Art is, essentially, an interplay of beauty and meaning that creates tangible forms of expression for the transcendent. In its finest moments, art performs on the same level as mythology or ceremony. It offers the receptive viewer a sensuous connection to our most primal, inspired and transcendent ideals such as beauty, meaning, creativity, consciousness, grace, love, wisdom, mystery, life, community, mirth, unity, transcendence, and so on.

I believe art is (along with Religion, Academia and public service) one of the best expressions of what it means to be human.

Peace and Love

Every human must question what it means to be human (especially those who accept war), and then realize a deeper identity with Humanity, with life itself and, ultimately, with this mysterious being known as . . . whatever name by which you know it. 

If you can think of all of this (but especially humanity) as a single, unified whole, then it is easy to recognize war, or evil in any form (terrorism, violence, crime, exploitation, greed, racism, sexism, etc.), as nothing more or less than the violation of this unity. The theory and practice of "us versus them," "dehumanize your 'enemies,'" "destroy the evildoers" that is essential to every war, is the violation of this unity.

To end war, we have to realize this unity as something far more sacred than any cause to violate it.

Peace and Love

Dog wisdom:

There is great joy to be found in the simple things,
Let 'em know when you're happy,
Stop and smell . . . just about everything,
Be passionate about the unattainable - squirrels, for example,
Whenever you have a moment, take a nap,
Always be ready for a good walk,
More of a good thing is better, there is no such thing as too many skritches,
Appreciate your humans, their intelligence may surprise you,

I question why the "real" world is so different than our ideals. Why do we settle for this?Why are the "hard realities" more urgently respected than our ideals? Why is any part of humanity afraid of and destructive of any other? Why are humanity's loftiest ideals treated like nothing more than a worthless alternative? Is humanity's best merely a palliative? How much proof do we need before we accept that we are better than this?

Does anyone else have any insight into all of this?

Peace and Love

Any "perfectly adequate" perspective that retards its own transcendence.

How do you communicate with anyone who knows only that they are perfectly right, and nothing more.
 
How do you enlighten a Pharisee beyond the letter of the Law?

Peace and Love