The Third Self: Mary Oliver on the Artist's Task

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April 23, 2018 a project of ServiceSpace When the spirit does not work with the hand, there is no art. - Leonardo Da Vinci - The Third Self: Mary Oliver on the Artist's Task In "Of Power and Time" found in "Upstream: Selected Essays," poet Mary Oliver delves deep into the psyche of the artist and explores the external and internal factors affecting creativity. In it she describes three parts of herself -- two ordinary ones, and one third self "where the wellspring of creative energy resides." This third self cannot be controlled, and is often its worst enemy. "What does it have to say? That you must phone the dentist, that you are out of mustard, that your uncle Stanley’s birthday is two weeks hence. . . . Then you return to your work, only to find that the imps of idea have fled back into the mist." Here, Brainpickings' Maria Popova masterfully weaves a discourse on creativity's friends and foes using Oliver's brilliant insights as well as quotes and concepts from other artists. Read on for more. { read more } Be The Change Click the link below for more wisdom on creativity from Mary Oliver on Brainpickings. { more } COMMENT | RATE               Related Good News The Disease of Being Busy The Benefits of Learning to Be Kind to Yourself Two Words That Can Change a Life 5 Habits to Heal the Heart of Democracy How to Age Gracefully On the Relationship Between Failure, Humility and Wisdom Dying to Be Me What Mindfulness is Missing DailyGood is a volunteer-run initiative that delivers "good news" to 245,339 subscribers. There are many ways to help. To unsubscribe, click here. Other ServiceSpace projects include: KindSpring  //  KarmaTube  //  Conversations  //  Awakin  //  More