(MS) As Above; So Below

"Waking up to who you are requires letting go of who you imagine yourself to be." — Alan Watts.

A collection of natural images such as the ground of a forest, desert extending higher through the natural layers of our existence (moving through the trees, to the mountains, sky, then stars) showing our place in this reality of current. — (source: Moony Thinker)

As shown in my Motivation Series list here on Medium, you can see that I create digital collages. I like to create these digital collages because they hold a nugget of recall within each, reminding me how to overcome one of my reoccurring internal struggles.

This collage is called: As Above, So Below

The flow of this collage is taking the perspective of the self from the Earth's floor and looking up through each layer of our known existence. We are from the ground beneath our feet to the stars above our heads, but a simple life is standing and watching history unfold before us and all around us.

This collage was created to remind me to practice a humble self of importance to achieve my fullest self-awareness. Looking at this collage, I see and sense that I am but a single speck-of-a-speck within this entire expansive universe we are currently sharing.

Layered background hills and mountain image with Alan Watt’s quote printed: The meaning of life is just to be alive. It is so plain and so obvious and so simple. And yet, everybody rushes around in a great panic as if it were necessary to achieve something beyond themselves. — (source)

Truthfully, narcissism has never been a trait I have held for long or invested much time into. However, it is a trait that could become alluring if I do not recognize where it may seep seductively into my consciousness judgments. For example, let's say I get a positive experience within the art community for one or some of my works. This could easily lead to me becoming overconfident in my creativity, leading to me taking for granted the art, the audience, the community, and the generosity of the experience overall.

To help remind me of this importance, I regularly meditate on how to practice being more humble.

Here within The Herb #2, I have As Above, So Below printed and framed, positioned just above my work-from-home computer desk. I placed it here since I have a regular hourly job where I work with many other people on various subjects and projects. During my work, there are multiple times when I come across others who are not as quick-witted about the materials and projects as I might be. Though the cliche expectation of individuals in my position seems to be one who behaves with sarcastic frustration towards these others, I remind myself that in my advanced understanding, I need to slow down and share with others so that they may become my equals.

Rather than being a self-absorbed asshat, I instead reach out to an individual or group who is struggling and offer my assistance to help educate and strengthen their position. As a team, we are stronger; as individuals, we are weaker.

Moreover, I look to this collage to remind myself that my existence is minute and brief. That I am rooted here on the ground in a universe that is wide, diverse, and little understood. To seek self-awareness through being humble everywhere and never frustrate my self advancements by investing in falsehoods of superiority over anyone.

A graphic image with Alan Watts face presented next to a quote by him sharing: “For there is never anything but the present, and if one cannot live there, one cannot live anywhere.” — (source)

Be well, my friends.

— MT

If this collage connects with you, feel free to save it, print it, and use it for your own. Or, maybe it has motivated you to create your own discipline-themed collage, all the better.