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THE PATH BETWEEN EXTREMES
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A river flowing down the mountain began its journey as a puddle, its ill defined boundaries leaking into mud. At some point, gravity urged it into a downward stream that found a path of least resistance down the mountain. 
Over time the trickle became a stream, which cut its way through the earth and as the earth gave way, the river forged its path to the ocean. That path was not the will of the river, nor was it the intention of the earth from which it was cut. The river flowed as the water found its way to synchronicity with the earth, gravity and the rainfall, snow, or melting ice. Nature works when opposing forces combine to be a value greater than their parts. The river remains a mud puddle until the earth gives way and creates a conduit for the water to flow. The Earth creates the structure and conditions that allow the water its creative direction.
Over time the trickle became a stream, which cut its way through the earth and as the earth gave way, the river forged its path to the ocean. That path was not the will of the river, nor was it the intention of the earth from which it was cut. The river flowed as the water found its way to synchronicity with the earth, gravity and the rainfall, snow, or melting ice. Nature works when opposing forces combine to be a value greater than their parts. The river remains a mud puddle until the earth gives way and creates a conduit for the water to flow. The Earth creates the structure and conditions that allow the water its creative direction.—–
Following the flow of life is not abdicating agency and leaking out in every direction. Once we find our flow state, it is important to remain awake so we can navigate the path. The flow state is not turning the lights off to auto pilot. It is not going with the flow wherever it goes. In that case, it goes nowhere. The flow state requires discipline and form to allow direction and movement. So, we are disciplining ourselves to follow the guidelines, but also disciplining ourselves not to be too rigid. We are disciplining ourselves to let go and trust the flow. However, as the flow state is already there, we do not have to make it happen. It’s not about our will, but surrendering our individual will to work with all the forces involved. Just as water works with gravity, the earth and other natural resources, so we too work with human and societal resources. Energy, spiritual health, income, and the laws of society are some of the myriad factors that can either block our progress or create a conduit for its creative expression.
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Even the most free-form artistic discipline is still a discipline. All creativity needs a block to struggle against to which it learns to conform. The block becomes the guide. The river and its cradling earth become symbiotic. Writers push past writer’s block. The great British playwright Harold Pinter said that the most frightening thing in his life was the blank page. Each time we begin our process, we might be unclear or muddy. But if we work WITH our circumstances, we might find our path of least resistance and find our flow. The necessary tension between space and form create a balance for us to navigate. WE are not doing it. We are following the flow of life with our eyes wide open. If our eyes are open, we will do little wrong. Even if the flow leads us to places we did not intend, there is no fault unless we lose sight in our disappointment. If our eyes are open we will see that this wrong turn has led us to a new place. Life will always throw curves. And it should. But with training in letting go, we can navigate the curves with grace. When we stop to argue with the inevitable, we are interrupting our flow.
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It’s not what happens to us, it’s how we respond to what happens that matters. And if we are fighting uphill with every obstacle we meet, we will lose our flow. In fact, any expression of unregarded / unresolved fear, will create tension in our mind and body. Tension is a gripping. Gripping is not letting go or allowing things to flow. We’re putting our breaks on again and again. How does fear block our flow? Having a solid idea of where it should lead. Or, as we said, pushing our flow in a direction to please or appease anyone else. Conversely, being selfish or narcissistic cuts us off from the cooperation of nature. Trees don’t stand out proclaiming greatness. Nature is cooperative, even when it is antagonistic. If that seems contradictory, it may be best if we look at is as being complementary. Opposing forces that create a balance. This is a dynamic process. And dynamic processes are, by nature, in development, and so can feel scary. Letting go is scary. That’s why we have structure to guide us. Where are you heading in life? What decision will best serve that? So navigating life requires the confidence to sit up and pay attention as life happens. To have the courage to let go of control, yet nonetheless remain awake enough to respond to what happens.
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Therefore, navigating life requires both the tightness of structure and the looseness of flow. We need rules and a constriction of options to allow a clear direction. But, as important as structure is, it is not more important than the creative flow. Perhaps nothing is. Rules are not the point. I can hear the OCD in me gasping. But rules are here to support life. And life is the point. Money is here to provide for our life. Work is here to build our life. Even our health is only here to support our capacity to enjoy life. We are not here to live for money, or our job or even our health. We are here to live. Money allows that, but it is unhealthy and uncreative to make money our purpose. What kind of life is only about following rules? On the other hand, when we say creative life, we are not saying that we can abandon all rules. That would be creative suicide. Creativity needs structure. They are symbiotic. The river needs the earth it fights with. This balance between form and creativity brings out the best in our life.
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In the Zen Tradition they say, “Not too tight, not too loose.” And this can be a mantra, of sorts. It’s about balance. Form is there to guide us, but not suffocate us. Compassion for others is our highest calling. But it’s neither a rule nor a compulsion. Compassion is the natural development of a mind that is at peace. Kindness is not an obligation. It is the best way to behave to create a calm and even flow through life. All the things we think we must force ourselves to be, such as being loving, reliable, kind and productive can happen if we allow them to happen. Set our sights on what is meaningful to us, and then relax with faith and openness. It’s not about us. It’s about synchronizing with everything.
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Controlling life is not healthy or productive. Controlling is too tight. However, just letting it all hang with no
direction is too loose. Sometimes we rail against the authority of form, and this stops the flow, but it may be necessary to reboot the process or add freshness to a routine. But once we reboot, finding the groove and waking up in the rhythm of life. Navigating between the extremes of too tight and too loose we find the balance point for optimal creativity in life. A dancer needs discipline, but the point of the discipline is to let go into the piece. No one wants to see anyone work. We want to see them dance. We want the fruit of their labor. So, form need never be seen. The hand of the director should never be seen. The dance should feel as natural as the river.
direction is too loose. Sometimes we rail against the authority of form, and this stops the flow, but it may be necessary to reboot the process or add freshness to a routine. But once we reboot, finding the groove and waking up in the rhythm of life. Navigating between the extremes of too tight and too loose we find the balance point for optimal creativity in life. A dancer needs discipline, but the point of the discipline is to let go into the piece. No one wants to see anyone work. We want to see them dance. We want the fruit of their labor. So, form need never be seen. The hand of the director should never be seen. The dance should feel as natural as the river.———-
Tibetan Buddhism introduces deities as tutelary methods to instruct the mind toward more elemental experiences. Vajrayogini is a deity that represents the creative passion of a wakeful mind. In many depictions she is seen holding two implements. In her left hand a cup filled with sacred liquor meant to uninhibit the constricted mind. In her right hand she holds a hook knife that abruptly cuts ego. So, she provokes and then meditates. She entices and then disallows She is usually depicted in the dancing form of the dakini. She is beautiful and provocative yet we can never be attached to her. When we speak of the Buddha’s middle way, we are not talking about a vanilla avoidance of conflict or transgression. We are talking about the great freedom between appreciation and grasping. On one hand we are intoxicated by the beauty of the world, on the other we have the sword of our discipline that cuts attachment. And what happens when we are in love, but cannot attach?
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We dance.
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Vajrayogini dances in the sky between creativity and discipline. She dances between extremes, not too tight, not too loose.
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