The Obstructions of Vision
In times of great darkness, vision is at a premium.
That is why Visionmakers everywhere protect their ability to see by guarding against the obstructions of vision. "As a man is," wrote William Blake "so he sees."
Visionmakers take Blake's observation literally to heart. It is from the heart that vision springs and therefore, we turn to the heart to renew our ability to see clearly, even through dark times such as those we currently encounter.
The great Persian poet, Hafiz suggests that there can be no vision without self-mastery:
The warriors tame
The beasts in their past
So that the night's hoofs
Can no longer break the jeweled vision
In the heart.
Committed to taming the past, Visionmakers remain vigilant to any obstruction of vision that can infect the heart and harm the eye. There are seven major obstructions that prevent vision from forming. These include:
- Unfinished business
- Cynicism
- Closed-heartedness
- Risk avoidance
- Reasonableness
- Pessimism
- Self-importance
Over the coming days, I will cover each of these impediments and explore how they restrain and restrict our field of vision. Visionmakers must be free to cast their vision forward, as though it was being carried across the landscape of possibility on the wings of a large, dark bird.
This is impossible if the heart is obstructed by the forces of the status quo, forces invested in maintaining a state of stasis where there is neither forward movement or progress.
Those that have been arrested by these agents, are unable to recognize the emergence of new possibilities.
Or, if they are capable of such perception, they no longer have the energy or agility to meet this emerging future. The amber of the status quo freezes the sensibilities and negates action.
A Visionmaker must be available to act without restraint or reserve. This is the way the future is plucked from the fingers of Chance.
© Patrick O’Neill 2009. All rights reserved.