Koan Kreativity III
Using Ancient Wisdom to Inspire Modern Creativity
Presented as either a riddle or tale, the koan is instrumental to the Zen student’s path to enlightenment; by opening and freeing the mind from both outer and inner restrictions, the “empty mind” of the Zen student is more open to insight and realization that could be achieved in no other way.
As artists and creative people we, too, need the benefit of an “empty mind.” Our own creative insights and realizations become more tangible and workable when we clear away the clutter of fear, apathy, negativity, and all other potentially destructive restrictions that we may have learned in our lives.
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Every-Minute Zen
Zen students are with their masters at least ten years before they presume to teach others. After all, learning all one can isn’t as easy as learning how to ask someone for a date or ride a bicycle. There are lessons that span a decade to master.
Nan-in was visited by Tenno who, having passed his apprenticeship, had become a teacher. The day happened to be rainy, so Tenno wore wooden clogs and carried an umbrella. After greeting him, Nan-in remarked: “I suppose you left your wooden clogs in the vestibule. I want to know if your umbrella is on the right or the left of the clogs.”
Tenno, confused, had no answer. He realized that he was unable to carry his Zen every minute. He became Nan-in’s pupil, and he studied six more years to accomplish his every-minute Zen.
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Creativity requires every-minute awareness, just as Zen does. From snatches of conversation that we overhear in a coffee shop to noticing the colors of the sunset reflected off of our car’s windshield, each moment brings with it the possibility of inspiration while adding depth and meaning to our work — and our lives.
We live in a society where our attention is often fragmented and easily swayed; we can get overwhelmed by the 24-hour news cycle on our phones, televisions, and internet and by the busyness of our day-to-day lives. We seem to live in a world comprised of sound bites, 30 second advertisements, and the constant hum of our own minds.
As artists and creative people, it is paramount to be able to focus our attention on the task at hand and not be deterred. Our ability to do our work with an empty mind leads to a more focused approach — not only to our creative work, but to our entire lives.
In the words of Laurie Anderson (musician, writer, artist, and performance artist): “Art is about paying attention.” In this way, our deliberate awareness becomes our every-minute Zen.
