Earth Calligraphy: Contemplating the Value of Experiencing Art and Natural Beauty

"Inspiration grows into full-scale creation through persistence and imagination"

--Carol Lloyd--

"Creating a Life Worth Living"

Frequently, in their writings, artists and art organizations affirm the life-enriching value of the arts. Less frequently is there included further discourse of specific ways that our lives are enhanced through our experiences with the arts.

I also hold the opinion that the arts play an important role relating to the quality of our daily lives. In my writing, I too have affirmed the value of the arts but neglected to expound on my comments. In this post, will qualify my previous statements affirming the value of art in the context of our experiences. I procede by focusing my thoughts on one meaningful aspect of the manner that art, like nature, enriches our personal lives.

Yesterday, as I was driving eastward, towards the Catskill Mountains, the experience of travelling quietly through the winding passages of this area's natural beauty caused me to realize that art, similar to nature, may beckon us to change our pace. The shift is towards active stillness. And it is towards contemplation.

Art and nature at times may provide us with opportunities for the contemplative experience of knowing and re-connecting to the ground that is the center of our being. The calligraphy of the natural world, like the work of artists' hands and imaginations, are, at times, transcribed upon the pages of our personal histories. It is in this manner that our experiences with the arts and the natural world have the capacity to contribute depths of meaning in the context of our personal lives.

While I drove along the curving and narrow stretch of Tennahah Lake Road, I became aware that the speed of my travel was preventing me from taking in the scenic variety surrounding me. My growing awareness of this situation eventually caused me to slow down. By slowing down, I could better appreciate the surrounding environment that was so different from my usual, urban environment.

This was a different experience. The complex orchestration of light and color combining with sounds, textures and aromas--began to change my inner responses to the day. Thoughts concerning what I needed in that moment began to alter my awareness of the manner that the August light of afternoon was transforming my perceptions and actions. The changing quality of my relationship to the natural facets of beauty stretching out before me brought forth the realization that I now had the more rare opportunity to become more deeply connected to this beauty. I could choose this relationship or procede as a mere traveller passing through without actual comprehension or depth of experience of these specific moments of my day.

It was this realization that caused me to come to a complete stop. I pulled over to the side of the road. I then stepped out of my car to walk into the forgotten depths of trees, even while a vehicle sped by. The driver and I were each moving towards different destinations. Mine, in truth, was not a destination at all. It was an allowance for being connected to life.