Enlightened Sight

How often does what you think you see turn out to be entirely something else?

But you were so sure! How could your sense of sight betray you?

Why does this happened?

Have you ever attempted to describe what you saw — the whole of it —to pick the very right words, precisely, in the mind, only then to have those perfect words retreat — or haul ass — into the unknown… that place of meaninglessness and incoherence? And then, days later, the realization occurs and what you think you saw is not what you saw and was never seen and whatever that is — whether it is what you saw or what you think you saw — will never be seen through the minds of others because you can’t describe it either way!

Some people try to describe the birth of a child — the swelling and the small holes, White Dwarfs, and Neutron Stars of that experience! Others attempt a description of a sad, tiny leaf — one upon which rain has dropped, the lonely-looking leaf in spite of its season in full-bloom! Some people try to describe lightning… or that sound of silence between lightning and thunder… or the speed of sound. People have tried to describe the smell of roasted almonds… Others — some very ambitious others — try to do it all in social media posts!

Descriptions. Sense of sight. Hum.

Have you ever wondered why we see? Have you ever wondered why we try to describe the indescribable — what motivates us? Are you someone who wants to write what you see and just be happy with that, feeling a sense of satisfaction in reducing it all down to words in a way that actually expands the experience not only for you but for the dear reader? Are you intrigued by how perception moves from the sense of sight — as an image, perhaps — and makes its way through the brain body and the nervous system and fills up with emotion and memory… and is sculpted by thought and imagination… and this journey is then transformed into the written word or articulate speech? Have you ever contemplated this?

To say what we see is a conspiracy. To say what we feel may be more accurate. To write enlightens us and purifies our sense of sight.

Every Monday in the month of October 2018, I am offering an online workshop to focus in on our perception through the art and craft of writing and the yoga technique of pranayama. Ultimately, with full commitment, we will go beyond finding just the right word and beyond anything, in fact, that requires bondage to a struggle or to a neurotic drive for perfection! We will surrender and bow to the layers of everything between the eye and the I.

At the core of all literary work is human error — and yet, simultaneously, also the foraging and perseverance. This workshop is meant to elevate any work you do and all levels of experience in writing and in yoga are welcome.

We do not discriminate against age, skin tone, hair texture, Divine connection or none, nation of origin, race, ethnicity, religion, special needs, gender expression and identity, sexual orientation, accent, writing genre, socio-economic background… and we expect the same from all participants.

This is a remote/online class, held each Monday in October. We will come together via Zoom from 6PM — 8PM CST for short discussions, writing prompts and pranayama yoga. The last Monday of October, is set aside for yoga and to share/read the work.

https://www.rachael-levalley.com/sacredoffers/writer-workshop-pranayama

In this workshop, we will examine the outcome of our writing but we will also look at the act and process of writing as it dances with the input of and impact on and through the body-mind apparatus.

Following the workshop, we will apply this experience and the techniques in our lives. The work we do together will expand and flow into the weeks between classes and beyond the workshop. Additional resources will manifest throughout the month and are designed to be explored, considered and experienced.

Let’s write it on!