You think and feel for your own self. You don’t relinquish your perception or power to experts.

You don’t rely on reviews, critics, and other secondhand sources to make up your mind for you. Of course, when you see a sign on a bottle of lye that reads ‘Poison, do not drink’, you accept the warning without having to taste it for yourself.

Independence without discernment is a flaw.

To be aware of a single thing means you have your attention on it, which is the first step toward doing anything.

You also realize attention exists within the larger sphere of awareness. While attention is mandatory for completing tasks, it is more important to remain aware.

You could be engrossed in your favorite piece of music while your house was burning down. It would be smarter to be aware that the house is on fire instead of paying attention to the music.

Where is your attention? Does it involve gossip, opinion polls, banal thoughts, lurid tales haunting high profile folk, or name your distraction? Are you proud of your attention? Answer truthfully, or why bother.

I am an artist, you say.

Why should I concern myself with the difference between intuition and thought? It is too philosophical and not important to my work, you might also think. But it is important, and only your ego would attempt to steer you away from a philosophy that would keep it in check.

To the point: freeing the mind of thought through whatever means creates the space for intuition to enter, which is the source of strength that defeats both rejection and gloating.

MORE...

The Internet is aglow with the notion and hype of no thinking—as if this was a recent revelation.

Dashers for enlightenment are now after this new game in town—buying heavily promoted books to elevate them somehow. Smart folk, however, have learned that you can’t chase down truth—nor will truth come and find you. Reading about a truth from a reliable source is good; but, if you want to learn how to swim, you must get wet.

Realization comes at its own pace—and insight is not plagued by any previous thoughts. No thinking (intuition is then at work) is also a pillar of Zen and the source of great art.

When the mind is still, no thinking, there is no confusion.

One of the themes in my new book An Artist Empowered reflects on the master’s words: It is better to live in fulfillment than in hope.

Let me add a companion perception, which I have mentioned in an earlier post: Instead of saying this or that is disappointing, refocus the experience with—this or that is revealing, and see the lesson that awaits you.

In one bold move, you will have replaced angst with awareness.

Yes, these perceptions are easy to understand, yet difficult to believe. As you will soon have an opportunity, prove the merit of each to yourself.