“Art, poetry, music, all forms of true beauty, prayer, and meditation—these are the things that will save us as individuals and, if we're lucky, civilization.” -Joseph Massey, of Dispatches From the Basement (a poet who’s here on Substack)
Art Music and poetry is Heart. When you apply heart and intuition you got in to non thinking state which is good. Mind produce Crony Capitalism. Heart produce conscious capitalism. World needs conscious capitalist.
I feel this quote to be true for such beauty hits the soul of the matter, it a form of love soothing our existence amongst life turbulence! I don't see how there could be an argument; that forms of any beauty could not save ourselves and civilization. For when we our engage, embracing such beauty we are at peace within ourselves and surrounding; our souls our at home in the "Thin Places" of transcendence amongst a paradoxical earthly realm... Although if someone did have an argument, I be very intrigued to what that is... Beauty saves lives, literally has save my; as the angles pull back the clouds, painting love amongst a setting hue, taking a step back from the ledge to feel the beauty, just a little be longer, longer and longer... May beauty save us all peace, peace, peace 💙
“Art, poetry, music, all forms of true beauty…..etc. “ Can save us individually because those are things, like nature, that we can draw on everyday in nearly every location. As I accompanied my husband on his decades long journey through a chronic illness, it was music and blue skies or sunsets and birdsong, poetry or flowers that became the small regular respites I could count on during the days (and weeks) I couldn’t leave the house for more than a few minutes. Those micro meditations with a few breaths of fresh air, fed my soul and body. Many days, those were all the relief I had. And it was enough. 💚
As a person with an introverted personality, I spent years trying to understand why I often felt out of place in my social circles. Now, as an adult, I’ve come to realize that many of those moments led me to discover a sense of peace and personal freedom—without needing to rely on external validation or the stimuli of others, as society often makes us believe.
During my childhood and adolescence, music and reading became my faithful companions. They allowed me to experience a deep, unique connection that I couldn’t find in relationships with others. Now, as an adult, I’ve learned that life is far from perfect—that it is full of challenges and tribulations. Yet, I’ve slowly come to understand that the true magic of life lies in the small details.
My father left me one of life’s most valuable lessons: to find beauty in the little things. Whether it’s noticing the forest or the plants while driving instead of staring at a phone screen, sitting by the sea and watching a sunset, planting flowers in your garden, reading a good book, listening to music, or appreciating the art others work so hard to create—a painting, a sculpture, a mural.
In today’s fast-paced world, overflowing with superficial stimuli that often fail to nourish the soul, these simple aspects of life are treasures. They remind us that true fulfillment comes not from what society tries to sell us as happiness, but from self-discovery and cherishing life’s genuine, meaningful moments.
“Art, poetry, music, all forms of true beauty, prayer, and meditation—these are the things that will save us as individuals and, if we're lucky, civilization.” -Joseph Massey ~ while these forms of attention can be transcendental, awe inspiring and uplifting I don't believe this is a recipe that will save all of humanity....pieces of the puzzle absolutely, what about storytelling? or breaking bread in community? or reading? or dancing? or learning a new language? or studying a different faith than what you were raised with? etc etc
Sorry, one more thing to add (although possibly not the last...?)
At a more immediate, accessible level, I was at a concert on Monday night in Brisbane. The band was a Scottish outfit from the early 90s who are still going strong and also recorded a few crossover rock/alternative/indie/dance classics, which seemed to attract a crowd spanning several decades. It was a brilliant performance of musicianship and showmanship; building to an adrenaline-high climax. As the energy levels soared, the crowd became more and more involved; dancing, smiling singing, chanting and clapping, hands raised with fists, fingers and even peace signs, all bound together in a moment of a shared experience. I often think about this at music experiences, whether it's a live concert at a venue or festival, and even sometimes with DJ sets in clubs or dance music events. If only some parts of these shared feelings could be reproduced elsewhere, then a lot of the world's problems could be minimised. I know this is hardly a new idea, but why does something that happens so easily over and over again, all over the world seem so difficult to generate outside the arts world?
Your question (and the above quotation) left me reeling, yesterday. I often say to people that "music is my lifeblood"; I can't imagine existing without it. I often think about listening to, or experiencing (or sometimes playing) music, as the happy place where I can relax, feel pleasure, deal with stress, or let go of any negative emotions.
I have so many thoughts around the above quotation, I've been struggling to combine them comprehensively into one single answer explanation. So, I've decide to maybe add them as stream-of-consciousness ideas:
My immediate thought was of some of the projects that have involved bringing together people different cultures, languages and regions all over the such as "Playing for Change".
One of the most recent and certainly most powerful, thought-provoking and emotionally-charged examples was their version of Led Zeppelin's "When the Levee Breaks" two years ago. Obviously, this also highlights the issue we all face, with Climate Change. Link here: https://youtu.be/LH0-WXUFY2k?si=r5lR8Rd5wGYPG6Gg
The other project that really struck me was the film, "One Giant Leap 2: What About Me?" which relates directly to how music can connect us all. (And possibly save us?) It's far too complex and mind-blowing for me to even try to explain here, so I'll let you read the summary:
Art, poetry, music, all forms of true beauty, prayer, and meditation—these are the things that will save us as individuals and, if we’re lucky, civilisation. - Joseph Massey. I love Joseph’s quote but will add a bit more: what will save us is the realisation that there is a God, and we are not it.
Being made in God’s image, as described in the Book of Genesis, is a profound theological idea with far-reaching implications. As beings created in the image of the Creator, humans inherit a drive to create. Embracing what is inherent within us inspires the creation of literature, art, music, architecture, and more. In crafting these expressions, we tap into a higher plane of consciousness.
“The author of creativity longs for you to barge in, break open the gift you have been saving.” - Makoto Fujimura
The capacity for imagination is a unique human trait. Through these creative acts, we connect to something greater than the sum of our biology. The imaginative spark inherent in humanity reflects God’s creative nature. Whether crafting or experiencing a compelling story, creating or admiring a masterpiece, or composing or listening to a symphony, we feel the presence of the Creator within us.
I was brought up Catholic and went to Catholic schools for 12 years. One of the things missing in my life is that feeling of spirit, prayer and meditation. I have not gone in a Catholic Church for mass in years. I feel the church has failed us on multiple levels.
I search for my prayer and mediations remotely. People I follow on Instagram and books I read.
I have felt for years that God is in nature, music, art and the kindness of others.
But never before have I felt it as much as when I was in Kiev last fall. I was in concerts where people - the musicians as well as the audience - came together in spite of the danger of the daily bombings. I have never before felt so much how the musicians gave their all, their heart and soul, to hand over by means of their music the power of love, strength and courage to the audience, and how in the very moment it resonated with the people and returned to the musicians manifold. I‘ve been to so many concerts throughout my life and enjoyed them all. But I had never experienced anything like that. I cried all through the performance (Vivaldi‘s and Piazzolla‘s Four Seasons), because it moved me so much - it opened a door to the universal greater force that gives all of us consolation. It sounds inadequate when I write this because it’s difficult to describe. My Ukrainian friends who took me said they try and go as often as possible because this is where they draw hope and strength for their life and work. They are physicians who are daily saving lives of those wounded by this war’s brutality. They also say, sometimes there are attacks during the concerts; then everyone goes down to the shelters together, sometimes for hours, before they return and finish the concert together. Music and art joins people without words, it is who we are, beyond all borders, and it carries us any time . This is just one example… there are many more that come to mind.
I often thought in this context of your Sarayevo Cellist!
In whatever way I can help you there with your proposal, I‘ll be happy to!
With this glimpse into your plans, I‘m even more looking forward to your book 😊! No pressure included 😉
I copy/pasted this quote from Joseph Massey before I even read onward to see that you had an ask...the document I saved the quote in is a file I have for 'quotes on writing', to remind me when I need it - and as a writer, I often need it - that this fundamental work saves peoples' lives. It has saved me, in part because I experience healing in the writing process as a survivor of complex trauma. I know the same is true for artists of all kinds, and from all backgrounds. To me, it is the intersection of the physical realm with the spiritual. So much of what you write about - those things we know to be true but are hard to quantify and definitely not validated by the status quo - is at this intersection. I find that in order to keep writing, I have to connect with the spiritual side of it, and quotes like this help me to do that. I could write so much more! I'm excited about your new book.
The world didn't have to be beautiful. So much of life could have been ordered around pure function. But it is beautiful in so many ways. Humans could have subsisted on only a few foods--but instead, we have and continue to innovate a vast variety of ingredients, methodologies, and preparations to make hundreds of thousands of different combinations of dishes, all to perform the very basic function of giving energy and nutrients to our bodies.
And although all of the artistic endeavors are often viewed in our culture as unnecessary, extravagant luxuries, people have been incorporating beauty, symmetry, form, rhythm, harmony, delight, and unnecessary, extravagant luxuries into life since as far back as we can discover. The primal impulse to make a mark, to create something that exists outside of us is an essential part of humanity.
“Art, poetry, music, all forms of true beauty, prayer, and meditation—these are the things that will save us as individuals and, if we're lucky, civilization.” -Joseph Massey, of Dispatches From the Basement (a poet who’s here on Substack)
These things we look at or hear or feel or sense, I believe, connect us to ourselves and others. Being outside in nature contains all of these items. We are simply beings united in love. I'm happy to read your words Susan, happy that you are writing another book. You bring comfort to many people. Perhaps, I will join you one day in contributing written words.
Why I agree with this idea is because, during a classroom conversation(lecture) with my lecturer today, 14/1/2024, on Creative Writing(modern Arabic prose), it's mentioned that art and it's forms make soft a complex phenomenon or other social issues. Likewise, romanticism, as a literary work, enables literary men get focused on nature more than they get attached to worries.
Hi. Not sure about saving civilisation but nothing takes me away to somewhere else than the creation of music and painting. And that is where I get my most individual satisfaction and pleasure in life. My approach to music and art are largely the same, I have come to realise, in the fact that I always start with a blank canvas and no rules and see where my imagination and spontaneous creativity can take me. I have been making instrumental electronic music as Noise Clinic for about 12 years now and have so far released 18 albums with another out this year. I appreciate the thousands of listens I get from around the world but I would still do exactly the same thing if no-one listened to me at all. It is all about the creative process for me and what it gives to me. It is the same with my art, some of which you can see on Instagram. I love the creativity that a blank canvas and some tubes of paint and tools can offer. I do get quite physical when painting and expressing myself. What am I expressing? Does it need to be a label? It comes from deep within, like my music. The amazing thing for me though is knowing when something is done. How do I know that? But know it I do. I rejoice in what music and art give to me in my life.
“Art, poetry, music, all forms of true beauty…” I believe these are the things that make life worth living. I actually see them as forms of prayer and meditation. Your books Quiet and Bittersweet have both led me into deep personal growth and creative flow. I can’t wait to read your next one!
Art Music and poetry is Heart. When you apply heart and intuition you got in to non thinking state which is good. Mind produce Crony Capitalism. Heart produce conscious capitalism. World needs conscious capitalist.
I feel this quote to be true for such beauty hits the soul of the matter, it a form of love soothing our existence amongst life turbulence! I don't see how there could be an argument; that forms of any beauty could not save ourselves and civilization. For when we our engage, embracing such beauty we are at peace within ourselves and surrounding; our souls our at home in the "Thin Places" of transcendence amongst a paradoxical earthly realm... Although if someone did have an argument, I be very intrigued to what that is... Beauty saves lives, literally has save my; as the angles pull back the clouds, painting love amongst a setting hue, taking a step back from the ledge to feel the beauty, just a little be longer, longer and longer... May beauty save us all peace, peace, peace 💙
“Art, poetry, music, all forms of true beauty…..etc. “ Can save us individually because those are things, like nature, that we can draw on everyday in nearly every location. As I accompanied my husband on his decades long journey through a chronic illness, it was music and blue skies or sunsets and birdsong, poetry or flowers that became the small regular respites I could count on during the days (and weeks) I couldn’t leave the house for more than a few minutes. Those micro meditations with a few breaths of fresh air, fed my soul and body. Many days, those were all the relief I had. And it was enough. 💚
As a person with an introverted personality, I spent years trying to understand why I often felt out of place in my social circles. Now, as an adult, I’ve come to realize that many of those moments led me to discover a sense of peace and personal freedom—without needing to rely on external validation or the stimuli of others, as society often makes us believe.
During my childhood and adolescence, music and reading became my faithful companions. They allowed me to experience a deep, unique connection that I couldn’t find in relationships with others. Now, as an adult, I’ve learned that life is far from perfect—that it is full of challenges and tribulations. Yet, I’ve slowly come to understand that the true magic of life lies in the small details.
My father left me one of life’s most valuable lessons: to find beauty in the little things. Whether it’s noticing the forest or the plants while driving instead of staring at a phone screen, sitting by the sea and watching a sunset, planting flowers in your garden, reading a good book, listening to music, or appreciating the art others work so hard to create—a painting, a sculpture, a mural.
In today’s fast-paced world, overflowing with superficial stimuli that often fail to nourish the soul, these simple aspects of life are treasures. They remind us that true fulfillment comes not from what society tries to sell us as happiness, but from self-discovery and cherishing life’s genuine, meaningful moments.
“Art, poetry, music, all forms of true beauty, prayer, and meditation—these are the things that will save us as individuals and, if we're lucky, civilization.” -Joseph Massey ~ while these forms of attention can be transcendental, awe inspiring and uplifting I don't believe this is a recipe that will save all of humanity....pieces of the puzzle absolutely, what about storytelling? or breaking bread in community? or reading? or dancing? or learning a new language? or studying a different faith than what you were raised with? etc etc
Sorry, one more thing to add (although possibly not the last...?)
At a more immediate, accessible level, I was at a concert on Monday night in Brisbane. The band was a Scottish outfit from the early 90s who are still going strong and also recorded a few crossover rock/alternative/indie/dance classics, which seemed to attract a crowd spanning several decades. It was a brilliant performance of musicianship and showmanship; building to an adrenaline-high climax. As the energy levels soared, the crowd became more and more involved; dancing, smiling singing, chanting and clapping, hands raised with fists, fingers and even peace signs, all bound together in a moment of a shared experience. I often think about this at music experiences, whether it's a live concert at a venue or festival, and even sometimes with DJ sets in clubs or dance music events. If only some parts of these shared feelings could be reproduced elsewhere, then a lot of the world's problems could be minimised. I know this is hardly a new idea, but why does something that happens so easily over and over again, all over the world seem so difficult to generate outside the arts world?
Hi Susan
Your question (and the above quotation) left me reeling, yesterday. I often say to people that "music is my lifeblood"; I can't imagine existing without it. I often think about listening to, or experiencing (or sometimes playing) music, as the happy place where I can relax, feel pleasure, deal with stress, or let go of any negative emotions.
I have so many thoughts around the above quotation, I've been struggling to combine them comprehensively into one single answer explanation. So, I've decide to maybe add them as stream-of-consciousness ideas:
My immediate thought was of some of the projects that have involved bringing together people different cultures, languages and regions all over the such as "Playing for Change".
One of the most recent and certainly most powerful, thought-provoking and emotionally-charged examples was their version of Led Zeppelin's "When the Levee Breaks" two years ago. Obviously, this also highlights the issue we all face, with Climate Change. Link here: https://youtu.be/LH0-WXUFY2k?si=r5lR8Rd5wGYPG6Gg
The other project that really struck me was the film, "One Giant Leap 2: What About Me?" which relates directly to how music can connect us all. (And possibly save us?) It's far too complex and mind-blowing for me to even try to explain here, so I'll let you read the summary:
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1297833/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk
Art, poetry, music, all forms of true beauty, prayer, and meditation—these are the things that will save us as individuals and, if we’re lucky, civilisation. - Joseph Massey. I love Joseph’s quote but will add a bit more: what will save us is the realisation that there is a God, and we are not it.
Being made in God’s image, as described in the Book of Genesis, is a profound theological idea with far-reaching implications. As beings created in the image of the Creator, humans inherit a drive to create. Embracing what is inherent within us inspires the creation of literature, art, music, architecture, and more. In crafting these expressions, we tap into a higher plane of consciousness.
“The author of creativity longs for you to barge in, break open the gift you have been saving.” - Makoto Fujimura
The capacity for imagination is a unique human trait. Through these creative acts, we connect to something greater than the sum of our biology. The imaginative spark inherent in humanity reflects God’s creative nature. Whether crafting or experiencing a compelling story, creating or admiring a masterpiece, or composing or listening to a symphony, we feel the presence of the Creator within us.
Susan,
I was brought up Catholic and went to Catholic schools for 12 years. One of the things missing in my life is that feeling of spirit, prayer and meditation. I have not gone in a Catholic Church for mass in years. I feel the church has failed us on multiple levels.
I search for my prayer and mediations remotely. People I follow on Instagram and books I read.
I have felt for years that God is in nature, music, art and the kindness of others.
Hi, Susan!
Again - where to begin?
I fully agree! There is one of my favourite songs by Franz Schubert that has guided me through tough times all my life, I‘ve known it from childhood.
Here ist the song and its lyrics in English:
„Beloved art, in how many a bleak hour,
when I am enmeshed in life’s tumultuous round,
have you kindled my heart to the warmth of love,
and borne me away to a better world!“
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-VqK088TF4
But never before have I felt it as much as when I was in Kiev last fall. I was in concerts where people - the musicians as well as the audience - came together in spite of the danger of the daily bombings. I have never before felt so much how the musicians gave their all, their heart and soul, to hand over by means of their music the power of love, strength and courage to the audience, and how in the very moment it resonated with the people and returned to the musicians manifold. I‘ve been to so many concerts throughout my life and enjoyed them all. But I had never experienced anything like that. I cried all through the performance (Vivaldi‘s and Piazzolla‘s Four Seasons), because it moved me so much - it opened a door to the universal greater force that gives all of us consolation. It sounds inadequate when I write this because it’s difficult to describe. My Ukrainian friends who took me said they try and go as often as possible because this is where they draw hope and strength for their life and work. They are physicians who are daily saving lives of those wounded by this war’s brutality. They also say, sometimes there are attacks during the concerts; then everyone goes down to the shelters together, sometimes for hours, before they return and finish the concert together. Music and art joins people without words, it is who we are, beyond all borders, and it carries us any time . This is just one example… there are many more that come to mind.
I often thought in this context of your Sarayevo Cellist!
In whatever way I can help you there with your proposal, I‘ll be happy to!
With this glimpse into your plans, I‘m even more looking forward to your book 😊! No pressure included 😉
I copy/pasted this quote from Joseph Massey before I even read onward to see that you had an ask...the document I saved the quote in is a file I have for 'quotes on writing', to remind me when I need it - and as a writer, I often need it - that this fundamental work saves peoples' lives. It has saved me, in part because I experience healing in the writing process as a survivor of complex trauma. I know the same is true for artists of all kinds, and from all backgrounds. To me, it is the intersection of the physical realm with the spiritual. So much of what you write about - those things we know to be true but are hard to quantify and definitely not validated by the status quo - is at this intersection. I find that in order to keep writing, I have to connect with the spiritual side of it, and quotes like this help me to do that. I could write so much more! I'm excited about your new book.
The world didn't have to be beautiful. So much of life could have been ordered around pure function. But it is beautiful in so many ways. Humans could have subsisted on only a few foods--but instead, we have and continue to innovate a vast variety of ingredients, methodologies, and preparations to make hundreds of thousands of different combinations of dishes, all to perform the very basic function of giving energy and nutrients to our bodies.
And although all of the artistic endeavors are often viewed in our culture as unnecessary, extravagant luxuries, people have been incorporating beauty, symmetry, form, rhythm, harmony, delight, and unnecessary, extravagant luxuries into life since as far back as we can discover. The primal impulse to make a mark, to create something that exists outside of us is an essential part of humanity.
“Art, poetry, music, all forms of true beauty, prayer, and meditation—these are the things that will save us as individuals and, if we're lucky, civilization.” -Joseph Massey, of Dispatches From the Basement (a poet who’s here on Substack)
These things we look at or hear or feel or sense, I believe, connect us to ourselves and others. Being outside in nature contains all of these items. We are simply beings united in love. I'm happy to read your words Susan, happy that you are writing another book. You bring comfort to many people. Perhaps, I will join you one day in contributing written words.
With appreciation,
Ruth Schuler
Why I agree with this idea is because, during a classroom conversation(lecture) with my lecturer today, 14/1/2024, on Creative Writing(modern Arabic prose), it's mentioned that art and it's forms make soft a complex phenomenon or other social issues. Likewise, romanticism, as a literary work, enables literary men get focused on nature more than they get attached to worries.
Hi. Not sure about saving civilisation but nothing takes me away to somewhere else than the creation of music and painting. And that is where I get my most individual satisfaction and pleasure in life. My approach to music and art are largely the same, I have come to realise, in the fact that I always start with a blank canvas and no rules and see where my imagination and spontaneous creativity can take me. I have been making instrumental electronic music as Noise Clinic for about 12 years now and have so far released 18 albums with another out this year. I appreciate the thousands of listens I get from around the world but I would still do exactly the same thing if no-one listened to me at all. It is all about the creative process for me and what it gives to me. It is the same with my art, some of which you can see on Instagram. I love the creativity that a blank canvas and some tubes of paint and tools can offer. I do get quite physical when painting and expressing myself. What am I expressing? Does it need to be a label? It comes from deep within, like my music. The amazing thing for me though is knowing when something is done. How do I know that? But know it I do. I rejoice in what music and art give to me in my life.
“Art, poetry, music, all forms of true beauty…” I believe these are the things that make life worth living. I actually see them as forms of prayer and meditation. Your books Quiet and Bittersweet have both led me into deep personal growth and creative flow. I can’t wait to read your next one!