Inspired...

Inspired

Photo courtesy of Lydia Gamble

I was walking in the park this morning, and it was an unusually cool July morning. But the sky was clear, the sun was out, and I was contemplating that final margarita last night. Some days you start on the mountaintop, and some days you start in the valley.

Regardless of where we start the day, I think we all have an idea of the kind of day we want. Your ideal day is probably different from mine. My ideal day is one where I am connected and in the flow. Towards the end of my walk, the song American Pie by Don McLean began to play. It is amazing to me that a song released almost 50 years ago (1971) could still be so impactful today. I also find it interesting that - as amazing as this song is/was - it was not representative of the writer's career. As I perused The Best of Don McLean on Amazon Music, there is only one other song on the album (Vincent) I recognized.

How is it that American Pie (which many consider to be one of the greatest Pop songs ever written) was not repeated throughout Don McLean's career? Maybe more relevant to me is the question of from whence and how does such inspiration come? The ancient Greeks believed that art and poetry were inspired by The Muses. According to Wikipedia:

The Muses are the inspirational goddesses of literature, science, and the arts in Greek mythology. They were considered the source of the knowledge embodied in the poetry, lyric songs, and myths that were related orally for centuries in these ancient cultures.

In current English usage, muse can refer in general to a person who inspires an artist, musician, or writer.

I am assuming that you are interested in leading an inspired life. If you are not, then we probably don't have a lot to discuss. But if you do want to be inspired - and possibly even to inspire others, how can we be that person? Just because we want to be - it seems to follow that it is not so easy.

I find it interesting that the Greek word for inspired is theopneustos, or god breathed. The Bible we read today was written in the Greek language (as it was then what English is today - the dominant language.). And Greek is a very colorful language. According to Wikipedia:

The Greek language distinguishes at least four different ways as to how the word love is used. Ancient Greek has four distinct words for love: agápe, éros, philía, and storgē.

-Agápe means love: esp. charity; the love of God for man and of man for God. Agape is used in ancient texts to denote feelings for one's children and spouse.
-Éros means love, mostly of the sexual passion.
-Philia means affectionate regard, friendship, usually "between equals". In his best-known work on ethics, Nicomachean Ethics, philia is expressed variously as loyalty to friends (specifically, "brotherly love"), family, and community.
-Storge means love, affection and "especially of parents and children". This is also used when referencing the love for one's country or a favorite sports team.

Whereas we struggle to differentiate between I love ice cream and I love you, Greek is much more precise. Whether in Christian or ancient teachings, Greek seems perfectly suited to help us better understand the idea of inspiration.

Whether it is a Greek Muse whispering in our ear or a creator-God breathing into us, the implication is that it comes from somewhere else - somewhere outside of us.

How is that so? If you have felt that blissful sensation of being in the zone or in the flow, you know that it is quite intense. And, although we are deeply involved in the experience of inspiration, we can probably agree that it is not easily conjured or maintained.

In some ways, inspiration is similar to a trance or a spirit that comes upon us. The Judeo-Christian tradition has this perspective. Old Testament prophets only prophecied when the spirit was upon them.

Jesus had his own ideas about inspiration. In the Gospel of John, Jesus is attempting to explain how he was able to perform miracles.

Jesus answered, I tell you a solemn truth, unless a person is born of water and spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. Do not be amazed that I said to you, You must all be born from above. The wind blows wherever it will, and you hear the sound it makes, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.

If you are a word person, you will find it interesting that the Greek word for spirit is pneuma. The word can also be translated as breath or wind. It is a component of the Greek word for inspired - theopneustos, i.e. - God breathed, discussed above.

So, pardon the long digression, but what I want to emphasize the convergence of wind, spirit, and breath. We know we are only alive as long as we have breath. And we all know how refreshing it is when a cool breeze blows over us on a hot and muggy night.

And, of course, we know how wonderful it is to be inspired and create something beautiful. Whether a song or painting - or even a perfectly delicious meal, these things bring us real joy.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if becoming inspired were as easy as taking a walk or jogging in the park? But it is not that easy. But, sometimes, mysteriously, when we least expect it - an early morning walk or a late-night jog can shift us so that inspiration is possible.

Much has been written about mindfulness and the closely related concepts of connectedness and awareness. In 2001, Eckhart Tolle published his famous book The Power of Now. In the introduction, he writes: You are here to enable the divine purpose of the universe to unfold. That is how important you are!

So how in the world are we going to do that? I certainly don't have the answers, but I do know that it begins with inspiration. And I know that it is usually preceded by resting in the moment, and being mindful and aware.

I think it is important for us to humbly realize that - whether it is a Greek Muse who whispers or a cool ocean breeze that blows - we cannot make inspiration happen.

So what can we do? We can be ready. We can prepare a place in our heart for inspiration to grow.

And, other than that, we can be grateful when it does come. We can honor the breath that blows by stopping and doing whatever the Muse - or the wind - tells us to do.

Namaste.

dg 

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