Painting the Dao

99 ak21.68 The Aesthetic of the Enquiring Mind Ink and watercolour on cloud-dragon paper 79 × 141 cm, Hong Kong, December 2021 Four artist seals 水松石山房 Shuisongshi shanfang (Water, Pine and Stone Retreat) 竹虛老人 Zhuxu laoren (Old man as empty inside as bamboo) 如如居士 Ruru Jushi (Retired scholar who believes all doctrines equal) 石狂 Shikuang (Stone fool) inscr iption The aesthetic of the enquiring mind is best fulfilled by those who aspire to transcending it. This may be better encouraged in some cultures than in others, but the urge is universal. Transcending the running commentary of the mind in order to gain the perspective to make sense of it all brings common cause to all who aspire. Transcendents are, of course, united beyond the Stage of Time, beyond all fragmenting definition. Creativity is the key; the most efficient conduit between aspiration and realisation and art, not as object but as process, is one of its purest expressions. The distinction between artist and audience is rendered illusory by full participation in what art does and why it does it at the highest level . Creativity is the fundamental force in the universe, fuelled by energy. All are unified, aspirati and transcendents, artists and audience, in a quest for self- realisation and fully-evolved consciousness. If you want to master this process it is useful to begin by being attentive to the more profound aspects of the process of art and to surround yourself with the playthings of the literati, for they are portals, direct and efficient, to the Dao. Inscribed by the Master of the Water, Pine and Stone Retreat at the Garden at the Edge of the Universe in the locked-down year of 2021 as Christmas jingles its bells yet again.