“ This is why we we cannot use the plot templates of the ordinary world. There is no room for art in diagrams. We must create a portal for something new to be birthed.”
I am curious to see what is on the other side of the the threshold. Perhaps a better title would be "At the Threshold," as the threshold does not seemed to have been crossed yet. The question for me is--How exactly do you cross that threshold? Is something needed to open the portal? I am not certain that writing, meditation, or even hallucinogens are enough to do it. I just finished writing my "morning pages" and concluded that one important thing that I am overlooking in my life is the "exploration of my inner world." But I stopped writing at that exact point and circled the phrase. Why? Because I could not figure out a way to start that journey. I can visualize a door frame and a landscape beyond. What comes next?
These are great observations and questions, Lynn. I don’t believe there are exact answers with this but its common to see a character cross the threshold once they accept their call to adventure- whatever that may be for them. Sometimes the character gets swept away like Dorothy in a tornado and ending up in Oz. When Harry Potter cross platform 9 3/4 he didn’t exactly have a choice either, it seemed fated though there are others who do so voluntarily.
I think you’re also onto something about the internal journey not being enough. There likely needs to be some corresponding external journey, at least to my Western mind. Tripping can easily be a false awakening, people can ruminate in therapy for years, and writing can be avoidant. You are giving me much to think and write about. Thanks for the comment.
It is interesting that in both Dorothy and Harry's cases the call to adventure comes from an external source (the tornado sweeps her away; the letter from Hogwarts). Particularly in Harry's case, he would not have been able to sit in the broom closet and source the adventure from his own mind. I'm not sure where that leaves us as the writer of the story or what to do if the "call to adventure" never comes. Do we just sit in the broom closet and wait--writing, tripping, gaming, bemoaning our fate--unable to cross the threshold until someone (or something) else opens the door--something that we cannot control?
To offer a slightly different example (there are probably better ones I can’t recall) Neo in the Matrix makes the choice to take the red pill as opposed to the blue pill that would take him back to the ordinary world. There are endless variations but some do show a clear choice made rather than fate. So I believe free will is a factor.
I think not having a clear path is a common existential modern problem though I’ve found some progress focusing on whats right under my nose - taking on more responsibility in work and relationships as corny as it may sound. Again, not everyone will have the same journey or opportunities but I think of Kevin Spacey in American Beauty as the opposite of how I approach it as he quits his job and leaves his family I would say to engage in those things further (advice to myself). Your questions give me a lot to consider.
“ This is why we we cannot use the plot templates of the ordinary world. There is no room for art in diagrams. We must create a portal for something new to be birthed.”
Amazing line. Great intro.
I am curious to see what is on the other side of the the threshold. Perhaps a better title would be "At the Threshold," as the threshold does not seemed to have been crossed yet. The question for me is--How exactly do you cross that threshold? Is something needed to open the portal? I am not certain that writing, meditation, or even hallucinogens are enough to do it. I just finished writing my "morning pages" and concluded that one important thing that I am overlooking in my life is the "exploration of my inner world." But I stopped writing at that exact point and circled the phrase. Why? Because I could not figure out a way to start that journey. I can visualize a door frame and a landscape beyond. What comes next?
These are great observations and questions, Lynn. I don’t believe there are exact answers with this but its common to see a character cross the threshold once they accept their call to adventure- whatever that may be for them. Sometimes the character gets swept away like Dorothy in a tornado and ending up in Oz. When Harry Potter cross platform 9 3/4 he didn’t exactly have a choice either, it seemed fated though there are others who do so voluntarily.
I think you’re also onto something about the internal journey not being enough. There likely needs to be some corresponding external journey, at least to my Western mind. Tripping can easily be a false awakening, people can ruminate in therapy for years, and writing can be avoidant. You are giving me much to think and write about. Thanks for the comment.
It is interesting that in both Dorothy and Harry's cases the call to adventure comes from an external source (the tornado sweeps her away; the letter from Hogwarts). Particularly in Harry's case, he would not have been able to sit in the broom closet and source the adventure from his own mind. I'm not sure where that leaves us as the writer of the story or what to do if the "call to adventure" never comes. Do we just sit in the broom closet and wait--writing, tripping, gaming, bemoaning our fate--unable to cross the threshold until someone (or something) else opens the door--something that we cannot control?
To offer a slightly different example (there are probably better ones I can’t recall) Neo in the Matrix makes the choice to take the red pill as opposed to the blue pill that would take him back to the ordinary world. There are endless variations but some do show a clear choice made rather than fate. So I believe free will is a factor.
I think not having a clear path is a common existential modern problem though I’ve found some progress focusing on whats right under my nose - taking on more responsibility in work and relationships as corny as it may sound. Again, not everyone will have the same journey or opportunities but I think of Kevin Spacey in American Beauty as the opposite of how I approach it as he quits his job and leaves his family I would say to engage in those things further (advice to myself). Your questions give me a lot to consider.