What is art? This is the greatly debated question, which I delve into in great detail in my book, An Artist Empowered.

Art teaches mostly what not to do: do not prejudge; do not assume, do not judge, do not falter, do not give your power away, do not give into pettiness, and do not accept secondhand information, which is what it sounds like.

Art, and it is magic art that I’m writing about, allows us to feel (not think or conceptualize with preconditions) with our emotional intelligence the presence of transcendence; in this sense, art is an artifact of truth. Why is this important? Life without transcendence, poetry, courage, and spirit is sterile.

When you have made that trip to the mountain, wherever it might be and at whatever the cost, no one can confuse you with whispers of doubt. 

The question persists: Why does so much mediocre art successfully infiltrate from the mainstream of so-called high art?

We understand mainstream to mean the approved of art by the powers that be.

Regardless of venue and touted quality, mediocrity in whatever form is familiar and non-threatening in a culture weaned on advertising, exploitation, the next big thing, vicarious thrills, and where technique, ideology, and shock art are mistaken for the real thing—art.

Proving this to yourself counts as a basic lesson.

In the Zen tradition, any teaching worth learning comes through intuitive feeling—not from Institutions, long winded speeches, or dialog. 

This, of course, makes sense when you realize that the same is true for great art.

No one can teach you how to be artist because no one can teach you how to be original. You must find your voice on your own.

This knowledge has great liberating power. I encourage you to use it.

Society arranges for those jobs it requires to keep the ship of state afloat.

When it comes to art, we note that the overwhelming demand is for commercial art, which is not inherently evil—unless, of course, it corrupts the artist with his own complicity.

To this scenario we add a creator compelled by his dharma to make art that has a purpose beyond the commercial—unique work that enters the world stage as an artifact of truth. 

I recently received an email from someone who was going to donate one of her kidneys for a dear friend in need.

Of course, she is the model for courage on the deepest level.

Given this apt example of self-sacrifice, how dedicated are you to your art? What is art? These are questions worth noting on a regular basis.