This page is devoted to sharing the'voices'of others - all expressing in their own unique way, offering personal insights.
Please do scroll down there's a great deal of interesting stuff related to Self-Expression which is incredibly inspiring, not only in its content but in its possibility and its hopefulness. Enjoy!
Jamie Catto
Manifesto
‘We want to put our own selves into the work. We want to create a movement of introspection and self inquiry where the viewer becomes the subject of the piece. It’s about you. If we dare to show ourselves in all our raw glory, really express what’s going on in the chaos and the shadows then we have a chance to connect to something real in our audience. Because when I talk about me, you’ll hear about you.
We need to collectively admit that we’re not fine, we’re not confident and balanced and good. We turn up to work every day pretending we’re not neurotic and obsessed and insatiable and full of doubt, and we waste so much energy keeping up this mutual pretense for each other because we think if people saw the truth, if people really knew what was going on in our heads, all the crazy truth of our dark appetites and self loathing, then we’d get rejected. But in fact, the opposite is true. It’s when we dare to reveal the truth that we unwittingly give everyone else permission to do the same. To stop holding their breathe for a moment and actually come into the room. Be here, present, vulnerable and authentic.
We’re on a mission to make self-reflection hip for just a moment, just long enough to save us. If we can all collectively acknowledge our insanity, shrug and roll our eyes at each other at how nuts it is being a human, let alone having to pretend every day that we’re normal, the amount of energy we’ll inherit that has been wasted on the mask will be enough to creatively solve any global crisis.’
Manifesto
‘We want to put our own selves into the work. We want to create a movement of introspection and self inquiry where the viewer becomes the subject of the piece. It’s about you. If we dare to show ourselves in all our raw glory, really express what’s going on in the chaos and the shadows then we have a chance to connect to something real in our audience. Because when I talk about me, you’ll hear about you.
We need to collectively admit that we’re not fine, we’re not confident and balanced and good. We turn up to work every day pretending we’re not neurotic and obsessed and insatiable and full of doubt, and we waste so much energy keeping up this mutual pretense for each other because we think if people saw the truth, if people really knew what was going on in our heads, all the crazy truth of our dark appetites and self loathing, then we’d get rejected. But in fact, the opposite is true. It’s when we dare to reveal the truth that we unwittingly give everyone else permission to do the same. To stop holding their breathe for a moment and actually come into the room. Be here, present, vulnerable and authentic.
We’re on a mission to make self-reflection hip for just a moment, just long enough to save us. If we can all collectively acknowledge our insanity, shrug and roll our eyes at each other at how nuts it is being a human, let alone having to pretend every day that we’re normal, the amount of energy we’ll inherit that has been wasted on the mask will be enough to creatively solve any global crisis.’
Below is a video about many of us who don't naturally 'shout from the rooftops'! and how that's just fine.....
Take a look at this inspiring video contribution from Tim Freke who is an inspirational 'Stand up Philosopher' amongst may other things!
Below is an article about METATRON - It resonates totally with my 'message' - Truth always endures, it is in the air, always is, always will be.
Keeping the Angelic Lines Open
Embody Your Spirit
"Present with Metatron: Reflections, Prayers and Meditations"
Keeping the Angelic Lines Open
Embody Your Spirit
"Present with Metatron: Reflections, Prayers and Meditations"
Dear Everyone,
People often ask, "what is the best way to keep my connection with this great, loving force open and strong - between courses, between sessions, in the ordinary moments? How do I keep the Angelic lines open in the office, on the ward, at home - on a busy day?" - How can we give and receive the most in any relationship? What is the vital ingredient that is needed for loving energy to flow between partners, parents and children, friends?
The single thing which unites one being with another is presence. Years ago the Vietnamese monk and teacher, Thich Nhat Hahn, was asked what he would do if he met Bin Laden, then believed by so many to be the most dangerous, 'wanted' man on the globe. Nhat Hanh replied simply that he would listen; he would deeply listen to what this man might have to say - to sit with him and be open to his perceptions, his feelings, his wounds; to hear his voice, whatever that required.
If we bring even this intention to our relationships, we can heal a great amount of pain - both within those to whom we listen and within ourselves. Listening that comes from stillness, from being present and thus centred in the heart, opens doors within us and around us. Even if all that's available today is a few moments. If we're alert, if we're present, we notice things that we maybe missed before. We sense the rhythm of a person's speech and movement (and our own), so the 93% of the communication that happens outside the words touches us, finds us, instead of slipping past us and vanishing out of reach. We feel, as each person's heart opens wider in the safety of the love that we share.
What happens, in fact, is that our senses become purified, refined - and empowered. The energies of love flow deeper, stronger, because there's nothing standing in their way. This means they can fuel our creations, whatever those may be: a word, a meal, a touch, a song.
This is exactly what we can also bring to our relationship with Spirit: with God, Creator, Source. With our guides, with the Masters. With Archangel Metatron.
The real joy is that the more we trust this truth, and open our hearts to the absolute knowledge that we are never alone even for a moment, the more the invisible, inaudible, intangible world can work with us to transform our personal worlds, in visible, audible, tangible ways. And as we walk the path that leads us 'home' to our hearts, toward the deepest embracing of the here and the now, towards the deepest 'Yes' to whatever we are living, Metatron enters that space more fully, holding our hands, showing us the way.
We have come a long way. For many - even most - of us, the journey has been tough. We have felt separated, isolated; we've believed that to be worthy of love (read security, abundance, fulfilment success on any level) we must become more of something or other. Actually, the opposite is true. For presence, stillness, peace of mind - all of which usher in the forces of Love - it is more likely that we need to let the weights we have gathered fall away.
People often ask, "what is the best way to keep my connection with this great, loving force open and strong - between courses, between sessions, in the ordinary moments? How do I keep the Angelic lines open in the office, on the ward, at home - on a busy day?" - How can we give and receive the most in any relationship? What is the vital ingredient that is needed for loving energy to flow between partners, parents and children, friends?
The single thing which unites one being with another is presence. Years ago the Vietnamese monk and teacher, Thich Nhat Hahn, was asked what he would do if he met Bin Laden, then believed by so many to be the most dangerous, 'wanted' man on the globe. Nhat Hanh replied simply that he would listen; he would deeply listen to what this man might have to say - to sit with him and be open to his perceptions, his feelings, his wounds; to hear his voice, whatever that required.
If we bring even this intention to our relationships, we can heal a great amount of pain - both within those to whom we listen and within ourselves. Listening that comes from stillness, from being present and thus centred in the heart, opens doors within us and around us. Even if all that's available today is a few moments. If we're alert, if we're present, we notice things that we maybe missed before. We sense the rhythm of a person's speech and movement (and our own), so the 93% of the communication that happens outside the words touches us, finds us, instead of slipping past us and vanishing out of reach. We feel, as each person's heart opens wider in the safety of the love that we share.
What happens, in fact, is that our senses become purified, refined - and empowered. The energies of love flow deeper, stronger, because there's nothing standing in their way. This means they can fuel our creations, whatever those may be: a word, a meal, a touch, a song.
This is exactly what we can also bring to our relationship with Spirit: with God, Creator, Source. With our guides, with the Masters. With Archangel Metatron.
The real joy is that the more we trust this truth, and open our hearts to the absolute knowledge that we are never alone even for a moment, the more the invisible, inaudible, intangible world can work with us to transform our personal worlds, in visible, audible, tangible ways. And as we walk the path that leads us 'home' to our hearts, toward the deepest embracing of the here and the now, towards the deepest 'Yes' to whatever we are living, Metatron enters that space more fully, holding our hands, showing us the way.
We have come a long way. For many - even most - of us, the journey has been tough. We have felt separated, isolated; we've believed that to be worthy of love (read security, abundance, fulfilment success on any level) we must become more of something or other. Actually, the opposite is true. For presence, stillness, peace of mind - all of which usher in the forces of Love - it is more likely that we need to let the weights we have gathered fall away.
Christian meditation? . . . . experiences of 'letting go' . . . . inspiring.
"KNOW THYSELF" -
Reminders from some of our most respected 'seers'
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare (baptized 26 April 1564; died 23 April 1616)was an English poet and playwright, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world’s pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England’s national poet and the “Bard of Avon”.
Of all knowledge, the wise and good seek most to know themselves.
Thou sleep’st: awake, and see thyself.
The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool.
This above all: to thine own self be true,
And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man.
I know myself now, and I feel within me A peace above all earthly dignities,
A still and quiet conscience.
William Shakespeare (baptized 26 April 1564; died 23 April 1616)was an English poet and playwright, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world’s pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England’s national poet and the “Bard of Avon”.
Of all knowledge, the wise and good seek most to know themselves.
Thou sleep’st: awake, and see thyself.
The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool.
This above all: to thine own self be true,
And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man.
I know myself now, and I feel within me A peace above all earthly dignities,
A still and quiet conscience.
Prophet Muhammad
Muhammad (26 April 570 – 8 June 632) was the founder of Islam. In the Muslim tradition, Muhammad was a messenger and prophet of God. He was also a social reformer, diplomat, merchant, philosopher, orator, legislator, military leader, humanitarian and philanthropist.
Whoever knows himself knows God.
Muhammad (26 April 570 – 8 June 632) was the founder of Islam. In the Muslim tradition, Muhammad was a messenger and prophet of God. He was also a social reformer, diplomat, merchant, philosopher, orator, legislator, military leader, humanitarian and philanthropist.
Whoever knows himself knows God.
Bhagavad Gita
The Bhagavad Gita (Song of God), is a 700-verse Hindu scripture that is part of the ancient Sanskrit epic, the Mahabharata. The teacher of the Bhagavad Gita is Lord Krishna, a manifestation of God Himself. The context of the Gita is a conversation between Lord Krishna and prince Arjuna.
Wake up! Be thyself!
The glory of the Self is beheld by few.
The Self is unmanifested, beyond all thought, beyond all change.
This is true knowledge, to seek the Self as the true end of wisdom always. To seek anything else is ignorance.
The Bhagavad Gita (Song of God), is a 700-verse Hindu scripture that is part of the ancient Sanskrit epic, the Mahabharata. The teacher of the Bhagavad Gita is Lord Krishna, a manifestation of God Himself. The context of the Gita is a conversation between Lord Krishna and prince Arjuna.
Wake up! Be thyself!
The glory of the Self is beheld by few.
The Self is unmanifested, beyond all thought, beyond all change.
This is true knowledge, to seek the Self as the true end of wisdom always. To seek anything else is ignorance.
Rumi
Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Balkhi (30 September 1207 – 17 December 1273) was a 13th-century Sufi poet, jurist, theologian and mystic. His writings and poetry have been widely translated into contemporary English making him one of the most popular Eastern poets in West. His best known works are Mathnawiye Ma’nawi, Diwan-e Kabir and Fihi Ma Fihi. He is buried in Konya, Turkey.
Who am I in the midst of all this thought traffic?
Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Balkhi (30 September 1207 – 17 December 1273) was a 13th-century Sufi poet, jurist, theologian and mystic. His writings and poetry have been widely translated into contemporary English making him one of the most popular Eastern poets in West. His best known works are Mathnawiye Ma’nawi, Diwan-e Kabir and Fihi Ma Fihi. He is buried in Konya, Turkey.
Who am I in the midst of all this thought traffic?
"Know yourself, and you will know the universe and its gods." - The Oracle at Delphi
This is an article about what 'true creativity' is - It's not about knowing 'HOW' it's about experimenting, its about DISCOVERY, and individuality.
'An essential first step in being creative is to question your own way of looking at things …'
Photograph: Bob Krist/Corbis
I define creativity as the process of having original ideas that have value. Creative work in any field often passes through typical phases. Sometimes what you end up with is not what you had in mind when you started. It's a dynamic process that often involves making new connections, crossing disciplines and using metaphors and analogies.
Creativity is about fresh thinking. It doesn't have to be new to the whole of humanity – though that's always a bonus – but certainly to the person whose work it is. Creativity also involves making critical judgments about whether what you're working on is any good, whether it's a theorem, a design or a poem.
There are various myths about creativity. One is that only special people are creative; another is that creativity is just about the arts; a third is that it's all to do with uninhibited "self-expression". None of these is true. On the contrary, everyone has creative capacities; creativity is possible in whatever you do, and it can require great discipline and many different skills.
Over the past four years, I've spoken with many people about their particular talents and passions and how they discovered them. In my new book, Finding Your Element, I draw together some of the lessons they can teach us.Hans Zimmer is an Oscar-winning composer, who has created the scores for some of Hollywood's most successful films. As a child he loved to play the piano but had no patience for scales and rote learning. Whenever he tried to play or compose, his teacher would stop him and say: "Go and practise your scales!" He admits to being disruptive at school and was actually thrown out of eight of them. Finally, he arrived at number nine.
The headmaster took him to one side on the first day and said: "Look, I've read all these reports. How are we going to avoid this sort of trouble here? What is it you really want to do?" Hans said that all he really wanted to do was play music. With the head's support, he spent most of the time doing exactly that. Slowly he became engaged in other work too.
First, creativity, like learning in general, is a highly personal process. We all have different talents and aptitudes and different ways of getting to understand things. Raising achievement in schools means leaving room for these differences and not prescribing a standard steeplechase for everyone to complete at the same time and in the same way.
Second, creativity is not a linear process, in which you have to learn all the necessary skills before you get started. It is true that creative work in any field involves a growing mastery of skills and concepts. It is not true that they have to be mastered before the creative work can begin. Focusing on skills in isolation can kill interest in any discipline. Many people have been put off mathematics for life by endless rote tasks that did nothing to inspire them with the beauty of numbers. Many have spent years grudgingly practising scales for music examinations only to abandon the instrument altogether once they've made the grade.
The real driver of creativity is an appetite for discovery and a passion for the work itself. When students are motivated to learn, they naturally acquire the skills they need to get the work done. Their mastery of them grows as their creative ambitions expand.
Photograph: Bob Krist/Corbis
I define creativity as the process of having original ideas that have value. Creative work in any field often passes through typical phases. Sometimes what you end up with is not what you had in mind when you started. It's a dynamic process that often involves making new connections, crossing disciplines and using metaphors and analogies.
Creativity is about fresh thinking. It doesn't have to be new to the whole of humanity – though that's always a bonus – but certainly to the person whose work it is. Creativity also involves making critical judgments about whether what you're working on is any good, whether it's a theorem, a design or a poem.
There are various myths about creativity. One is that only special people are creative; another is that creativity is just about the arts; a third is that it's all to do with uninhibited "self-expression". None of these is true. On the contrary, everyone has creative capacities; creativity is possible in whatever you do, and it can require great discipline and many different skills.
Over the past four years, I've spoken with many people about their particular talents and passions and how they discovered them. In my new book, Finding Your Element, I draw together some of the lessons they can teach us.Hans Zimmer is an Oscar-winning composer, who has created the scores for some of Hollywood's most successful films. As a child he loved to play the piano but had no patience for scales and rote learning. Whenever he tried to play or compose, his teacher would stop him and say: "Go and practise your scales!" He admits to being disruptive at school and was actually thrown out of eight of them. Finally, he arrived at number nine.
The headmaster took him to one side on the first day and said: "Look, I've read all these reports. How are we going to avoid this sort of trouble here? What is it you really want to do?" Hans said that all he really wanted to do was play music. With the head's support, he spent most of the time doing exactly that. Slowly he became engaged in other work too.
First, creativity, like learning in general, is a highly personal process. We all have different talents and aptitudes and different ways of getting to understand things. Raising achievement in schools means leaving room for these differences and not prescribing a standard steeplechase for everyone to complete at the same time and in the same way.
Second, creativity is not a linear process, in which you have to learn all the necessary skills before you get started. It is true that creative work in any field involves a growing mastery of skills and concepts. It is not true that they have to be mastered before the creative work can begin. Focusing on skills in isolation can kill interest in any discipline. Many people have been put off mathematics for life by endless rote tasks that did nothing to inspire them with the beauty of numbers. Many have spent years grudgingly practising scales for music examinations only to abandon the instrument altogether once they've made the grade.
The real driver of creativity is an appetite for discovery and a passion for the work itself. When students are motivated to learn, they naturally acquire the skills they need to get the work done. Their mastery of them grows as their creative ambitions expand.