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. 

From birth, we are indoctrinated in what to think, and perhaps even more devastating, how to feel. We are convinced that we belong to a nationality and a country.

If you can’t feel for yourself without the approval of others, then how can you create original work?

The terrain here is strewn with obstacles of all sorts. If you feel you are immune to mass social conditioning, then the hypnosis is working as planned by those who manipulate perceived power.

Remember, you don’t realize that the system is critically flawed until it fails you. But you don’t want to wait for that scenario. Begin now by asking yourself this question: When was the last time that I had an original thought, or an authentic emotional intelligent feeling?

Most us have heard this: everything happens for a reason.

Agree? Disagree?

Of course, everything does happen for a reason—from the light bulb burning out to a selfless act of bravery to things from the dark side of the force.

When something wonderful happens to us, we rarely say it happened for a reason—which is a passive phrase most often connected to difficulties.

I suggest this approach: when some event ensnares you in a drama, it is you who must provide the reason, the lesson, and the meaning. This is power; this is art; and this is a life worth living.

Without hyperbole, indoctrination, or the need for years of training in a monastery, the kiteflier takes the line and instantaneously becomes one with the kite.

This is the Tao of kites, the irreducible arrangement of opposing forces that connect the flier to nature—the source of all that is.

Fly High, Land Gently!