http://www.edensart.com/ee/index.php/eden/index/ en artist@edensart.com Copyright 2008 2008-05-09T03:26:00-05:00 http://www.edensart.com/index.php/site/art_teaches/ http://www.edensart.com/index.php/site/art_teaches/#When:03:26:00Z 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.  art 2008-05-09T03:26:00-05:00 http://www.edensart.com/index.php/site/excuse_me/ http://www.edensart.com/index.php/site/excuse_me/#When:22:47:00Z Excuses. What are they? Why do you use them? Are you an excuse abuser? Can you hear how you diminish your own self with the self-justifications that limit you—as a creator and a human being? Remember, the true artist will always find a way. This is the mantra you need to indelibly etch into your consciousness for the next time you begin to utter that excuse in whatever form. Excuses are what they sound like, so said the master. awareness 2008-05-06T22:47:00-05:00 http://www.edensart.com/index.php/site/metaphysical_shoe/ http://www.edensart.com/index.php/site/metaphysical_shoe/#When:20:53:00Z The question came up. Am a writer who paints or a painter who writes? So, as not to box myself into labels and corners, I said: “I’m a creator who writes and paints. Remember, an artist, a creator, has no medium. If the metaphysical shoe fits, wear it. awareness 2008-05-02T20:53:00-05:00 http://www.edensart.com/index.php/site/the_brass_ring/ http://www.edensart.com/index.php/site/the_brass_ring/#When:02:24:01Z We’ve all been there. If only we could go back in time and right a wrong—one of our own doing. To feel regret without an act of contrition that addresses remorse in some meaningful way is disingenuous and a victim’s game. While the soul is perfection, we are not—which is a debated topic. As an artist, my dharma is to reflect truth; I leave perfection to consciousness, which does not require our help. So, when the next opportunity to right that wrong reveals itself, grab the brass ring and burn away the karma that has been dragging you down.  awareness 2008-04-30T02:24:01-05:00 http://www.edensart.com/index.php/site/a_core_question/ http://www.edensart.com/index.php/site/a_core_question/#When:04:11:00Z Years ago in a cafe near the beach in Santa Monica, California, the Zen master asked me: “Why do you want to be artist?” As I’ve said before, this is the question. Have you answered this core question to your own satisfaction? If not, you might as well be a doctor, carpenter, or a plumber—professions that society values. I did answer the master and without hesitation. What would your answer have been? awareness 2008-04-24T04:11:00-05:00 http://www.edensart.com/index.php/site/maslow_and_us/ http://www.edensart.com/index.php/site/maslow_and_us/#When:18:54:00Z More than fifty years ago, pioneer researcher Abraham Maslow recognized the importance of ‘studying’ the healthy people, those who were self realized. Are you fascinated with mental pathology, serial killers, gossip, roadside accidents—name your grisly scene? It’s clear that most in our culture are swept away to support such aspects of social behavior. If you want to excel above the mundane, to evolve beyond social conditioning, choose your model carefully and with restraint. kul cha 2008-04-18T18:54:00-05:00 http://www.edensart.com/index.php/site/a_cup_runneth_over/ http://www.edensart.com/index.php/site/a_cup_runneth_over/#When:02:22:00Z Here’s another favorite Zen tale that you will find in my book, An Artist Empowered. Nan-in, a Japanese master during the Meiji era (1868-1912), received a university professor who came to inquire about Zen. To welcome his guest and set the stage, Nan-in served tea. He poured his visitor’s cup full, and then kept on pouring. The professor watched the overflow until he no longer could restrain himself. “It is overfull. No more will go in!” “Like this cup,” Nan-in said, “you are full of your own opinions and speculations. How can I show you Zen unless you first empty your cup?” awareness 2008-04-13T02:22:00-05:00 http://www.edensart.com/index.php/site/blog_author_tours/ http://www.edensart.com/index.php/site/blog_author_tours/#When:18:24:00Z You may have heard about blog author tours, where writers are interviewed on other blogs. I’m being hosted on these two: by Janet Riehl on her blog: www.riehlife.com—in three parts: 4/8-4/10/08 And tomorrow by Clif Johnston on his blog: zenjunk.tumblr.com: 4/10/08 Visit their blogs where you will discover much enlightened information. Eden writing 2008-04-09T18:24:00-05:00 http://www.edensart.com/index.php/site/the_gauntlet_guarantee/ http://www.edensart.com/index.php/site/the_gauntlet_guarantee/#When:04:33:00Z Here’s a challenge from An Artist Empowered: You must make it through an entire day, while conversing with others, without using these three common tick words: just, hope, and wish, or uttering a single cliche. I call them tick words because they are merely marking time, nothing more. If you’re unaware of abusing cliches, then your are (let’s use an apt one here) adding insult to injury. The point of this exercise is this: prove the insidious power of social conditioning to yourself; from this insight, original work can begin. Leave a comment, and let me know how you made out. kul cha 2008-04-03T04:33:00-05:00 http://www.edensart.com/index.php/site/lulu_and_i/ http://www.edensart.com/index.php/site/lulu_and_i/#When:23:28:00Z In response to the many questions I’ve received about my publishing experience with Lulu.com, please read The Zen of POD publishing—link in the Inside Preview sidebar section. With the power to do it yourself as an ‘Indie’ publisher comes great responsibility; it can be done by any self-inspired individual. One of the essential characteristics of a creator is self-reliance, which is also the mother of invention. writing 2008-03-29T23:28:00-05:00