Engagement with Life!

There is just one phenomenon that is perpetually going on infinitely: conversion of space into manifested form and dissolution of form into space – the cyclic pattern continuous. On a cosmic scale, space, form, force (gravity), light, time (and therefore perception) are interrelated. Hence, can we say that space is different from form OR is the form only an expression of space and that too – which undergoes constant change?! The process of conversion of space to form and form to space can be regarded as “engagement” by the Creative Force.

At the human level of existence (in biological terms) – this cyclic pattern is demonstrated as space – body + mind (place/ form and time) – space again. With this logic, it appears that ‘we’ may encounter million lives, each with a different set of body and a unique mind, and each life will eventually meet the formless space.

At the human level of consciousness, the cyclic pattern can be realized as space – idea/thought – process or action – manifestation or product – decoding of product to imagine the process – decoding the process to imagine the idea – decoding the idea to experience space….and the cycle from space to product to space continuous. It means that thoughts are a part of the chain of events that lead to action and making of built environments. And conversely, by observing the built environments, we can imagine the processes behind those and the ideas that seem to be hinted/ revealed by observing the built environment. In two words, we are involved in thoughts that led to conception of a form and the perception of the form/space. Therefore, ANY kind of a thought can lead to a manifested situation and any situation can be interpreted to reveal many ideas or thoughts. Thus, we operate with intentions and perceptions.

Lets examine each step. Space is formless – that contains the potential to generate anything. Hence, it is the most potent element.

From space, we have ‘thoughts’ – which mean intentions, tendencies, concerns, values etc. All such thoughts are bounded by the body – mind construct. Because there is a body, there is a mind to address the issue of existence. Thoughts tend to materialize everything – from concerns to issues to fears to hunger to desires etc – that’s the nature of thoughts and therefore they generate a manifested built environment! We prefer those thoughts that exhibit dependence of Nature and express empathy and comprehensiveness of all creations. We prefer those thoughts that expand our own self created mind boundaries and attempt to include all. We prefer those thoughts therefore, that come from the understanding of geography, history and philosophy. Having known which thoughts need to be preferred, an individual can be trained to inculcate such tendencies of thoughts, because finally, they would be creating a subsequent reality!

Thoughts lead to processes – which means, thought will contain a necessity (or urge) to manifest into something. It is concerned with ‘how can I make this happen?’ It is concerned with ACTION. Hence, process becomes important. Pure thoughts necessarily will lead to pure action. Impure/ grosser thoughts will likewise lead to grosser processes. Just thinking is not sufficient; you will be ‘compelled’ to DO something about it! That’s the Force of creativity you are encountering!

Processes lead to manifestation – either as art, architecture or anything else. The quality of manifestation will therefore depend on previous steps of thoughts and processes.

Lets see the reverse case.

The manifestation (art, architecture or any situation of people or person etc) will be ‘perceived’ by us in multiple ways. The perception depends on our own desires, concerns, values etc. The manifestation will lead us to know the process (in order to understand the situation). The process or a pattern of doing things will lead us to realize certain values/ concerns – which are nothing but thoughts or ideas. Where are ideas coming from? Space!

In life, pain, happiness are the forms of engagement – thoughts trying to manifest something. Being involved with life – means to be engaged in the act of creation (from space to form and from form to space again). The emphasis on “control” of thoughts means to create sensitively and responsibly and to also transform responsibly. The emphasis on “control” of thoughts means to be aware of the compulsions of cyclic nature of thoughts to manifestations and being engaged with the world likewise!