When we look at the usage of thought as a means or as an attempt to solve one’s problems, we find that it’s akin to trying to extinguish a fire by pouring gasoline on the flames. The creator of the problem pretends to be able to solve the problem, and its very movement is problematic, to say the least, in this domain.
A vapor rises from a silent lake in the morning, barely seen, barely noticed. A human passes by, seeing the glory of that tender, mighty gentleness, and feels the need to bring it to the rest of mankind by talking about it, writing about it, creating about it. And all those creations—which are perceived with great appreciation by the ignorance of mankind—are not seen as mere descriptions, which stand in opposition to the nature of that vapor rising from the silent lake early at dawn or late at night, when no one adds anything to it.
All this is to explain, to shed light on, to clarify the role of ECHO as a tool. ECHO is a personal reflection on thoughts, to be seen as such without praise, without condemnation. And as thoughts are seen—the ever-unfolding ideation, imagination, problem creation, problem-solving creation, etc.—there is the start of standing apart from all this movement. The start comes from not knowing, where the very mind admits not being able to add anything, and the start presents itself by itself without you knowing how.
That which is often described in ECHO as ‘Aimless-Openness’ is truly sacred. But not the description of it, not the experience of it, not the practice of it—the actuality of it. This is the thing that is most precious to find, and yet no one can hold it in their hands and present something that they found. It is only found in the now, when the start of not knowing is manifested as a free creative flow.
Amihai Loven
Original recording https://voicenotes.com/s/1ijnxW
