Blank Space in the Mind / CREATIVITY / SPIRITUALITY
This is a speculation and in metaphor, since the mind even my own is so elusive and impossible to see it
direct though, it seems in the edge of conscious and unconsciousness, there is a Blank Space
where a seed of thought or image is first appearing.
The Space has no size, hence it can accommodate the notion of universe to the structure of sub-atomic
particle —– first in a vague form under dim light.
As this Space was surrounded by all library of knowledges and memories include the subconscious
memory which is deep in the brain, therefore all sorts of connection can be made, in order to make sense
of what is this seed meant, in a fraction of second.
The direction of this connecting process can be logical but it is not necessary.
So that a dream can be created in utterly illogical direction and with completely free connection.
In the same time this is the process where creativity works. Whether it is a flat image or a 3D
structure, or an idea which would be then converted into a meaningful notion by the linguistic semantics.
In the case of image, some person can gradually clarify its vague image into more solid image,
some people has very clear spatial imagination and can do it in 3D structure, others may
only able to see vague 2D image. The person who can see clear 3D image is also good to see
the object objectively. (And I noticed those people are also able to see the self objectively)
From those images, some of the people can convert it to a concrete drawings (with a skill to
coordinate with the hand) —- as an art or a design for the purpose. It can also be an invention.
But those new connections are not the result of logical thinking and there is no formula,
or methodology, they are more like a result of chance. It always comes unexpectedly 🙂
( Like a production of T-cell in our White blood, the design or the combination of DNA pattern is random
—– no designated pattern against the targeted virus. Just make a lot, some may match to the virus and
able to kill them, though the rest would be wasted and die.)
Our body is relying on random chance —– knowingly control the direction is done in much
higher region of the brain, with less creativity or fancy novelty. ( Logical but boring. And
this is why so-called Conceptual art is boring. 😀 )
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So, the field of creativity, new idea or art / design, even a dream are all born in this Blank Space.
It can be described even the limbo in our mind / brain. Between conscious and unconsciousness.
Starting with very vague feeling, as if it is exist or not exist —— like what Buddhist describes.
In this field, as the first seed has no defined direction, chance / accidental connection could be
occurred, and as the brain scanning all the file and information, something very remote but possible
new connection can be made.——–> Eureka ! ! !
If it is something useful, we call it invention, if not —– can be an art. (—– Why not 😀 )
—-
To see the seed as it is, in the clear eyes, is what the Buddhists are working for.
Since it could be the sign from the Dharma or it could be the direct transmission.
Or it could be an ingenious new idea in physics. (Ask Einstein, how he did it. 😀 )
To see it as it is (before converting it to a known category / notion) need to have an open mind,
and best to be done in Mushin without any idiosyncratic view imposed on it.
( Interesting aspect of this Open Mind / Blank Space is, some people can put even clear easily
distinguishable object / idea into this space, and able to make totally new connection free from any
crèche, idiosyncratic notion,——- it is THE creative brain, creative person. And strangely you might
think, the practice of Zen ( not just a twisted leg formality or patterned Koan ) is nothing but the way to
create this Blank Space in the brain and handle all the coming signal with totally open-minded
manner and purest perception)
And this Blank Space is where we can communicate with our Spiritual World.
As a seed appeared to this Twilight Blank Space, it is not yet the form of legible word,
some people call this Transcendental (if it was arrived to the unconscious region,
we couldn’t notice it, and if it was a clear legible message or clear visible image, we don’t
call it Transcendental) in which we feel, something beyond of our understanding,
deep meaning must be there ——- this is what we call Spirituality.
—————–
When we receive something very vague signal, we feel it Transcendental or Spiritual.
Like a sound which doesn’t have a clear rhythm nor distinctive melody but slowly moving rather high
tone (2~4kHz), especially if its got some echo ( think, such as Mozart’s Requiem which was recorded
in a church acoustics, or some slow synthesizer musics), as it is not narrative or descriptive,
and as the echo gives a feeling of the space, we start to feel as if we were absorbed in the infinite
space and gazing into deep unknown world —— we describe the feeling “Spiritual”.
In this reason, sacred music use this effect —- most typically Mozart / Vatican’s Miserere.
( This Allegri’s sacred music was smuggled out of Vatican, stashed in the memory of Mozart. 🙂 )
Even the Adagio of Albinoni or Samuel Barber makes our skin creep.
( There could be a neurological effects between the cyclic stimuli / such as sound vibration and
resonating nerve signal —– can be a residue or left over of far ancient sensory, such as Pineal Grand
was suspected to have —– sensing Earth’s Magnetic Field, Cosmic Wave kind of fancy staff —- which
might explain even Why harmonic sound is more comfortable to listen, or tone of music affect our mood )
Those phenomena gave a clue —— undefinable signal, a seed of very vague feeling or idea / image is
coming to this Blank Space and making the mind to explore unknown field —– Dream, Creative Idea
—–> Art, Invention, New Theory.
In comparison, if the signal is clear and distinctive, it will be instantly linked to the specific data, category
or notion by the cognitive function of the brain, then it will be converted to the literal notion.
But to define the vague signal, whether it was internally conceived or externally received —- it first comes
to the Blank Space. So, this Blank Space is functioning like the sorting room for the lost letters 😀
——————-
A scientist said, this function is in our Right Brain though I’m not sure as a person who got right brain
damaged still has some creativity, free mind is functioning —– and I haven’t seen my brain cut open yet.
(Observation through latest brain scanner is telling, that the Nobel Prized Right Brain theory
seemed to be a myth ——- our brain is much more complicated)
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