The Artist’s Dilemma

“The integrity of an artist lifts a man above the level of the world without delivering him from it.” That’s a quote from Thomas Merton- his autobiography. I don’t know that I’ve ever read anything like it. it’s an amazing framing of the artistic struggle. You’ve found a way to transcend the modern way of life, and everything that goes along with that, but you’re not delivered from it. You still have life itself. It’s still a problem. But your understanding of everything is deeper. Rounder. And I would say generally, through the act of creation and flow and making art, you really do see things differently. Now, I know some people will have a real problem with quotes from a Catholic monk, but I would also say those same people don’t seem to have problems with quotes from somebody who just learned how to do singing bowls and is suddenly “spiritual.” Truth remains truth no matter where it comes from. And I think the universality of Merton’s understanding of the artist’s dilemma is…