Sublime
An inspiration engine for ideas
too, a favorite theme of Zen artists. But the main importance of this sutra for China and for Zen was the point that perfect awakening was consistent with the affairs of everyday life, and that, indeed, the highest attainment was to “enter into awakening without exterminating the defilements [klesa].” There was an appeal here to both the Confucian
... See moreAlan W. Watts • The Way of Zen
The inherent superiority of emptiness over form and stillness over activity, as well as their indivisible interdependence, is a salient point in many Asian philosophies.
Daniel P. Reid • The Tao Of Health, Sex, and Longevity: A Modern Practical Guide to the Ancient Way
After all, Pablo Picasso defined art as the “elimination of the unnecessary.” The more that is added, the more opportunities for artistic elimination. Here’s a more concrete example. All around the world, pocket parks are making cities more livable. These tiny parks are typically “built” by subtracting a single (often derelict) building.
... See moreLeidy Klotz • The Untapped Potential of Less
Love this definition of art, from Robert Pirsig, author of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance:
... See moreArt is anything you can do well, anything you can do with quality, anything where there are options for doing it well or poorly. And there are very few things in this world that don't have options for doing it well or poorly. So you can make an art
an essential step in the preparation for a tea ceremony is looking at a work of shodo to clear one’s mind.
Sato,Shozo • Shodo: The Quiet Art of Japanese Zen Calligraphy, Learn the Wisdom of Zen Through Traditional Brush Painting
He has the finest collection of Tibetan wood-block prints in America. He has inspired generations of Stanford students
Alan Watts • In My Own Way: An Autobiography
The less of the artist is in his work, the more perfect it is. When the artist is absolutely absent, then the creativity is absolutely perfect—in this proportion, you have to remember.