Thursday, June 30, 2011

The Dance Called Love

Tantra Guru OSHO speaks on what it means to Love in OshoThe Discipline of Transcendence, Vol. 1, Talk #2
I have never said that love is destroyed by marriage. How can marriage destroy love? Yes, it is destroyed in marriage but it is destroyed by you, not by marriage. It is destroyed by the partners. How can marriage destroy love? It is you who destroy it because you don’t know what love is. You simply pretend to know, you simply hope that you know; you dream that you know, but you don’t know what love is. Love has to be learnt; it is the greatest art there is.

If people are dancing and somebody asks you, “Come and dance,” you say, “I don’t know how to.” You don’t just jump up and start dancing and have everybody think that you are a great dancer. You will just prove yourself to be a buffoon. You will not prove yourself to be a dancer. It has to be learnt — the grace of it, the movement of it. You have to train the body for it.

You don’t just go and start painting just because the canvas is available and the brush is there and the color is there. You don’t start painting. You don’t say, “All the requirements are here, so I can paint.” You can paint but you will not be a painter that way.

You meet a woman — the canvas is there. You immediately become a lover; you start painting. And she starts painting on you. Of course you both prove to be foolish — painted fools — and sooner or later you understand what is happening. But you never thought that love is an art. You are not born with the art; it is nothing to do with your birth. You have to learn it. It is the most subtle art.

You are born only with a capacity. Of course, you are born with a body; you can be a dancer because you have the body. You can move your body and you can be a dancer but dancing has to be learnt. Much effort is needed to learn dancing. And dancing is not so difficult because you alone are involved in it.

Love is much more difficult. It is dancing with somebody else. The other is also needed to know what dancing is. To fit with somebody is a great art. To create a harmony between two people...two people mean two different worlds. When two worlds come close, clash is bound to be there if you don’t know how to harmonize. Love is harmony. And happiness, health, harmony, all happen out of love. Learn to love. Don’t be in a hurry for marriage, learn to love. First become a great lover.

And what is the requirement? The requirement is that a great lover is always ready to give love and is not bothered whether it is returned or not. It is always returned; it is in the very nature of things. It is just as if you go to the mountains and you sing a song, and the valleys respond. Have you seen an echo point in the mountains, in the hills? You shout and the valleys shout, or you sing and the valleys sing. Each heart is a valley. If you pour love into it, it will respond.

The first lesson of love is not to ask for love, but just to give. Become a giver.

People are doing just the opposite. Even when they give, they give only with the idea that love should come back. It is a bargain. They don’t share, they don’t share freely. They share with a condition. They go on watching out of the corner of their eye whether it is coming back or not. Very poor people...they don’t know the natural functioning of love. You simply pour, it will come.

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

The Elements and Principles of Designer Relationship (Part 2)

The Principles of Design give us insight into the best way to apply the elements. Skillful use of the principles helps us to refine perception and achieve our goals in the relationship, among them are the following:

Balance-
  Balance speaks to the distribution of energy. It is the ultimate law, the minimum of what we must have to succeed in a healthy way. While balance does not necessarily bring us harmony (where everything is as it should be), it does bring us peace (an acceptance of what is).
  Generally, displaced weight, be it actual or visual, will create a "disturbance in the force". This asymmetrical placement has to done carefully if at all. It can leave the relationship open to negative energy, either from within the relationship or people/circumstances surrounding the relationship. Some quick examples of this are romantic relationships where age, race or religious differences create a gravity that works against the lovers involved. Even when the two have made up their minds to be together, they're union enjoys more than the standard of life's challenges. Although the chemicals involved in love are as compelling as a rocket engine, the two require enormous amounts of  focus and  fuel to escape the gravity of they're rebellion against the trending societal ideas of balance. Transcendence would be achieved when the two create a new standard of balance that makes peace with what is and leaves them both healthier for it.

  Balance can come in many forms, symmetrical or asymmetrical, horizontal, vertical, etc... Some people can handle the challenges of an asymmetrical balancing act and some cannot. If you can make peace with it and you are healthier for it, then this is balance. If you cannot achieve this then, for you, it is off balance. Current ideas of balance are one force but absolute balance can be quite another. There is no way to avoid the law of universal balance and "get away with it".

Proportion & Scale:
  These principles point to the importance we assign to particular values or areas of the relationship. A given area of importance to one member may be large, while to the other member it is rather small. If both partners agree on the importance of the relationship itself, then what one person sees as being of great essential value, the other must adopt. The partner who adopts(adapts) the new level of significance for the given area, is assigning value based solely or mostly on their motivation to be in harmony with the other partner. This can be a demonstration of care but may or may not be a demonstration of love.
  The reasons why a person may care not to "rock the boat" could vary considerably. The importance of understanding the elements, in this case, is proportionately large. At these times it is good to have strong boundaries to avoid those who would pretend genuine concern by lulling you into complacency with pacifying false compromises.
  So what do you think? Can you live with the adoption of new significance to lend to the healthy functioning of your partner and still be happy? If you can then go for it. If not , be honest with yourself and your partner. You both deserve happiness, even if it means moving on. It's worth it.
What is important and how important it is may change from moment to moment. Significance of certain things may take years before the scale of importance shifts. Keep pace with the pulse of the relationship, your Love Life depends on it.

Rhythm-
  Rhythm is flow, it is graceful ease. You will achieve rhythm by understanding and utilizing the elements so that the true beauty of the journey can be experienced. This is the area where you will have a great opportunity to show style and maturity in your response to one another. At this moment you can really show your creativity, your insight, your scientific disposition. This is your major contribution so think, input, eyes on the road and hands on the wheel. For instance, you can emphasize your appreciation of the person or something about them, which creates a rhythm, a melody of gratitude. This is magnetic to the things you desire in a relationship and from that person, if they are there to be had.
  Use the energy of universal flow as a tuner for accuracy. Watch nature, watch your body, your breath, watch the animals, they are wise, they will help you find the flow.

Emphasis-
  Emphasis is the point or center of interest. This is the aspect that initially attracted you to or helped to maintain your interest in your partner/relationship. When we attempt to overlook conflicting areas of interest, the result is confusion. The disorder that follows leaves the relationship vulnerable to destructive elements (love's free radicals) as the inevitable winds of change begin to blow. The emphasis maybe sex, money, looks, family pressure, etc... If those variables shift downward the adhesive weakens and the relationship suffers. Nothing sticks like true love.
  Conflict, however, should not be confused with complimentary contrasts. Emphasis requires compromise and fair play. Care must be taken that both partners get to emphasize different things at different times to encourage equanimity and mutual interest or enjoyment in the relationship.

Harmony-
  The most famous and sought after of all the principles , harmony is the result of all elements and principles skillfully applied. We know we have achieved harmony when the elements have been used in a way that is congruent with the ultimate purpose. In this case each detail relates well with the other and forms a unified whole. Relationships will be loving, supportive, communication will add depth and dimension, conflicts can be resolved peacefully and respectfully. Because the elements and principles are interdependent, the conscious observation of harmony can reveal the condition of the parts as well as the whole.
  With this principle, design (intention), construction (format), and the figure (relationship/person) must work well together for the perfect fit. 

Monday, June 27, 2011

Evolutionary Approaches to Creativity

The following is an excerpt from Evolutionary Approaches to Creativity from the Cambridge Handbook of Creativity. Click on the title to read the entire 28pg PDF on Evolutionary Approaches. 

 

Evolutionary Approaches to Creativity

Many species engage in acts that could be called creative. However, human creativity is unique in that it has transformed our planet. Given that the anatomy of the human brain is not so different from that of the great apes, what enables us to be so creative? Recent collaborations at the frontier of anthropology, archaeology, psychology, and cognitive science are culminating in speculative but increasingly sophisticated efforts to answer to this question. Examining the skeletons of our ancestors gives cues as to anatomical constraints that hindered or made possible various kinds of creative expression. Relics of the past have much to tell us about the thoughts, beliefs, and creative abilities of the people who invented and used them. How the spectacular creativity of humans came about is the first topic addressed in this chapter. Studies at the intersection of creativity and evolution are not limited to investigations into the biological evolution of a highly creative species. Creative ideas themselves might be said to evolve through culture. Human creativity is distinctive because of the adaptive and open-ended manner in which change accumulates. Inventions build on previous ones in ways that enhance their utility or aesthetic appeal, or make them applicable in different situations. There is no a priori limit to how a creative idea might unfold. It is this proclivity to take an idea and make it our own, or 'put our own spin on it', that makes creative ideas evolve. The next section of this chapter investigates in what sense creative ideas evolve through culture. Finally, we address what forces supported the evolution of creativity. Does being creative help us live longer, or attract mates? Perhaps creative projects can sometimes interfere with survival and reproductive fitness; are there non-biological factors that compel us to create? This is a third topic addressed in this chapter.
Comments: 28 pages
Subjects: Neurons and Cognition (q-bio.NC); Populations and Evolution (q-bio.PE)
Journal reference: Gabora, L. & Kaufman, S. (2010). Evolutionary perspectives on creativity. In (J. Kaufman & R. Sternberg, Eds.) The Cambridge Handbook of Creativity (pp. 279-300). Cambridge UK: Cambridge University Press

Friday, June 17, 2011

The Elements and Principles Designer Relationships Part 1

  The concept of a Designer Relationships may sound frivolous on the surface but in this blog you you see a demonstration of the parallels between relationships and the Elements and Principles of Design.
Art and Life reflect each other with such precision that it really is difficult to say whether they truly are separate things. For the sake of argument, we will treat them as though they are. In general the goal of both Design and Relationships are the same, harmony. This is what ultimately attracts or repels us from people, places and things.The tricky part is how social/cultural ideals move and shift our perspective on what is identified as harmonious.
  In American society, where free thought is popular (if not encouraged), the diversity of perspectives is even more pronounced than usual. With this in mind it is easy to see why we have challenges finding friends or lovers that share are values in relationships or what art may constitute a thing of beauty. The nuances of artistic perception play directly into attitudes toward romance, communication, insight and, at times, compassion.
  The elements discussed here are components of universal law. They represent the base material we all work with to create our collective reality. What we are actually seeing is that the same tools we use to create/invent things of beauty and advance function in the world around us are the same tools the "Intelligent Designer"used to create us.
  As we emerge from the adolescence of our species, it is fast becoming a time where we are consciously making our own decisions about what and who we are. We are becoming self-aware creators in our own right. This article dares to lift the veil and shed light on the subject of our awakening.

Line: The first installment of universal source code. 
In design as well as relationship line is the component of law with the greatest influence on final structure. Line gives us direction, allows us to make connections between points, people, ideas and so on. It divides space, establishes boundaries, thought processes, creates patterns and adds flare. Line defines the expression. It is the bones.
  The behavior of the line tells us whether or not something is balanced. Careful observation of the line is primary to good relationships and beautiful designs. Look at the line. Is it long? Is it flexible? Is it thick or thin?The answers to these questions reveal your directions, follow them.
  The misapplication of the laws of line result in what we have come to be very familiar with and that is problems. In quantum spiritual language it would go something like this; the misapplication of line creates a distortion, imbalance or dissonance in the energy field (fabric) of your relationship/design. If you recognize these events in any aspect of your life, you now know what is happening. Understanding is another matter entirely.
  As we follow the line's transition from point to point, around bends and back again, the first dimension of our journey comes to a close and gives rise to the phenomenon of shape.

Shape: 2nd Dimension
When we first meet a person we establish a line of communication. A continuum of exchange begins between the two. In this moment we are collecting information, gauging the boundaries, discussing the terms. If we find enough aspects to convince us to pursue further, things begin to take shape. We start to decide how we want to relate to this person, who you are as a unit. Shape is the form or format we use to relate, determining the inner space or internal environment of the relationship. It is the mysterious emptiness where things start to grow, setting up perameters that can take the form of a prison or a palace. To keep your relationship in shape, start with lines that are strong and well defined. Respect and awareness are the glue that holds the integrity of the shape you've created.
 Certain forms/shapes do not work on certain figures. Square pegs and round holes come to mind. I wouldn't recommend this to a friend. This may be hard to believe but we don't need conflict to add interest to our interactions. Sometimes we do wonder if we should force it, we settle, we allow opportunity to be swallowed by doubt. Do not doubt that we can find the people, places and things with the right angles and curves for a comfortable fit. When they make the round hole there is usually a complimentary peg that goes with it.


Color: Dimension 3
Stimulating complexities come alive as we enter the third dimension of relationship building. The full spectrum of our relationships can be seen from this perch. The true flavor of the interaction comes to light, nothing is just black or white here. Culture, political views, gender roles and personal history plays into the the color that your relationship takes on. With this element we see why we are together, it expresses the personality of the relationship. The temperature, value and intensity of hue can be seen. Sense of humor, levels of intelligence, eloquence, etiquette, sex appeal are only some of the things that add color and fun to the relationship.
  In this realm it is easy to become dazzled and distracted by the illusions that color can create. Through observation of the aspects of color we gain understanding of the reasons that brought us this far. It takes all angles of the prism to create a full spectrum revelation and allow the true colors to shine through.

Texture: 4th Dimension
This is the outcome. How do we feel in this relationship? What effect is it having on us? Is it rough, hard, stiff or luxurious, romantic, healthy? The most sensual qualities of the union are revealed in texture. In the fourth dimension of creation it is crucial to know, with clarity, what each sense is telling you. You must know your heart from your head, your spirit from your subconscious, your ego from your true self. When a person is a sophisticated observer of texture, a liar will only be fooling themselves. The person who recognizes texture will know just what you're made of. They'll know whether you are natural or synthetic and whether or not they hold in their hands a thing of quality.
  Textures are created in certain ways, made of particular fibers. Processes can be applied to soften a fabric or exchange between people but no matter what you do you will not make satin out of wool. Texture will show us exactly where we stand at the end of the proverbial day.

 The Elements of Design or Designer Relationship can be used to conceal the truth or reveal it. The seasoned observer can extract the truth of the matter however, your response to the realities of your relationships also have laws found in the Principles of Design (Part 2).