The Tree That Bears Much Fruit Bows Low
Why true art flows downward, carrying love to those who need it
This piece originally appeared on Clint’s personal newsletter, The Sovereign Artist, here. We will be locking this piece in a few days to prevent duplicate content issues.
“Art must be an expression of love or it is nothing.” — Marc Chagall
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True artists are the modern versions of spiritual guides; sages; mystics; mages; shaman. The artist has the advantage over the traditional sage in that artists create magical objects to spread their influence. Their art amplifies their reach. And, like the guru, the artist’s job is to inspire, to uplift, to encourage, to save, and to guide souls home.
Perhaps that sounds far-fetched, but, when you think about it, religious ritual itself is a form of art. It’s performance art presented as a gift to God with the goal of guiding souls home. The priest is a kind of artist — part writer and part performer — who must create an inspiring message and lead the rituals.
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I’m merely suggesting that the “performance” of all art — the creation of all art — contains the same power. The ritual and the creation of art are both gifts to God, crafted with love, and presented publicly to invite others, also, to participate. And in such participation, if the perceivers open their hearts, they too will experience, at least for a moment, the unveiling of The Mystery. Ritual is Art. Art is ritual.
When art is created and shared from love, it reaches those who need it. Love and water do not flow to the higher places; they seek always the lower. As the old Hindu proverb says: the tree that bears much fruit bows low. Living water flows downhill. Love always flows downhill. Just look at who Jesus spent most of his time loving.
When art is made from love, the divine flows into you and overflows outward through your work to those whose souls thirst. This is the ancient magic.
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