book eight: creating from wonder

Excerpt from wonder and wondering

We can talk about wonder and wondering in so many ways – it's one of those words in English that baffle foreign language students. We call something 'a wonder' when it is an astonishing thing or accomplishment like the Seven Wonders of the World, or when it is miraculous like the birth of a babe. It is also the "emotion excited by the perception of something novel and unexpected, or inexplicable." And sometimes this emotion of astonishment can be "mingled with perplexity or bewildered curiosity." (Shorter Oxford Dictionary) And again, it's the state of mind in which these emotions are held. When we observe something marvelous, wonder-full, we are filled with wonder, which is like being infused with awe.

But then we sometimes say "I wonder…" and there is a shift in meaning. To simply say, "I wonder" usually implies doubt. Yet to preface a phrase with "I wonder if…" is to imply curiosity. In French, it becomes "Je me demand …" – I ask myself. Then it implies that I'm going to explore, to inquire in and of myself about something. The way I've used the word wondering in this series of books embraces all these meanings. For to wonder in the sense of exploring, with doubt and curiosity, is to never be far from the wonder of marvel. Perhaps the greatest wonder of all is that we have the ability to wonder, to reflect. And to have that capacity as a natural by-product of being alive provides endless amazement.

The Greeks said that to marvel is the beginning of knowledge and where we cease to marvel we may be in danger of ceasing to know. Marvel and wonder go hand-in-hand, and their offspring is true learning. One of the most exciting things about the kind of activity that occurs in the art room is that it is firmly grounded in experimental processes. We are, as novice or professional artisans, deeply involved in both wonder and wondering. Questions are the life-blood of the artisan, and the prime question in any artisan's mind is "What if?" This is a question that makes many parents and teachers wince. At the same time, it's the one that generates exploration and experimentation in the fields of science, sports, philosophy – what area of human endeavor can be excluded from its penetrating, "But maybe…"?

creating from wonder is the final e-book in this series and the beginning of the synthesis of all the experiences we've had as we moved through the previous chapters. creating from wonder closes the circle. It brings us back to the wonder of perception and to the space in which that-which-is can speak. But we arrive there richer in every way – richer in insight, in technique, and in our ability to play with the unfamiliar. The empty canvas is our lover, at last. […]

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what's in book eight?

1  wonder and wondering

2  unfold your myth

3  veritable vestments

4  Buddha-body

5  the heart of the story

6  animated grey matter

7  a sanctuary for the
    secret senses

8  playing with process

9  metaphorically speaking

10 objets trouvée

11 deconstructing and
    recycling

12 shape-shifting

13 quantum realities

14 culture and creativity

15 the three questions