|
|
Symbolism and our creativity text
|
|
A Releasing Your Unlimited Creativity YouTube topic | |
|
Copyright 2024 by K. Ferlic, All Rights Reserved | |
| RYUC Home Why free? Contact Contributions | |
|
Link to web video
Link to YouTube video Video Text
In exploring our creativity one aspect that is not readily recognized is how often we use symbols and how powerful they are or can be. This discussion is about bringing our attention and awareness to how symbols are routinely used and how we may use the understanding of the symbols to expand what we can creatively do. For those who may not be familiar with symbols and how they routinely operate what is provided here is a brief discussion on the concept of the symbol and examples of the use of symbol. In exploring our creativity one aspect that is not readily recognized is how often we use symbols and how powerful they are or can be. This discussion is about bringing our attention and awareness to how symbols are routinely used and how we may use the understanding of the symbols to expand what we can creatively do. For those who may not be familiar with symbols and how they routinely operate what is provided here is a brief discussion on the concept of the symbol and examples of the use of symbol. 0:33 What is a symbol A symbol represents an object, a function, or a process. It is something which represents or stands for something. A good example of a symbol are rings that we put on our fingers. The ring has several uses and symbolized many things over time and in a variety of different cultures. 0:51 The ring in its various forms One symbol of which most are probably aware is the wedding ring. Traditionally, when a male and female get married or make some other types of commitments between each other they put a ring on the finger to symbolize that commitment. Usually it is a commitment one person makes to the other within the society that they live. It is acknowledged that they will live together somehow or in some kind of relationship that is usually acceptable to the society in which they live. Obviously what is acceptable in one society may not be acceptable another. But nevertheless the ring on that finger symbolizes the commitment between the two individuals as to what the relationship will be between them. Nevertheless the wedding ring symbolized a commitment to another individual and a way of living and being in the society in which the two individuals find themselves. Similarly traditionally, fraternity or organizational rings were bestowed on individuals who became inducted into the organization after some probationary period and initiation of some type. Here the ring symbolizes the individual wearing the ring has meet the standards for the organization which bestowed the ring and that the individual live in accordance with the rules, standards, morals, philosophy and the like of the organization. Acceptance of the ring can be seen as the formalization of the agreement to live by the standards and highest principles of the bestowing organization. In the same way the traditional college class graduation rings represents a fulfilment of a degree requirement of particular educational organization. But again wearing the class ring is a demonstration of a loyalty to that organization for which they wear the ring and supposedly a commitment to live in accordance with the principles for which the organization was founded and represented in the education it provided. Then there is the jewelry that people wear. Some rings have large or expensive jewels in them or very impressive metal work. These type of rings can be seen as just sort of ego gratification and saying look at me look what I can afford and look how prestigious I am because of this ring that I wear. In the same way a lot of people wear costume jewelry or different kinds of rings just because they like them. But wearing rings for whatever reason they symbolize something to the one who wears them and often to the other members of the society in which the person wearing the ring lives. Sometimes they ring is simply representative of what is important to the individual. For example wearing a ring with some very elegant jewels on it is obviously very important to the wearer and makes a statement as to what the individual perceives as important . As such it may not mean anything to anybody else because nobody else cares about those jewels on the ring. So the question is what is the ring as a symbol representing. What does that say about the individual who uses that symbol and what does it mean for their way of life relative to that symbol 3:45 Road signs Then there are symbols typical of the information of highway road signs. A road sign is a symbol that represents something whether it is a speed sign, a warning of hazards or just information. The shape of the signs are also part of the communication in the symbol. Some signs are octagonal, some are square shape, some are triangle and some our round. Then there are the colors and different colors have different meanings. 4:10 Flags Then of course there is the use of flags. Traditionally flags were use to help identify troops on a battle field or as a rallying point in a battle. They also served as the cause for which the troops were fighting and creating sense of unity. Much in line with the old expression “rally around the flag boys.” In essence flags have always been use to inspire the individual who were loyal to that flag. Often today the flag or symbol of the flag is still use to inspire people and to help remind individuals of their heritage and the culture behind the flag. When a flag was raised over a piece of land the full power of the organization which give rise to the flag was represent being present at that location. Two different flags raised together represented a union of the two organizations in some way. The flag can be a symbol of military power, economic power, social customs and a way of being in the world or political power or perspective. 5:05 Mathematical equations Then there are the mathematical equations used to represent physical principles or laws within physical creation. The simple formula F=ma, force equals the mass time acceleration represents a vast and powerful understanding of Creation. Namely, how a force operates. Yet the formula F=ma is only a symbol. 5:28 General comment So there’s many different ways you can use symbols. Sometimes they are just to provide information about a specific situation and how to address the situation. Other times they provide a demonstration of loyalty by claiming the symbol and way of being the symbol represents. Or they can represent vast understanding about that which it represents. In any case sometimes symbols are the most effective way to communicate information. 5:54 Models, paradigms, myths, stories In the journey of exploration our creativity it was rather obvious symbols are a very powerful tool in our creative activities. Models and paradigms are also symbols. Any model is only a representation and symbol of what the model represents. The seven chakras, the Kababalah tree of life, the periodic table, and the like are all ways of symbolically conveying complex ideas or concepts. Stories, myths, fable, parables, allegories are all story like narratives often convey a secondary meaning or meanings in a symbolic form rather than explicitly. These are often used in ways to tap into the emotions of reader or listener to help the see a bigger picture. 6:36 Rituals and the coconut ritual Rituals can be very powerful symbols and one such ritual is discussed here. Rituals are about taking some type of action with the body that somehow represents an intention that we wish to manifest. Probably the best way to see how a ritual can be used symbolically is the coconut ritual when one desires to transform their ego from that which seems to oppose what they desire to create to something that better supports their creative efforts. In this type of ritual, the ritual is about creating a seed condition that can grow into a way of being in the world.. The coconut is chosen as a symbol in that it has a very hard outer shell that must be broken into to get at that parts that are edible. The coconut seed contains the hard shell and a white meat can be eaten and the liquid the coconut milk can be drunk to give life. Our ego and the identity we create is like a hard outer shell created by our conscious as a vehicle for our experience in physical creation. We respond to life based on the ego we have created. If we want to transform our ego we somehow have to shed and let go of the ego identity we have and create a new ego more representative of what we desire to experience in life. In setting the intention to transform our ego, the coconut is seen symbolically as our ego. One first completes the appropriate preparation. The preparations is about getting clarity on what we desire to create establish what we are desiring to change and why. The ritual is to set the intention to transform oneself, in particular the ego and what we think and believe, to be open to meet the changes that are occurring in our life. When we have done all the appropriate preparatory actions we use an appropriate instrument to break or crack open the coconut shell to get into the interior of the coconut. Breaking the shell is symbolic of the willingness of breaking and or shattering our current ego structure. Once the shell is cracked one can drain out any milk and continues to get at the interior of the coconut and pick out the edible pieces. Once the edible pieces are obtained one can eat and drink the interior edible parts. Eating the edible parts is symbolically representative of recycling the past ego identity and being nourished from the past to build a new identity more suitable to the life changes that are occurring. It is not about throwing away the past. Rather it is about using the past that is useful and discarding the remainder. Whatever prayers, petitions, actions, gestures and the like one feels necessary and appropriate can be used in performing this ritual This ritual acts as a demarcation point. The memory of it will catalyze creating a new identity. It defines a point in time that we have shattered the past identity we have created knowing full well that we will take parts of that past to nourish our new life. 9:23 View the body symbolically Then of course there is the symbolism of our body. There are variety of way to see the body symbolically Eleven are discussed in the recording “ Why view the body symbolically.” To see our body symbolically is to claim the awesome power and capability available in and through the our body. Donations Donations and contributions can be made through this link
Donation/Contribution Link, click here.
Related topics
|
|
