A few thoughts on this Christmas eve, as I slowly recover from some
nasty bug.....JC - nice post. I was touched at moments. That and
some of the other posts to follow inspired me to share an experience I
had this week with some of my high school actors.
We've been working on a play entitled "Can You Hear Them Crying?"
which is based upon poems and artwork created by children living in
Terezin - a Nazi concentration camp/ghetto. For this show to really
touch the audience, I believe the actors are going to need to be able
to really connect with the audience. We have been playing with energy
exercises (as I've discussed in previous posts) and this week, we did
a different activity. The activity involves the actor standing in
front of the audience (in this case, the other actors) and breathing
fully and deeply, and "letting them in" - really seeing them and just
"being" with them. I know it sounds pretty new agey or artsy fartsy,
but that's the best I can do to describe this process. At least how
it's done.
The result is incredible. The actors "see" the audience in a way
they have never seen people before. I've done it myself and the
result is very mystical...it's like seeing past all the
opinions/expectations/beliefs we have about others and just seeing
THEM. It's beautiful. Brings me to tears when I do it and when I see
others get that connected to others. The exercise will often bring the
actor and the audience to tears as well. This is beyond the social
connection. This is beyond the intellectual connection. Best
description I have is a spiritual connection. To be completely open to
another human being. To see past the outer presentation and witness
the beauty within. I've seen individuals that would best be described
as plain or ordinary become truly beautiful in people's eys through
this exercise.
Why am I sharing this? Not exactly sure. oemthing in JC's post
about trying to connect at the intellectual level and feeling alone
prompted it. I think we've come to a point where we use the intellect
to protect ourselves from others. This is what Zen is all about isn't
it? Getting past the intellect and seeing beyond it? Here's a
ituation where a bunch of high school kids (none of whom have probably
ever even heard of Zen) are seeing past the intellect and really
experiencing others. Gives me hope for the future.
Shalom
David Lind
Trickster@postmark.net
David Buchanan wrote:
>
> > jc, JB and Y'all: Just a few words about jc's confession...
> >
> > jc wrote....
> > Something inside us wants to join up though. There's a troubling
tendency
> > of the human soul to create a CoQ - Church of Quality. I find that urge
> > in
> > myself and I have to constantly block it because there's no more
dangerous
> > static truth trap than the "right" metaphysics. But yet, I can't go
> > anywhere else because nowhere else can I even discuss this
> > life-transforming truth.
> >
> > DMB says...
> > Yea, turning philosophy into religion is very uncool. But I think people
> > do have a basic need for some kind of community that addresses those
> > "deeper needs". Philosophers are a little like scientists, they can work
> > alone for a while but the work won't mean much until its published or
> > otherwise put on the intellecual table. Its not just an emotional thing,
> > the intellectual process requires real communication. My father-in-law is
> > a physicist and there are only a handful of people who can really talk to
> > him about his work. Ooooh, but he' so thrilled when he gets the chance.
> > Maybe you could take refuge in the idea that the loneliness is
> > proportional to the thrill?
> >
> > jc WROTE...
> > My loneliness is manifold amongst the people with whom I can talk to face
> > to face. Social intercourse that's ultimately meaningless because nobody
> > really wants to interact on an intellectual level in society. Well at
> > least the society I run around in... maybe y'all go to university and
> > whatnot, I wouldn't know. I dwell amongst the po white trash of the
> > world,
> > beat but happy because I have found interesting discourse right here and
> > now. But without this discussion, I would be lonely indeed.
> >
> > DMB says...
> > I can relate. I'm lucky enough to have some philosophical friends, but
the
> > best of them moved away. It was never enough anyway. The same thirst you
> > describe has motivated me to organize several discussion groups. You
know,
> > real people in a room, with eye-contact and everything. Remember how it
> > was back in olden times? Just find a coffeehouse with a slow night or
two.
> > They'll give you space because it means fewer empty seats. Put up notices
> > at bookstores and such... I've found that dinners and parties can produce
> > some great conversation too. I dare say people almost need to be tricked
> > into thinking philosophical issues by making it personal, practical or
> > political. But that just gets the ball rolling and makes the topic seem
> > more accessible. I'm careful not to expect too much. I figure its a
> > success if all eight dinner guests are all engaged in a single
> > conversation. If the topic and comments are interesting and wonderful,
> > that's just gravy.
> >
> > jc SAYS...
> > Personally, I'm grateful for this place and every person who has
> > contributed. I wish I was able to make a more personal connection with
> > each and every one.
> >
> > DMB says...
> > Well, ain't you got the Chrstmas spirit! In the name of one-up-manship,
> > let me say that I'd like to have sex with each and every one of you.
> >
> >
>
>
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