Theological ~ Overcoming Cognitive Dissonance

When I ponder my conversion to Catholicism, I realize that in large part it was due to my attempt to overcome cognitive dissonance. Other Christian theologies had a way of dividing up the world into "good" and "bad," in particular: religious activities such as prayer, scripture study, obedience to church teaching and culture (always good) v. "non-church" activities and attitudes, such as having fun, pursuing pleasure, making my own decisions (morally neutral, possibly bad).

The problem of course is that common sense observation intuits that fun, pleasure, and independent mindedness objectively generate good things like innovation and healthiness. It is not enough to say, "oh, those things are okay as long as you don't overdo it." What is needed instead, is an explanation of how those things, in the proper time and place, are actually good and indispensably serve God's purposes. If those things are merely fine in moderate amounts, but "less" good than "churchy" activities and thinking, then the pious soul will never give themselves the permission to relax and live a little.

This is just one example out of many, in which Jesuit thinking about finding of God in all things, has been so helpful. Over time, my entire worldview has been reclaimed for God. I am now able to see what is good and Godly in wealth and abundance, and also in poverty. I can see what is good and Godly in achievement, and also humiliation. I can see what is good and Godly in work, and also in play. I can see what is good and Godly in structure, and also in freedom. Now, I can look at the whole of reality, in all of it's variety, and see what is good and meaningful in all of it. This frees me up to enjoy my life as it is, and to look to the future without fear, regardless of the good or bad it may bring. I am freed up to appreciate other people, in all of their variety. I am freed up to live with balance: now, everything can have a time and place in my life.

Meditation ~ Art Serves Life

I have long subconsciously entertained a false division between the activities of writing and teaching music. In one mode, I am being "artistic" and "creative." In the other mode, I am "merely" imparting information.

What is art for?

If art is essentially an ego-based activity, a path towards personal achievement, then teaching is a waste of my time. It arguably takes me away from my own writing and practicing. It is also a waste of my student's time, unless they stick with their studies long enough to have something to "show" for their lessons.

In contrast, if art is about forming people into more thoughtful, analytical, emotionally mature, disciplined, and creative beings, then both paths are purposeful. Whether I'm creating a work of art myself or helping others to create art, souls (including my own) are being formed and inspired.

Actions speak louder than words. It's easy to give lip service to the ultimate spirituality of art, but if we don't value having it in our lives, however it manifests itself, we believe something else. As soon as we understand that art serves life, not the other way around, we will appreciate the value of art at every level of achievement, and in various capacities (professional, amateur, educational).

Poem ~ Young Skin

Young skin, youthful skin

Young eyes, young skinned heart

Tender, soft outside,

Tender, soft inside,

Clear eyes

Light, bell voice

Eyes bright with desire

Arms open,

Arms close,

Vision, blurs

Salt drops, cuts

Callus

First Post ~ Thought Seeds

First post....

Beginning again. I can't separate the artistic, spiritual, experiential, and philosophical from each other within myself, so I'll sow thought seeds in one place and let them all grow up together.

Prayerfully,

Kristin

Los Altos