McVicar's Creek
Photography by Amazon Art Reproductions
Copyright 2009 AD
Contemplative Reverie
Introduction: How to explore our world through contemplative reverie
Sit back on your lawn chair and just relax for a moment to so. Today is a beautiful day, one in which you do not have to do anything, except to enjoy some contemplative reverie, without any interuptions. You do not have write or create anything. Isn't that wonderful?
What is contemplation?
In very simple terms, contemplation is what we do, when we just sit back, relax and think about something or perhaps nothing at all, for just a moment or indefinitely. In other words, we give this our undivided attention, at least for a certain length of time.
This could involve something that is practical or something else, on a far deeper level. Perhaps it is spiritual or devotional in nature or maybe it is even mystical. Does it really matter? No, it does not matter at all.
What is reverie?
Reverie brings in the element of daydreaming, which allows us to get totally lost in our thoughts, at least for a time, so to speak. (Hopefully, we can find our way back!)
Today should prove to be a wonderful day for you as during your time of contemplative reverie, you will explore your world of creativity, both the inner world and the outer world. It does sounds exciting, does it not? It is going to be just that.
Part One: What can we see and how do we see it?
Everyone wonders at one time or another, what we can see and how we actually see it. It always remains a bit of a mystery to us, because people do see things differently.
What you see and what I see can be totally different, with respect to both time and place. But to make things even more complicated, sometimes we both see the same things, exactly the same way too.
But what is really happening, when we see things differently?
For example, I see something as a tree, while you see only the shadow of a tree. Or you might see an animal, while I see just its shadow, disappearing in the night. Or I may attribute that animal to being just a figment of your imagination, something that you only imagined, rather than what you actually think that you saw.
There are four distinct realms that we can depict, with respect to what we see.
1. The Visible Realm: What we can see with our eyes open.
If we look at a tree, it is visible to us. We see it, as well as the distinct details of its appearance. As long as we have relatively good vision, we can see and enjoy the world around us. If we do not have good vision, there is a whole other realm of possibility, as we may only see something that presents itself to us as a blur. Those who are partially blind or blind, see very little or cannot see anything at all, in the visible realm.
2. The Non-Visible Realm: What we cannot see with our eyes open.
We cannot see in a non-visible realm. In other words, it is not accessible to our physical vision, because it is simply beyond or outside of our scope of vision.
An example of this might be when we are attempting to see beyond the horizon. It is out of our scope of vision, as we can only see up to a certain point on the horizon. Anything beyond that is not visible to us, unless we choose go someplace else, that changes the horizon in the distance.
3. The Invisible Realm: What we cannot see, because it remains unseen or invisible, even though our eyes are open.
The invisible realm is one that we often might like to take a peek into, but in reality, to our open eyes it is hidden, simply because it remains invisible. No one can see it, or at least it appears that way.
For instance, a child might suggest that he or she is wearing an invisible hat. In terms of his or her perception or belief system, it may be real enough to him or her, but in terms of our reality or actual fact, it would prove to be part of his or her imaginary world. This opens up the realm of fantasy or fiction.
Consider the example of a small child, who claims to have an invisible friend. To him or her, that invisible friend is not invisible at all. He or she is visible in some way to that child and thus is also regarded as real, by him or her.
To us, the invisible friend is not real at all, even though we may willingly participate in this imaginary thought process or play along with the child, in his or her realm of imagination.
4. The Other Realm: What we see with our inner eye, while we relax in a contemplative mode.
The other realm presents a bit of a conundrum to us, as we see things in a totally different way. In other words, this is a realm that also lies beyond our physical vision.
Have you ever heard anyone speak of a third eye?
The third eye sees beyond the physical realm.
Amazingly, the third eye can peer into almost anything, that lies beyond or outside of the physical realm. Here, we begin to enter into the realm inner sight. We see with an inner eye, in terms of our thought processes, experience and understanding.
This is often referred to as an all-seeing and all-knowing eye and is frequently associated with wisdom and knowledge.
Part Two: Vision opens the realm of discovery
Our world of vision allows us to enter into the realm of discovery and creativity. This is getting increasingly complex, isn't it? Complexity makes the topic interesting, to say the least.
1. To See: To see or not to see, is it simply a matter of choice?
We can actually choose to see something or choose not to see it. To some extent, what we see at any time, becomes and is a matter of choice. In other words, if we choose to not see something, we can simply close our eyes to it.
We have selective vision too in many ways, because we can look away from something that may not be pleasant to look at. For instance, we may choose not to see blood, because it repulses us. We do not like to look at it and thus we turn away from it.
We can physically look away from the sun too, because it is too bright for our eyes. In fact, it may hurt our eyes, if and when we look directly at it. We can still look directly at the sun, realizing or not realizing that doing so, could cause damage to our eyesight. Or we can avoid looking at it entirely.
We can also choose to see or not to see what happens when someone is injured in a car accident. We can choose to be an observer and become active participant as well, by reporting what we have seen. We can also take on the role of a good Samaritan and help that person in some way, instead of turning a blind eye, so to speak. The choice is up to us, at least to some extent.
2. To See Is To Comprehend: Do we only understand what we can see?
It is much easier to comprehend something that we can see, than something that we cannot see. In other words, we can attempt to visualize and understand something that someone explains to us with words, but it does not necessarily mean that we comprehend everything, in exactly the same way that they do. We can also attempt to visualize and understand something that someone tries to explain to us without words.
People see things differently and sometimes that is a good thing, but not always. For instance, several people might report an incident of some kind, in totally different ways, because of the variance in their perception or simply because they were all standing in different places at that time.
3. To See Is To Love: Is our capacity to love linked to our ability to see?
At times, it can be very difficult to love something that we cannot see or visualize. At other times, we seem to instinctively love someone or something that we have never seen or may never see.
For example, how can one love an orchid, unless one has actually seen one? Can one instinctively love a total stranger, who he or she has never seen or met?
There is always degree of indifference associated with that which we cannot see.
Part Three: What Changes How We See?
At times, we may see one way and then suddenly, for some unknown reason, we actually begin to see differently and may not even know why we see that way! It leaves us wondering what there is, that changes what we see and how we see it.
There are a number of different factors that change how we see.
1. Insight: Seeing Into Versus Not Seeing Into
Insight is an interesting phenomenon, particularly when it comes to creative writing. It is as if, somehow, we seem to be blind, at least up to a point, with regard to something and then all of a sudden, we are able to see more deeply into it than we ever could, prior to that time. We are seeing into something that we could not see into before.
For instance, a doctor sees a patient with a medical condition. Suddenly, for no apparent reason, he or she becomes increasingly aware of some factor that underlies or lies behind the patient's medical condition. He sees into the patient's condition, in terms of realization of the reality of the actual problem or the situation at hand. He experiences a degree of insight.
Or, let's use another example. A woman is critically ill and is dying of leukemia. What no one knows, until it is revealed to them by her, is that something really tragic has happened in her family. Once that has been revealed to those around her, they gain insight into the cause of her illness and start to have a better understanding of how to help her to cope with the tragedy, as well as her illness.
Perhaps one might also use the example of a professor, who is engaged in doing research. His or her query into the studies of a previous professor, suddenly lead him or her into a deeper understanding of what the other professor was looking for or inquiring into, with his or her research. Now, his or her own quest starts to take on a whole new focus and he or she begins to search for the same thing. He has gained insight.
2. The Awareness of Enlightenment: With Or Without The Divine
Enlightenment is another wonderful phenomenon, that happens to some people and often quite suddenly or unexpectedly. This goes beyond mere insight, in that it is as if a person has been walking about totally blind or oblivious to something and then suddenly, a light is turned on and everything begins to fall into place and is placed in its proper perspective.
This is something that happens with or without an awareness of the divine.
For example, a person can be trying to figure out how two plus two could turn into five. Then suddenly, a amazing answer of some sort, allows enlightenment into that possibility. (I have not figured that one out yet.)
With an awareness of the divine, one might have a vision or an encounter of some kind, with the divine. Enlightenment is associated with that vision or encounter. This is an amazing experience to go through. Note that this has happened countless times, to many people and been documented enough times for others to realize that it is a real experience, when it does happen. Some may choose to maintain an attitude of total disbelief and deny any possibility of a divine encounter, based upon their own perceptions that involve their belief systems also.
3. Seeing Through New Eyes: The Role of Religion
When one has an encounter with the divine, it is as if he or she can suddenly see, but now he or she sees through new eyes, eyes that somehow see differently and perhaps far beyond the scope of what the person originally could see, through his or her old eyes. Religion often plays a role in this phenomenon.
What this person sees, may be associated with his or her emotions and particularly with love, in some sense of the word. There are often joyous or ecstatic feelings that arise at the same time.
Another instance might be that which is recorded, when one suddenly encounters or perceives the truth. Perhaps prior to that time, in terms of one's understanding, his or her understanding has been based upon a falacy or an untruth of some kind.
Confronting and eradicating or erasing the falacy and being able to see through new eyes, allows a person to see things as they actually are. He or she perceives the truth.
"A man's eyes are opened, when he turns to the Lord."
Part Four: Our Perspective Determines What We See
Many people have different perspectives, when it comes to what we see. What do we mean when we state that? Does everyone not see things from the same perspective?
No, they do not actually, in spite of the fact that we may think that they do or that they should. Being aware that there are other possible perspectives allows room for more advanced creativity when we write. In fact, it opens up endless doors of possibility for us as writers, regardless of what genre we prefer to employ.
Differing Points Of View
1. God's Perspective - Divine Perspective
Only God or the divine, however we choose to perceive the divine, would have the capacity or ability to see from a purely divine perspective. We might think that we can do so, but at best, being mere human beings, we would probably fall short of that and see from a human perspective.
2. Divine-Human Perspective - How Did Jesus See?
Jesus has the unique position of being regarded as both divine and human, which gives Him a unique perspective of His own. Of course, since there is only one Jesus, then there can only be one person who is in that category and has that perpective.
We can allow room for Christ-in-man, or Christ-in-woman, viewing life or whatever, from a divine-human perspective. Of course, this will have some restrictions, as we still remain human beings, even though our spirits may be led or guided by Christ, with regard to our perspective.
2. Human Perspective - Seeing Only As A Person
Seeing life and whatever from a human perspective, is what we seem to be able to do the best, simply because we are human beings, who see from the human perspective that God has designated for human beings.
3. Animal Perspective - The Eagle, The Dog, The Snake Or The Fishworm
There are those who claim to be able to see from an animal's perspective, but at best that is going to be speculative, since we human beings and not animals.
Even in the animal kingdom, one might suggest that there could be a variance in perspectives.
For instance, an eagle sees from the sky. A dog sees from a position that is slightly above the ground. The snake sees from ground level and the fishworm, from its own level under the ground. Of course, there other animals, birds, mammals insects, etc. that all their own unique perspectives.
4. Child's Perspective - The Innocence of A Child's Vision
We love how children see, simply because their perspective is such that everyone and everything is viewed from a perpective that places no judgment on anything, at least not initially. It is the innocence inherent in a child's vision.
Part Five: Seeing Reality Versus Non-Reality
By definition, reality is the quality or state of being real, but how we perceive or understand what is real or reality, can vary from person to person. Let us consider some examples and see if we can explain how this happens.
A. Reality
1. Real To Us Versus Not Real To Us
In the realm of reality, there are numerous things that we consider as being real to us, but probably at least as many things that we do not consider as being real. For instance, we would consider a horse to be real, but a unicorn would be regarded as not being real to us.
2. Real To Us Versus Not Real To Others
In the realm of reality, there are numerous things that we consider as being real to us, even they may not be considered as being real to others. For instance, we might suggest that betta fish are real to us, but because others have not seen one or heard of them, betta fish may not be considered as being real to them.
B. Non-Reality
By definition, non-reality is the quality or state of not being real, but how we perceive or understand what is not real or non-reality, can vary from person to person. Let us consider some examples and see if we can explain how this happens.
1. Not Real To Us Versus Real To Others
Things that are not real to us, can still be real to others. For instance, I cannot see a dog walking down a pathway in the distance and thus the dog is not real to me. You can see that dog and thus it is real to you.
2. Not Real To Us Versus Not Real To Others
Things that are not real to us may also prove to be not real to others, as well. An example might be found in that of a ship on the horizon. I cannot see it and you cannot see it. Thus, it is not real to either one of us. And yet there still may be others to whom it is real because they can see it.
Part Six: Seeing Beyond: The Image In An Image (A Picture)
In front of us, there is a picture or a photograph. One person can see more in the picture than another person. Why is that?
1. We play with what we see, contemplatively.
In our mind's eye, we contemplate and knowingly or even unknowingly, play with what we see, at least to some extent. For instance, consider a picture of a stream, meandering through the wilderness. In the picture, on the top left hand side, there is what appears to be a cabin, hidden in amongst the trees. At least that is what my mind's eye sees. Another person might see something totally different, like a row of soldiers, but no cabin. I might be playing house in that cabin, in terms of my contemplation and the other person might be lining up a row of wooden soldiers.
2. We play with that which lies beyond what we can see.
Even beyond our scope of vision, we tend to play with that which lies beyond what we can see. Contemplatively again, we see ourselves sitting on a rock, dangling our feet in the water of the meandering stream. Perhaps we are watching dragon flies. These are both beyond what we can actually see at the moment, but we have the ability to see them anyhow, at least in the throws of our contemplative reverie or our imagination.
3. We play reflectively.
In our everyday world of thought, we play reflectively. In other words, we can reflect upon something that we may have done in the past. For example, we can still see ourselves enjoying a day, one in which we were taking photos of one another, as we stood beside that same stream. We can reflect upon the cool wind on our faces, as we headed down the path on our mountain bikes. That world is something that we can capture in creative writing, should we choose to do so.
Part Seven: Where Is Our Playground?
One wonders where our visual playground really is, in terms of our actual day to day life. What about our non-visual playground?
Are we right to suggest that we even have a playground? Where is located?
One must argue that we have a wonderful playground and that it is located in our minds. We envision it with our mind's eye and play in it all of the time, at least to some extent. Sometimes we work in it too, as work is as much a part of day, as play is.
Anything that is part of our playground can be incorporated into creative writing.
Let's look at how time relates to our work or play, in the playground of our minds.
1. The past in terms of memory or hindsight.
Reflection, coupled with memory, allows us a whole playground realm in itself.
Let's use the word play as opposed to work, to suggest that what we are doing in the realm of reflection, is playing in the past. We have the freedom of infants, children, teens, adults and even seniors, to do that. This can be a wonderful playground, particularly if we have made a point of building happy memories over the years.
For instance, in our mind's eye, we can play in the realm of infants in their playground, children playing baseball in a ball park, teenage lovers at highschool, young married couples building their first home, adults raising their children or grandparents enjoying their retirement. All of those realms are accessible to us.
We can draw from any of those realms, through contemplation and use any part or all of that entire world for creative writing purposes.
2. The present with respect to what is happening around us
The present that we live in, is a whole other world that we have access to, even while we are engaged in our contemplative mode.
This can be in terms of actual events or scenarios that are happening or ones that surface as our day goes by. These can be captured in memories or in words, if one is inspired to do creative writing.
3. The future with respect to our foresight
The future offers us another realm that we can contemplate, but this requires foresight. We cannot know everything about the future and don't need to know everything either.
We can envision it with open and endless possibilities. We may have a degree of insight with regard to what we can see for ourselves or others in the future. Once again, we can capture that realm too, in thoughts or put those thoughts into words, should we choose to do so.
Part Eight: Higher Levels Of Vison Versus Lower Levels Of Vision
Some people appear to demonstrate higher levels of vision than others. That may sound like an unusual statement to make, but in actual fact, there is a lot of truth to it.
Does everyone not see on the same level of vision? No, of course not and that has to do with the reality that we are created as unique individuals. There are many different levels of vision.
What is a higher level of vision?
Perhaps one might suggest that a higher level of vision, might be one in which a person also perceives beauty, in what he or she sees.
"Why is that? How is it possible?" one might ask.
To respond to that question appropriately, one might suggest that perhaps in some way, the human eye is consciously or unconsciously, trained to see or to not see beauty, in all things.
What do we mean by seeing beauty in all things?
An example of this, might include the following. You or I can look at a mountain and see it as being majestic or beautiful, while a third person may see the very same mountain, as being intimidating or even foreboding, in some way.
Why is this?
It is partly based upon how we were taught to see or perceive, but it also has a lot to do with our experiences of the past or present. In many ways, our experiences can and do color our vision. It can also have something to do with our mood or emotions, at that particular time.
There can also be a futuristic aspect to our level of vision.
In other words, we can instinctively know that something in the future will be beautiful, like a wedding, At the same time, someone else might see the same wedding in the future, in terms of not being beautiful at all, especially if he or she happens to be a jilted lover.
Another example of a higher level of vison, might be that evidenced or found in someone's writings or poetry. His or her description of what he or she sees, may appear to be on the level of the profound or almost on the level of the divine.
An example of a lower level of vision, might include that which appears to be or is perceived to be almost hellish, demonic or even Satanic in nature, as opposed to way that Christ would see.
Whatever one's level of vision is, will more than likely be reflected, at least to some extent, in his or her writing.
Note that creative writing has room for every possible level of vision, all the way from the divine or profound, to the non-divine and non-profound. It can include the beautiful or the not beautiful, the ugly or the not ugly.
Learning to develop creative writing skills, with respect to prose or poetry, as well as love poetry, involves opening up some of those other levels of vision and learning how to transcribe or incorporate what one sees or perceives, into a written format of some kind.
Cycle Of Vision
1. From seeing the real to the not real and then circling right back to the real
Little do we realize, that we have what might be referred to as cyclical vision. In other words, we can begin to see, by perceiving that which is real around us. Almost simultaneously, we can proceed from there into the realm of the not real. Seconds later, we can go the full circle and return right back to where we started, in the realm of the real, not even being aware that this is what we have been doing at that time.
This does not mean that there is anything wrong with us.
It shows that we have, inherent within us, the miraculous potential to see both within and outside of our realm of reality, almost simultaneously and that we can move from one realm to the other, not even being aware that this is what we are doing.
A momentary flight of fantasy is kind of fun, as long as we can return to the realm of reality.
For instance, a child sees a couple of yellow butterflies, flitting around in the flowers. He perceives them as dancing. Who are we to suggest that they are not dancing butterflies? Then he simply sees them as butterflies again.
Actually, adults can see the same way.
For instance, they might even project their interpersonal relationships onto the butterflies and see themselves as butterflies playing in amongst the flowers, but only momentarily and then they too return to the reality of the day and see only butterflies flitting around.
2. From seeing the real to the real to us, but not real to others and back to the real to us
We can also play in the realm of vision that allows us to envision the real, in the realm that is real to us, but not necessarily real to others and then go right back to that which is real to us. It is also cyclical in nature.
For example, we can see dolphins swimming in the water and envision ourselves swimming along side them or playing with them in the water, even while others see us as sitting with them on the dock and never having moved an inch. In the meantime, we have entered the realm of the not real that is real to us but not to others and then returned to the realm of the real.
Capturing the action and the re-actions of others in words, expands our creative horizons, whether we are writing prose or poetry. Love poetry opens these realms even further, as love has a whole gamut of creative emotions, positive and negative, that accompany our experiences, whether they are real or not real.
You See And Others See Versus You See And Others Cannot See
Historically, there are numerous instances that have been recorded where one person, perhaps someone like you, can see and others, like those around you, can also see what you see. This acts to re-enforce your personal credibility.
This is important to you, as a prospective writer, poet or love poet. In reality, personal credibility is extremely important for every creative writer.
And yet, your creativity can still exceed the realm of what others can see, even though you can see or visualize it and even write about it. What you write may appear to exceeds your realm of personal credibility, as well. This does not happen all of the time, but it can occur at any time. When your credibility is questioned, your integrity may become suspect, as well.
Maintaining your personal credibility as a writer, poet or love poet, is extremely important to you, as well as to others, who choose to read what you write. No one wants to read the writings of someone who has no credibility or appears to lack integrity.
When you write about what you see and others cannot see, you always risk losing your personal credibility and having your personal integrity become suspect, as well, at least to some degree.
Writers can get around credibility and integrity issues, by writing in a number of different genres. For instance, you can state openly that fiction is one of the genres, that you choose to write in. It is a real genre, even though what you write may be regarded as fiction or fictitious.
That allows the liberty for you to write about what you can see in some way, however you see or perceive it, regardless of whether others are able to see it at that time or are going to be able to see it in the future.
At times, the fiction mode allows insight into things, in such a way that those who could not see something previously, can begin to perceive it in time, even if only in part. That increases the your credibility as a writer and in turn, that is reflected upon your integrity.
Always do what is necessary to value your personal credibility and your integrity. You will be glad that you did.
…to be continued
A Rose
