The Slender Thread

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In Focus - The Slender Thread In Focus | Self Discovery through Photography and Art | © David Ulrich Why is art necessary? Apart from the obvious social, political, and historical functions of art, how does it serve the maker? What benefits are available from the practice of making something? Now, please remember, all of you are...

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What (and Who) is Art For? | The Slender Thread What (and Who) is Art For? Posted on December 22, 2014 by David Ulrich / Laura Dunn An American VisionThe arts reflect the soul of a people; they express the spirit of an age. If this is true, and historically all evidence affirms this, then what can we deduce from this graphic? The diagram shows th…

Spiritual Practice for a New Generation: The Path of the Ronin | The Slender Thread Spiritual Practice for a New Generation: Part TwoPosted on July 20, 2014 by David Ulrich / Laura DunnThe Path of the RoninRoninWe can look to the teachings themselves as a means of shedding light on our exploration of spiritual practice for a new generation. Certain standards or measures exist to in…

Awakening Sight

"Moments of real seeing are beyond the labeling propensity of the mind, beyond what we think we know. Seeing is a step into the unknown and requires some degree of intention and awakening. Real seeing — of ourselves, of others, and of the world — contains three defining characteristics: simultaneity, a direct perception in the present moment; objectivity, seeing things as they are, as best we can; and impartiality, freedom from judgment. For most of us, governed by our subjective attitudes and cherished opinions, such moments of direct perception are rare and depend entirely on our inner state of mind, feeling, and body. But they are possible. Most of us have experienced moments of inner accord in which, by chance or intentional effort, we are open, sensitive, and wholly present. The first step on the Buddhist Eightfold Path is “right seeing,” which serves as a fitting foundation for our journey. In my mind, “right seeing” implies not only a positive, life-affirming attitude, but also a genuine effort toward direct, conscious perception."

—David Ulrich. Adapted, with permission, from "The Widening Stream: The Seven Stages of Creativity." (Beyond Words Publishing, 2002) http://bit.ly/1pozgVp

What are your moments of truest seeing?

Photo credit: "Lower Calf Creek Falls, Utah, 1974." Featured in "Awakening Sight," Parabola Magazine. http://bit.ly/1pozgVp

"An ever-present invitation to ever-greater openness: Education and the Cultivation of Wisdom"

Education and the Cultivation of Wisdom | The Slender Thread Education and the Cultivation of Wisdom

George Ivanovich Gurdjieff (January 13, 1866 – October 29, 1949) was an influential spiritual teacher of the early to mid-20th century who taught that most humans live their lives in a state of hypnotic “waking sleep”, but that it is possible to transcend to a higher state of consciousness and achieve full human potential. Gurdjieff developed a method for doing so, calling his discipline “The Work” (connoting “work on oneself”) or “the Method”.

George Ivanovich Gurdjieff (January 13, 1866 – October 29, 1949) was an influential spiritual teacher of the early to mid-20th century who taught that most humans live their lives in a state of hypnotic “waking sleep”, but that it is possible to transcend to a higher state of consciousness and achieve full human potential. Gurdjieff developed a method for doing so, calling his discipline “The Work” (connoting “work on oneself”) or “the Method”.

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