Equanimity

Creating beautiful things is a mysterious and paradoxical process. Since it is patently nonsensical to propose that the act of creation is somehow owned by the imagined self of the creator, it follows that the movement must be effortless. The mere observation of emergence. Like witnessing birth.

Yet so much refinement is possible. So many permutations are waiting for intention to permit them entry into form. Infinite levels of mastery that may orchestrate the dance.

With this apparent contradiction in mind I have embarked on a project. I have freed myself for eight days from the mundane requirements of work and life. In their place, my piano — the instrument I love and fear in almost equal measure. I have given myself the task of creating and recording five pieces of music in that time. The challenge is to remain exquisitely present. To maintain a state of equanimous observation throughout.

Immersion in this intention has fundamentally altered the nature of the creative experience for me. Over the coming days and weeks I will share the results of the experiment along with musings regarding the nature of this essential paradox. How joyful effortlessness meets demanding discipline in all artistic endeavour — and most poignantly in the art of living.