Art is a method of practising devotion to the True Teacher, who is the Supreme Artist; the whole universe being His creation, and man His most finished work.
To this Artist every true artist has ever bowed, knowing that without His help he is helpless, without His inspiration he is void of any creativeness.
When the pupil has served his teacher and humanity, and learned the method of meditation, he is ready to begin the actual practice of art, which should have only one purpose: the faithful representation of the creative purpose of God, and his own self-effacement.
Representation does not mean in the likeness of an object, but in the likeness of the creativeness of the Creator. In other words, as the student attunes himself to the Supreme Artist, he begins to work in His manner.
Just as the Creator created man in His likeness (in His creativeness), so the mature, humble artist again creates his work in His likeness (in His creativeness).
Discipleship (attitude) uncovers the meaning of form.
Meditation on the True Teacher's form reveals the meaning of the objective world, as all objects are found to be contained in His person.
When the movement of objects is seen as His activity, then the law of rhythm is realized.
Composition, then, assumes meaning. Previously, it was based on preference. Preference is because of attachment.
Seer and seen are now known as not different.
Then is love born – which gives impartiality of vision and same-love to all things.
The resultant activity (production of art work) is creativeness in likeness – perfect and complete representation.
This representation, independent of similitude, is also the truth of the object. If another person, looking at the object and its representation, should think, “They are not the same,” it would be on account of his delusion as to the significance of form. Creativeness cannot be two, as it is the one Creativeness which made both the object and its representation.
Since love is the reason and cause of the objective world, only by love may it be understood.
The awakening of love is usually only achieved after years of devotion; but it is by Grace alone that it comes when it does come.
The manifestation of this love (in the art-work) is a means of revealing that love to others; it becomes a vehicle for their emancipation.
Because it clings to nothing, it creates no impression of attachment upon others, but is in itself pure in its creativeness.
Thus life is revealed as no mystery; and the artist's purpose is accomplished.
from Seven Stars To Morning
© Avatar's Abode Trust, Woombye , QLD, Australia. reprinted with permission.
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Poetry