Did you catch this week’s podcast chat with the British philosopher Alain de Botton? We talk about how we use philosophy as a therapeutic device for living thriving with anxiety. At the end of the conversation, I get Alain to talk through two works of art and how they can provide a reflective sanctuary for a despairing soul.
'I love this idea…a gathering of tortured souls who meet to bear witness to each other’s laments.' I love this idea too and this might sound flippant but hear me out: I had terrible depression in my youth and I used to watch all the Bergman films (some from before my time but still when Liv Ullmann was in most of them, then I caught up to her - she's c 15 yrs older) and her first memoir mentioned how important her 'sewing circle' was. We laughed hysterically at this concept. But actually it's a great idea - and enduring. It can be a book club or a painting circle, whatever - a group you meet once-a-whatever to properly talk while you quietly do some craft or else talk with the book talk I guess. When my boyfriend died 20 plus yrs ago, my girlfriends and I would meet at our 'sewing circle' (one of the husbands called it our 'drinking circle'!) and just that quiet crafting with conversation was v healing for me. I recalled this when watching SBS On Demand's documentary series on Liv Ullmann, which I recommend - it's fantastic. - Penny from Braidwood.
My hand writing is quite lovely, a little in the vain or Shawn Stussy (I know I am a massive narcissist 😅). But it also becomes just a scrawl when I am moving outside of the realms and pace of life.
When I notice the scrawl, I know that it is time to slow the fuck down and breathe. And Yes! 🙌🏼 it is at the pace of life. A perfect tempo 🎶🥁
As having experienced a life at the opposite end of the spectrum of a narcissist, and many years allowing narcissists to influence me, I started to journal each morning to strengthen “my voice”.
Every morning just allowing the voice to bubble up from the belly, poetry, gibberish, wishes and dreams or agendas for the day. No filter or judgement.
Reconnects , brings the tears as art should , and brings me closer to myself and “god”.
And in these current days of despair , it allows me to wish, to hear myself, be heard by life, and allow the deafening silence and the tick of the clock to be heard. And then comes in the bird song, my daughter, the wind in the trees, a smile on my face and the day ☺️
How beautiful Sarah. My share- more theological perhaps but deeply profound I think is James Finley. Beautiful man, dripping with grace. He wrote Merton’s Palace of Nowhere and recently released The Healing Path. I reckon this podcast gives a decent insight into his thinking and practice - https://open.spotify.com/episode/3mrEY8Ug2yta2vbhvI8niu?si=PdFbIxHQQMCwB_BcpbYS2w
Another gem in a similar vein is RichArd Rohr- Franciscan who established the Centre for Action and Contemplation in New Mexico- https://cac.org/
He nailed it with his interpretation, I see each second, each heart beat, her pain, and the depth of beauty, appreciation, and care and that it brings to her. And presence. Her work appears so delicate, and random. While perfectly imperfect, with universal uniformity running through it. Reminds me of sea shells, cliff walls, and flotsam on the shore line.
On a side note Sarah, I need to jump off here also for a bit. My daughter made a comment this morning after finding me reading a comment on my yoga mat. I explained to her what I was doing, (phones have been a gap between us for a long time) but she was correct in her saying yes, but it’s still the same energy dad.
I have not deleted Sub because I was looking forward to the Northern Rivers catch up. And I really enjoy the mature conversations here 😅. Do you have a date yet? Or if it’s not for a month of two, I will just delete and go into full monk mode for a few more weeks 👌🏼
Pain is such an inwardly felt and personal experience if it has manifested as despair of the mind. Even more so I imagine if you are naturally introverted and have had a negative experience with trust. So many other factors too.
This. “‘Martin matters because she gives dignity to a longing for ‘something infinitely more harmonious and loving than the world can generally offer’." He’s brilliant and you’re a hero for magnetizing him.
Allan Watts is the best I can offer right now , such a lovely chap.
And the Hodler 🧡
This is how I feel often right now , but not so alone , sometimes I am the one sitting there. But more often lately am observing or have others in my life , and my hand is outstretched to them , but they cannot see it or do not dare to take it and feel that good. Sometimes it is me that does not dare 😅
Touches on the courage of and the purpose of the writer and the artist. Who via courage and the sheer force of their own love, pain and anguish, allows themselves to be seen.
I don’t know where to put this question - I signed up to attend Sarah’s subscriber event in Melbourne but I didn’t take note of exact time and location and can’t find any details? Could someone help me out? Thank you
'I love this idea…a gathering of tortured souls who meet to bear witness to each other’s laments.' I love this idea too and this might sound flippant but hear me out: I had terrible depression in my youth and I used to watch all the Bergman films (some from before my time but still when Liv Ullmann was in most of them, then I caught up to her - she's c 15 yrs older) and her first memoir mentioned how important her 'sewing circle' was. We laughed hysterically at this concept. But actually it's a great idea - and enduring. It can be a book club or a painting circle, whatever - a group you meet once-a-whatever to properly talk while you quietly do some craft or else talk with the book talk I guess. When my boyfriend died 20 plus yrs ago, my girlfriends and I would meet at our 'sewing circle' (one of the husbands called it our 'drinking circle'!) and just that quiet crafting with conversation was v healing for me. I recalled this when watching SBS On Demand's documentary series on Liv Ullmann, which I recommend - it's fantastic. - Penny from Braidwood.
Thanks Pen! A mending circle could be good...we all bring our socks...and broken hearts.
Oh and hand writing 👌🏼
Such an anchor ⚓️
This for me is a canary in the coal mine moment
My hand writing is quite lovely, a little in the vain or Shawn Stussy (I know I am a massive narcissist 😅). But it also becomes just a scrawl when I am moving outside of the realms and pace of life.
When I notice the scrawl, I know that it is time to slow the fuck down and breathe. And Yes! 🙌🏼 it is at the pace of life. A perfect tempo 🎶🥁
as a weapon against despair, Steve?
Absolutely 👌🏼
As having experienced a life at the opposite end of the spectrum of a narcissist, and many years allowing narcissists to influence me, I started to journal each morning to strengthen “my voice”.
Every morning just allowing the voice to bubble up from the belly, poetry, gibberish, wishes and dreams or agendas for the day. No filter or judgement.
Reconnects , brings the tears as art should , and brings me closer to myself and “god”.
And in these current days of despair , it allows me to wish, to hear myself, be heard by life, and allow the deafening silence and the tick of the clock to be heard. And then comes in the bird song, my daughter, the wind in the trees, a smile on my face and the day ☺️
😅 one and the same 👌🏼 teenage chitter chatter in the afternoons.
But actually in the mornings she stumbles out of her room in a preteen heavy eyed early morning “turn down that music dad” daze 😅
Those peak moments of creation , and the tears that accompany them , create a balance point to the despair
Exactly 👌🏼 that’s the purpose of exhaustion , it’s the safety valve to our own stupidity 😅 and luckily delivers us back to grace
OMG! I've been waiting for this for a long time. Two of my favourites in conversation.
Alain's book 'Art As Therapy' is worth a read too.
How beautiful Sarah. My share- more theological perhaps but deeply profound I think is James Finley. Beautiful man, dripping with grace. He wrote Merton’s Palace of Nowhere and recently released The Healing Path. I reckon this podcast gives a decent insight into his thinking and practice - https://open.spotify.com/episode/3mrEY8Ug2yta2vbhvI8niu?si=PdFbIxHQQMCwB_BcpbYS2w
Another gem in a similar vein is RichArd Rohr- Franciscan who established the Centre for Action and Contemplation in New Mexico- https://cac.org/
Thanks for you do.
You're the second person in 24 hours to flag James' work.
Yes, I quote Rohr's work around liminality in my next book...but need to go deeper into his stuff
Little sister 🧡
He nailed it with his interpretation, I see each second, each heart beat, her pain, and the depth of beauty, appreciation, and care and that it brings to her. And presence. Her work appears so delicate, and random. While perfectly imperfect, with universal uniformity running through it. Reminds me of sea shells, cliff walls, and flotsam on the shore line.
On a side note Sarah, I need to jump off here also for a bit. My daughter made a comment this morning after finding me reading a comment on my yoga mat. I explained to her what I was doing, (phones have been a gap between us for a long time) but she was correct in her saying yes, but it’s still the same energy dad.
I have not deleted Sub because I was looking forward to the Northern Rivers catch up. And I really enjoy the mature conversations here 😅. Do you have a date yet? Or if it’s not for a month of two, I will just delete and go into full monk mode for a few more weeks 👌🏼
Do what you need to do...I don't have a date, yet, but why don't you email media@sarahwilson.com and we will contact you direct
Looking forward to listening to your conversation with Alain. “Art is for crying with.” - ❤️
Art gives order to chaos.
John O’Donohue is another master philosopher and poet
yes, friends with David Whyte
Imagine having a beer in a pub on a windy cold Irish night with those two 😅 ☘️
https://www.johnodonohue.com/
Pain is such an inwardly felt and personal experience if it has manifested as despair of the mind. Even more so I imagine if you are naturally introverted and have had a negative experience with trust. So many other factors too.
This. “‘Martin matters because she gives dignity to a longing for ‘something infinitely more harmonious and loving than the world can generally offer’." He’s brilliant and you’re a hero for magnetizing him.
He's just brilliant!
The Hodler painting is so haunting 😱
the aloneness is palpable
And also the isolation. It could have been painted yesterday
they just need to be holding phones...
😅 yes and maybe a Stanley cup 😬
Allan Watts is the best I can offer right now , such a lovely chap.
And the Hodler 🧡
This is how I feel often right now , but not so alone , sometimes I am the one sitting there. But more often lately am observing or have others in my life , and my hand is outstretched to them , but they cannot see it or do not dare to take it and feel that good. Sometimes it is me that does not dare 😅
This came up on Spotify straight after listening to your podcast 😅
https://open.spotify.com/episode/4WD1oDhTNbnUGGlbiYKGhS?si=vziBQxRZS3ye41ViRqvnsw
Touches on the courage of and the purpose of the writer and the artist. Who via courage and the sheer force of their own love, pain and anguish, allows themselves to be seen.
And in turn allows us to see ourselves
Not his best performance but , relevant , and interesting his observation of the evolution of tech, how it will bring us pain but also more connection
And this “We will start to heal when we realize that we are in fact always extremely close to someone who is as wretched as we are.” Amen.
Through artistic expression we move something in our inner landscape; step one of de-isolating.
What is a synonym for weapon that isn’t a term of war, I wonder?
I don’t know where to put this question - I signed up to attend Sarah’s subscriber event in Melbourne but I didn’t take note of exact time and location and can’t find any details? Could someone help me out? Thank you