I found the ritual/film very moving. I loved the general notes on journaling and insight into the process for writing the essays. Seems like a worthwhile practice for clarification of my own thoughts and I wonder if even drawings would simply be lost in the barrage of inputs. Seems to me that we are inundated with images as much as text these days. With an infinite number of distractions to choose from, it's no wonder that many (me included) often choose the less healthy and easier options. I think this has to be an intentional and personal shift.
The current onslaught seems to be the product of defaults and defaults have a powerful inertia. FOMO is real. I try to remind myself of what I actually miss out on by getting wrapped up in the fear of missing out. Thanks for the lovely essay.
So glad you enjoyed the essay, despite the many other sources beckoning for your attention. Yes, I've found the essay writing process to be really helpful, and transferable to other aspects of life — it integrates three discrete states of mind: brainstorming, analyzing/organizing, and poetic/lyrical composition. Each is valuable in its own way, though it's best not to mix them, so each can have its own dedicated time and space.
Thank you, Nancy. The weekly reflections have been a way of highlighting one ritual at a time from the series of 21 that I performed from 2015–2021 here at High Acres Farm. Because the project is so complex, I thought it would be helpful to guide people through them one at a time, in sequence. The weekly reflections have also been a way for me to clarify my own thinking on a wide range of topics related to the project, which has been a useful process for me. I remember visiting your beautiful "Potting Shed" in the Berkshires many years ago — experiences that were deeply illuminating and transformative for me. Thank you for creating that space.
The beauty of the dream notes made into a kite struck a particularly resonate cord with me. What a wonderful image to imagine these dreams being given back to the universe as an intentional reverence.
And I believe, if we're at all discerning, that which is important to us we will make time for. As you are, in fact, partaking in it's own weekly ritual with these writings, we also partake in a ritual of making time and reading them. Makes me think that it could be nice to create a place for chosen weekly newsletters or writings that go directly to this special ritual (mail)box without passing through your regular inbox. At a preset date and time each week, you receive an invitation to begin your ritual of reading them. I'd like that.
Hi Blake — thank you for these sweet reflections. It's true: at our best, we make time for those things that nourish us the most. The information we absorb is like food, so what a nice idea to create a dedicated "pantry" for media that will give us the nutrients we seek.
I am from your mother’s generation. I feel such a connection to her and a deep gratitude that from a well of what must have been experienced by her as pain and confusion, she left a trail for you to follow the crumbs, to create light from a seeming bequeathed darkness. She knew. On some level she knew—that we are all interconnected, that darkness is simply absence of light.
Good idea. Some drawing outside the lines could be what’s needed now. And you never know how each one of us might continue covering the distance between a point and a line eh? Thanks for the patience Jonathan. Take good care
Ahah! there you are! far cry from your Icelandic adventures. I did so enjoy your photos and musings. I just fell upon this via a friend's daily poem and what a treat it is! thank you and so glad you are still writing and observing and setting about you rituals and magic. until next time xoxo OZ
Thank you . . . . . again.
You're so welcome!
I found the ritual/film very moving. I loved the general notes on journaling and insight into the process for writing the essays. Seems like a worthwhile practice for clarification of my own thoughts and I wonder if even drawings would simply be lost in the barrage of inputs. Seems to me that we are inundated with images as much as text these days. With an infinite number of distractions to choose from, it's no wonder that many (me included) often choose the less healthy and easier options. I think this has to be an intentional and personal shift.
The current onslaught seems to be the product of defaults and defaults have a powerful inertia. FOMO is real. I try to remind myself of what I actually miss out on by getting wrapped up in the fear of missing out. Thanks for the lovely essay.
So glad you enjoyed the essay, despite the many other sources beckoning for your attention. Yes, I've found the essay writing process to be really helpful, and transferable to other aspects of life — it integrates three discrete states of mind: brainstorming, analyzing/organizing, and poetic/lyrical composition. Each is valuable in its own way, though it's best not to mix them, so each can have its own dedicated time and space.
Beautiful essay. How do you decide on your weekly ritual and how do you incorporate it into your week?
Thank you, Nancy. The weekly reflections have been a way of highlighting one ritual at a time from the series of 21 that I performed from 2015–2021 here at High Acres Farm. Because the project is so complex, I thought it would be helpful to guide people through them one at a time, in sequence. The weekly reflections have also been a way for me to clarify my own thinking on a wide range of topics related to the project, which has been a useful process for me. I remember visiting your beautiful "Potting Shed" in the Berkshires many years ago — experiences that were deeply illuminating and transformative for me. Thank you for creating that space.
Good to read this today Jonathan.
Thank you so much, Emily!
The beauty of the dream notes made into a kite struck a particularly resonate cord with me. What a wonderful image to imagine these dreams being given back to the universe as an intentional reverence.
And I believe, if we're at all discerning, that which is important to us we will make time for. As you are, in fact, partaking in it's own weekly ritual with these writings, we also partake in a ritual of making time and reading them. Makes me think that it could be nice to create a place for chosen weekly newsletters or writings that go directly to this special ritual (mail)box without passing through your regular inbox. At a preset date and time each week, you receive an invitation to begin your ritual of reading them. I'd like that.
Hi Blake — thank you for these sweet reflections. It's true: at our best, we make time for those things that nourish us the most. The information we absorb is like food, so what a nice idea to create a dedicated "pantry" for media that will give us the nutrients we seek.
I am from your mother’s generation. I feel such a connection to her and a deep gratitude that from a well of what must have been experienced by her as pain and confusion, she left a trail for you to follow the crumbs, to create light from a seeming bequeathed darkness. She knew. On some level she knew—that we are all interconnected, that darkness is simply absence of light.
Thank you, Connie, for this beautiful image.
Good idea. Some drawing outside the lines could be what’s needed now. And you never know how each one of us might continue covering the distance between a point and a line eh? Thanks for the patience Jonathan. Take good care
It all comes down to geometry :)
Ahah! there you are! far cry from your Icelandic adventures. I did so enjoy your photos and musings. I just fell upon this via a friend's daily poem and what a treat it is! thank you and so glad you are still writing and observing and setting about you rituals and magic. until next time xoxo OZ