One amazing thing that came up during our New Year's Day meditation was a discussion of the word "sin." Did you know that the word was originally derived from the Greek word hamartia (ἁμαρτία), which means "to miss the mark" or "to miss the target." It was originally a term used in archery!
Now this just blows the doors off lots of little prisons of the mind and soul for a non-practicing little Catholic Dude, who derives lots of inspiration and humor from old battles in Catholic Grade School.
Missing the target might actually be a great description of the creative process. An "artist" is one who purposely misses a target, or just shoots in the dark, or invents new targets, which they shoot at, or don't shoot at, in the process of doing the "good work."
Sinning is essential to the process. It is a fine art itself. And in this game failures can be victories. The main thing is to SIN! Missing targets is essential and fun too! It ultimately leads to the best, most mind-opening work.
I am such a sinner! I love being so. I miss the mark all the time. Occasionally, I hit the mark and that is my best stab at art. The pursuit of the mark is what drives us. Hitting it is cool but, then what? We're junkies of the highest order. We sometimes hit the mark but we're back in pursuit of the next mark the following day. It's a beautiful kind of torture and we're a terribly sadistic bunch.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I went to Catholic school for 12 years. I was raised in a Baptist home. I was at odds with Nuns and Priests almost every day. I received a great education but my questions weren't answered by either faith. Now, I'm Agnostic with a twinge of the Nazarene in me.
This is so extremely true, right down to the symbolic link between Sin and the increase of knowledge. It's frustrating when art doesn't turn out the way you want it to, but every now and again, a seed is planted, and you're left all the better for your mistake. It's a good feeling. :)
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