Humans seem to have an ability to symbolize. As we categorize, organize and make plans in a linear progression of steps, our consciousness resides in what we sometimes call the left hemisphere, analytical brain. These logical processes allow us to participate in that uniquely human activity that Korzipski (Science and Sanity, A. Korzipski) called Timebinding.
Left Brain
Alfred Korzipski’s formulation of General Semantics, and more recent adherents such as S. I. Hayakowa (Language in Action, 1939), point out some of the advantages, and also some of the limitations of this mode of thought/consciousness. Indeed, “The map is not the territory.” (Korzipski, Science and sanity) highlights this distancing encountered when we reside in the left brain hemisphere.
Right Brain
A more direct experience of raw reality might be achieved by moving our consciousness into the right brain hemisphere. This is the realm of residing in immediate experience. We do this when we fully immerse our attention in the present, not blindly, but with intelligence, holistic, rather than linear in nature.
Examples abound:
Drawing
As a Left brain activity, we may draw a face by first symbolizing what we see: Stylized eyes, nose, mouth, ears, hair, etc., within a circular shaped head. (Betty Edwards, Drawing on the right side of the Brain; See also Nicolaides, Kimon, The Natural Way to Draw).
When we are in the right brain hemisphere, instead of symbolizing, and then drawing a series of symbols, the eye follows a line, and the hand, with a brush, pencil, or piece of charcol, follows the same movement. What is drawn is an accurate (more or less) representation of what we see.
Betty Edwards, in order to move into our right brain hemisphere, suggests a simple exercise which shows the difference between the two sides:
If one takes a picture of a face or a head and attempts to copy it, in a normal, upright position, one will probably draw symbols. By turning the picture to be copied up side down, and copying the then less familiar lines presented, a truly accurate representation is often created. This can be easily seen when the two pictures are then turned right side up.
T’ai Chi
In just such a way, in practicing our form, as we leave our old, habitual patterns of movement behind, we may more accurately represent the unity, balance, and relaxation which we seek.
By paying attention to our balance and our state of relaxation, which brings us into the present moment, our T’ai Chi performance may become a far more accurate presentation of the unity and elegant simplicity to be found in good T’ai Chi Chuan.
Music
The musician immersed in the sound may be far superior to one that is performing a series of mechanical steps.
Much of the time, practice is required to attain transcendence, in music or T’ai Chi, or any other activity (Swimming, golf, archery. etc.).
Creativity
Such moments may be the wellspring of true creativity.
This may be what Antoni Gaudi meant when he said that “The creation continues incessantly through the media of man, but man does not create… he discovers.”
Best Wishes Always,
Daniel
