The Festival of Wisdom and how to relish in yours.
I think most of us would agree that life (and creating art) is simply one big festival of wisdom, bringing us insight, growth and connection.
Here in the UK, Glastonbury Festival is a cacophony of diverse creativity, experiences and music and creates a magical environment for connection, joy and expression. The reason it is loved by so many is that it has a relentless focus on creating a one-of-a-kind feeling and experience; of the unexpected, the familiar, the new and the yet to be discovered.
These ingredients are universal. The intersection of these things can’t help but create a wonderful feeling and a sense of opportunity, potential and co-creation. And even with acres of mud, it delivers a unique and unrepeatable experience.
Most people I know who have been to Glastonbury say it delivered something way beyond what they expected and yet if you try and pin them down on what, they glaze over and can’t really articulate it - but they have a knowing look.
I think in many ways this is a great metaphor for life and the process of making art. Totally epic, and when we try and distil it down in to what exactly makes it so, it is rather hard to pin down to one thing.
In my experience, making art and being human is a festival of wisdom in progress. We are always learning and growing and seeking to understand and alongside this, quietly in the background, we experience the unexpected, the familiar, the new and the yet to be discovered, all nudging and guiding us and bringing us rich insights and wisdom from which to grow.
When we intentionally tune into these elements we touch a space that is beyond what we think we know about our lives and our art, and open ourselves up to something richer, and a deeper wisdom bubbling under the surface.
In a world where everything is so fast and information rich - to consciously slow down and bring our attention to what is in the immediate vicinity, or savour what is present in our awareness - is like creating a rich and vibrant Glastonbury-style experience on our doorstep.
We can do this by being our own Festival Director and perhaps asking ourselves the questions: -
What are the unexpected things I have experienced recently in my life and art? What did they gift me? What did I learn?
What are the familiar things? The routines? The things I recognise in my life and art? What are they gifting me? What do I love about them?
What is new in my life and art? What have I created? What has this newness brought to my experience? What do I love about it?
What am I open to discovering? What do I want more of? How can I be more receptive to the yet-to-be discovered? How will I be different?
What feeling do these festival ingredients invoke in me?
When I sat with these questions I was flooded with beautiful feelings of gratitude, curiosity and wonder, and a deep appreciation for all of the little details that flow through my life, seen and unseen, that translate into my creative practice as an artist and a facilitator.
In our connection and co-creation with others, whether in our families, with our friends or through our working lives, we expand the festival, we participate in each others festivals, giving and receiving insights and ideas and opportunities to create together.
In the good feelings that this evokes, I know that wisdom flows, that I have been opened up to something bigger and more enchanting than I can possibly imagine on my own.
Acknowledging this I recognise that we are all in this huge field of possibility together, having our individual experience and co-creating and enjoying the vibe of the sunset, music and connection in the metaphorical Festival of Wisdom. (or on Worthy Farm)
Have a good one!