is a space that is transparent to transcendence…” And, “Your sacred space is where you can find yourself again and again.” And in it, “you do not have anything in your sacred space that’s not of significance to you for the harmonization of your own life.”
I like that he says as you get older you realize that you get to do things that “don’t lead to anything.” You can stop asking, what will this give me? How will this further my career or goals? And wonder instead, will this bring me joy? Where do I feel good? He advises us to play, and do as James Joyce said, to remain radiant in the filth of the world.
So, yes, I’ve been retreating to my sacred space, my study, as much as possible. And what I realized one morning after I’d spent (not kidding) over an hour writing correspondence where I basically just said no to 80 percent of the asks, was that my belated word of the year is: hermit. I’ve had years where my goal was to say yes, to embrace everything, the all. But this year, like many, I think I need to re-set. Read more books. Go more analog. Get into nature more. Garden more. (Once the ice ball that is our backyard at latitude 53 melts — somewhere in early May).
And though I am a firm believer in promoting and encouraging excellence, I also want to dabble more, as Karen Walrond would say. In her latest book she says that an amateur is defined as “one who loves.” And I think dabbling can make you even more appreciative of the art or craft you admire. Pick up some paints and you’ll certainly come to a new understanding of how Vermeer got the light on the pearl earring or how each petal was painted on a Rachel Ruysch flower. Walrond extolls the virtue of play, just like Campbell, and in her project to try new things she insists upon play, on curiosity, and to prioritize practice over perfection. We need to feel good! And dabbling can take us to good places mentally.
Rick Rubin, in his book The Creative Act says, “Create an environment where you’re free to express what you’re afraid to express.” And he says when we create, “We are dealing in a magic realm. Nobody knows why or how it works.”
I hope you can find some magic, try some new creative endeavour, mess around. Play. Do things because they bring you joy. Don’t overthink. Just try. I have always loved how the word poetry includes the word try. This is how we contribute to the beauty of the world in the end. The practice of trying.
