Life is often mysterious. A life mystery defies easy understanding.  A good mystery is fascinating anyway.

You can choose to live the mystery, or you can try to understand it.  You cannot do both.  The experience of the mystery moves beyond comprehension.  The effort needed to understand will prevent one from entering the portal of mysterious life.

How do you create a new thought, write a sonnet, or tell a tale previously unknown?  The creative mind may be one of those mysteries that define knowing. “Creativity is magic.  Don’t examine it too closely,” said playwright Edward Albee.  If we look too closely at the process, the magic may dissipate, the fascination may evaporate.  When we allow ourselves to be creative without study, we can often delight in the experience, and that is enough to produce more magic.

The mysterious, creative path is a way of perception, not of judgment.  As Zen teaching offers, the moment we start to make distinctions, we drive away “heaven and earth.” However, the great way is not difficult.  It is easily lived. Only go directly, and don’t analyze the journey.

Entering the creative, mysterious life?

Pay attention to perceptions. Don’t try to judge them, just know what you experience.  The Swiss psychologist Carl Jung describes one of the great divisions and thought is the ability to perceive, versus the judging mind.  The judging mind sorts, classifies – and ends open perception. Open the gates of perception, said Aldous Huxley. Enter the mystery of life enhanced.

Release expectations. Don’t bring your version of heaven with you, walk into the paradise before you. The things you expect probably won’t happen. Spock from the classic Star Trek taught that we should appreciate “infinite diversity in infinite combinations.” The mysterious life in front of you cannot be anticipated. Celebrate what arrives.

Feel the pulse. The mysterious side of life may be as vibrant as a great jazz piece - it comes with its own sophisticated rhythm. Don’t try to impose square 4/4 time on the land of the mysterious. Find the natural rock of the place.  Express it, but don’t anticipate it.  Try to offer something unique about yourself to add to the pulse of the place.  Find your opportunity to sing the cadenza.

None of us can live entirely creative lives.  The power of mystery is appealing, yet we all need to pay our bills too.  Enter the mystery regularly, as it deepens and colors one’s character.  Spend a summer at the beach, get a tan.  Spend a season in mystery, and you will speak with resonance and charisma.

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Do you have a mystery waiting to be expressed?  

Offer your creative talents as a leader. Send me a note to DrSteve@mycareerimpact.com 

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