Contrasts
“There
is no quality in this world that is not what it is merely by
contrast. Nothing exists in itself.”
Herman
Melville
When I was learning how
to paint, the instructor had us examine picture after picture to see
the contrasts in depth of color. We were told not to look at the
objects in a photo or a painting, but only at the contrast in light
and shadow, in depth and lightness of hue of the same color. We
learned how to take one dollop of paint and adjust it up or down by
adding white or black. We learned how to show distance by relative
size and direction of angles. Contrast is what provides context in
all our dimensions.
Likewise with human
beings. We consciously or unconsciously see contrasts; between what
we see on the outside and what we experience on the inside. When we
perceive a difference between another person's words and their deeds,
we become cautious. When there is a contrast between what we are
seeing and hearing, and what we are feeling on the inside, we
experience discomfort. Our energetic perception is telling us one
thing, and our eyes and ears are telling us another.
Contrasts may be obvious
or they may be subtle. We rely upon them to add a tremendous amount
of non-verbal information. We may look at someone's face, see their
smile, and hear their laughter, but notice that their eyes do not
follow suit. We instantly feel that disconnect and it creates
suspicion within us. This type of perception comes from an older,
often wiser, part of the body/mind.
Contrasts are crucial to
providing the full story, whether we are painting a picture, writing
music, or making important life decisions. We are on solid ground
when we consider all incoming and internal information, and make our
decisions when body, brain and soul are aligned.
In the Spirit,
Jane
No comments:
Post a Comment