Vulnerability & Art – TAO LP 11

When exploring and deepening your creative self, you will discover the greatness of vulnerability and the importance of sensitivity.

Those are strengths and should never be seen as weaknesses in any way. There is confusion due to the lack of information and conversation on those subjects.
One cannot truly go into deep creation and art without opening up, being vulnerable and sensitive.

Vulnerability is the ability to be authentic, to connect, to be seen.
It is the openness to feel what is real, the ability to let go, surrender, lose control as to allow and embrace your true nature.
To avoid being vulnerable is to cut yourself out of a fully lived life.
It’s like walls of fear and control around your heart.
Yes, it takes strength to be vulnerable, it is an act of bravery.

Applied to the arts, one must embrace the feelings coming in while being open to feeling, all through the journey and the unknowns of creation.

Fearing to fail. Failing is unavoidable, getting disappointing results is a must for learning.
Even if it feels horrible sometimes, we all go through this.
It can feel counterintuitive but we should embrace and surrender to those times when everything comes out wrong. The failures make us more vulnerable and enrich life immensely.
As light painters, we all had incredible results, little miracles happening, but we know that showing up with lights and a camera won’t guarantee these will happen again every time. It is a form of vulnerability we expose ourselves to. Knowing that sometimes it’s great and sometimes not, is a risk we take in a way.

Can you be vulnerable to yourself? No relationship can be complete with trust and vulnerability. Meaning the relationship with yourself, your art, and the others.
Sometimes our shiness is not because of the others, it is present even when we are alone or when creating. Afraid to be vulnerable alone, truly facing yourself, without distractions.

To be sensitive is to read the language of feelings and emotions.
To be sensitive is to be open, vulnerable, in a state of presence and connection with your senses including all emotions, and intuitive intelligence. I’ve been meeting more and more sensitive and beautiful souls, people I can connect with deeply and authentically. It’s such a nourishing joy, a privilege to do so. It brings lots of hope to the future of this world. I believe we will create a better world through sensitive, vulnerable, and connected people. Creation is the answer when happening in the heart.

Talking about the heart, here is a nice quote found in this article linked below.
It was Rumi who said: “Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it.”
More insightful reading here:
https://medium.com/the-mission/how-to-embrace-vulnerability-as-your-greatest-strength-d2ac2b80ba52

In March 2020, when Covid starting exploding here, I deleted my social media accounts. After 14 years of social media, I felt a repetitive, consuming, non-evolving relationship with these media. Covid was the perfect timing to opt-out.
To stop the noise, the addiction, and take a different direction with my art and how to interact with life in general. I did myself a favor. It was strange at first, especially that social media did create so much good through sharing, spreading light painting, and connecting with others.
After closing all personal accounts, the emptiness it created allowed me to reflect, learn, and refocus my time towards other dreams I have. My life became simple, more balanced, and happier. I’ve learned and grown so much in less than a year, the creativity is thriving, the relationship with myself is healthier, and I know exactly where I’m going next, building every day, step by step, projects that are dear to me. This new time is nourishing and makes sense to me.
Empty space allowed so much to come in. Less is more.

There is a great documentary called The Social Dilemma, a must for all of us: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaaC57tcci0

Here are a few other good references and inspiration I’d like to share with you.

An Art Made of Trust, Vulnerability and Connection. This artist explores, through intense performances, vulnerability, presence, and trust.

Marina Abramovic also has a great documentary available on HBO and Netflix. Artist is Present Trailer:

Of course, Brene Brown, who opened the conversation widely with this TED talk, a must.

She has a great live show available on Netflix: The Call to Courage. Here is the trailer:

Best to you in your creative adventures.

TAO LP  (The Art Of Light Painting).