Work, Relaxation, Don't Think!

Recently I read Ray Bradbury’s “Zen in the Art of Writing”, a collection of essays on his love and devotion to his craft. In the book’s title essay he writes that he knew nothing of Zen until he read “Zen in the Art of Archery”, by Eugen Herrigel.

Bradbury writes:

“More than twelve years ago I wrote on my typing board at my right hand the words: Don’t Think! Can you blame me if, at this late date, I am delighted when I stumble upon verification of my instinct in Herrigel’s book on Zen?”

In the essay, he lays out the following three directives to access a well of creativity to express your true and unique self.

WORK

If you are familiar with Malcom Gladwell’s “10,000-hour rule”, this is what Bradbury means by work. Developing expertise by putting in the time practicing until the knowledge is embedded in your body. You no longer need to consciously tell your body what to do and are released from any obligation but the task at hand.

Which prepares the way to:

RELAXATION

This is also referred to as flow or being in the zone.

DON’T THINK!

The natural outcome of being in the zone. I have a sign on my studio wall with these directives. And while DON’T THINK! is a natural outcome of work and relaxation, it’s the one that gives me trouble. Thinking likes to sneak in when the other two are going about their business. Particularly thinking on the target (results) which I know is a sure way to get out of the zone.

Sign in my studio next to a painting in progress

So, this little reminder on the wall is very useful. Often, it’s all I need to snap me back to the present and the task at hand. And with practice, I’m getting better at it.

These directives speak to one of my favorite quotes:

“When you're in the studio painting, there are a lot of people in there with you - your teachers, friends, painters from history, critics... and one by one if you're really painting, they walk out. And if you're really painting YOU walk out.” -Phillip Guston

March 28, 2023