Reincarnation [#041224]

04/02/24

I've been thinking a lot about reincarnation lately. Like, what if it's real? I happen to think it is, in a sense. Energy cannot be cre- ated or destroyed. Mostly, I have been thinking about artistic energy and the ability to connect to the cosmos, the universe, the muse, whatever you want to call it. What if Rembrandt 'a energy has arrived in several other bodies in succession since his death in the 17th century? Or what if it arrived, but was never utilised because its new host was born into war, poverty, violence. and it was unable to be expressed? Is/was Rembrandt a unique freak of his time and place, never to be seen or felt again, or vas he a moment in time, a blip or burst of unadulterated creative conscious- ness that has arrived again and again somewhere, somehow else?

I wonder if there is an objective truth to the expression of his creativity as it seems to be aimed quite squarely at the way that the divine expresses itself in the lives of ordinary people? I'm curious if there is a line or a truth that art should follow in order to get us closer to God, the Universe, what- ever it is you can call that thing behind the curtain. And then I think, well maybe there is something objective about aiming for the truth. Maybe I'm supposed to pick up where he left off. Who was it who said they could only see so far because they stand on the shoulders of giants? When I look at a great painting. I am incredibly lucky because I get to see a lifetime of work, experimentation and trials. all rolled up nicely into one beautiful, truthful package and that is a real privilege. On a more practical note, I can build upon their technique, use it to my advantage. Cherry-pick the best bits and throw away what I don't need so that I can keep moving forward to the destination I don't yet know.