Friday, July 6, 2012

Wise Effort

Zendotstudio Buddhas at Rawsome Cafe & Juice Bar 
I am thinking about "wise effort". It is  in my mind after listening to a great dharma talk last night by Andrea Fella that you can find here. It is true you can make all kinds of effort but not all of it is wise. I know a bit about this myself. My repetoire of "effort sans wisdom" includes effort fueled by force, effort soaked in wanting things to turn out a certain way, and effort that floats on the marshmallow of delusion. Perhaps you have your own special flavour of effort?

Four of us have been hard at work around "the farm" this last several weeks so I have had occasion to see different kinds of effort in action. Lots of work has taken place. Some very dirty cedar siding had been washed, many weeds have been pulled, dirt has been moved, logs have been bucked, meadows have been mowed. I myself have been guilty of over- effort, the kind where you unwisely use up all your energy and are reduced to an aching heap.  I have witnessed grim effort, where not much fun happens on the job. There have been half efforts and unfocused effort. I have also witnessed bright effort that flowed with enthusiasm and effort meant in part to be an example to encourage others. I never knew there were so many nuances to effort.

In her talk Fella reminds us that wise effort is intertwined with mindfulness and concentration. If we are mindful our effort will be bright and considerate of the task at hand. Concentration supports an effort that is strong and focused.  When I think of effort I am often reminded of Jeane's tag line over at ART IT, "you must make an effort to put things into motion".  These words have echoed in my ears from the first time I read them. Simple, direct and true.  Jeane is an inspiring example of wise effort.  She works consistently. Perhaps this is one of the most important and difficult aspects of effort, this ability to unflinchingly sustain effort.   And I have been awed by the integrity of her effort. This woman has painted over or burned work I would gladly have hung on my wall! And her new work is an exciting testimony to effort she nourishes on good humour, faith and confidence.
Chris Gay half of the duo that owns Rawsome Cafe
Some of my art is currently hanging in a place built on wise effort. I have watched Jim Maurice & Chris Gay steer their business and follow their dreams to arrive at the awesome Rawsome Living Foods Cafe & Juice Bar. They create raw food with integrity and mindfulness, works of edible art and deliciousness. If you are in the neighbourhood drop in and try one of their many goodies. I recommend the raw bagels and cream cheese and the Village Greens juice. And never leave without dessert!

Buddhas watch over cafe customer

Summer seems the season of energy, filled with sun and light and warmth. So what better season to consider our use of effort, to re-dedicate ourselves to something that is important in our lives? Where will you shine the light of your wise effort this summer?
Juicy Art?


24 comments:

  1. Ah the flavours of effort ... grilled studious avoidance and marinated dithering immediately spring to mind... That Rawsome Living looks like a terrific place - I'll make an effort to lure the family there.

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    1. I do like your flavours, sounds ripe for the barbi! And do stop by Rawsome if just for the dessert.

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  2. i have just come home after getting around town by buses in the rain...and do you know ?...i do not have any spare effort to comment wisely with here!! BUT i did enjoy reading this piece, Carole. Now i have to summon-up will AND effort to get down town again, to Harbour area..helping at my friend, Helen Millard's gallery on week-ends now and the chance to display my Stingy Artist publications etc etc....ANDIAMO from England <3

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    1. That sounds like wise effort to me, to save your energy for your gallery stint!

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  3. No fair! How come David gets to enjoy all your offerings live and raw? Opps. That was raw but not wise effort, wasn't it!? It's always amazing how good karma brings us t good places. But tits that choice to embody good and create action from that which is such a challenge for me. Much easier to be driven, to pout, to feel resentful. Which is why I treasure my dharma friends who don't let me get away with it! ;-)

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    1. oh, I am familiar with pout and resent! just this week I was party to a storm of anger that blew through. At least I know how to make it a quiet storm! and I know from reading your posts and fb that you embody much wise effort and inspire many. happy gardening weekend!

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  4. congratulations on your wonderful show! from the pic it looks very rich and may I say Carole?, as I'm reading along and saying to myself, oh, yes, that is so right and then all of a sudden my name pops into view and is connected to the words 'wise effort' ?- well let me tell you, that is a first! first, thank you so much for such an amazing comment about my work! it's very humbling - your words as always, have given me so much food for thought and will be mulling it all over today as I work in the shed!! thank you Carole!

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    1. ha, ha! surprises are always fun. so many are the rewards of your effort! I always find it interesting out of the gazillion artists we have access out there in cyberspace how we are drawn to specific work that resonates deeply. I love the transparency you have, how you let us see and learn from your journey. Happy painting!

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  5. Oh, this is a great post Carole, full of wise words and observations. Your work looks great on these walls and must add to the fresh foods vibe!! These are the places that become as an oasis. Thank you for these words on a tough subject.

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    1. Thanks Mary Ann! It is interesting to ponder the many manifestations of effort, isn't it? Happy painting!

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  6. what a great fit for your work!
    quite simply, for me, wise effort is all that is targeted towards the important tasks.

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    1. it is a great fit! I love it when these things happen. In Aug I will do another great fit at a vege restaurant in Vancouver called the Naam. I have learned not to "effort" to much in finding venues. It never works for me.

      Yes, to keep in mind the important tasks! so easy to become distracted by other things.

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  7. ahhhh, your paintings look wonderful in the cafe, carole...

    xoxo

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    1. thanks, Lynne. we could share a cheers with one of those almond milk and chia drinks you make! Ever added raw cacao to them??

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  8. I am a visitor often. Hoppe'd(pun intended) from Lynne's blog many moons ago. I adore your writing style, so colorful and rich with thought provoking "stuff"( see I dont have the same skills, hahaha) and have fallen madly in love with your art. I also love the quote re: "effort and motion", yet still working on the "patience" in it all. Your writings/paintings are helping with that. xx Sandy
    AND, your art looks amazing on the Rawsome walls. Like they truly belong! What atmosphere they create.

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  9. well thanks, Sandy for the many kind words, nice to see you pop out of the shadows and what a great place to have Hoppe'd over from! If you love that quote and you haven't been to ART IT, you really must pop over there and be smitten.

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  10. So much to this post! LOL :) So much good Dharma :) I love that you pointed out that there are so many "nuances to effort." And amazing how with wisdom things effortlessly flow...

    So happy for you that your Buddha Art is being displayed! Seems like the perfect environment for you!

    Definitely like the idea of "re-directing ourselves to something that is important in our lives." Am attempting that myself - shining the light on new adventures. :)

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  11. thanks Christine! Yes, a good question to ask ourselves, "what is important to me?" and then focus our efforts in that direction. I was reading something yesterday where the person said "do you ever meet a person who says the most important thing to me is enlightenment." That would certainly help focus our efforts wouldn't it?

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  12. I am still searching for where to shine my bright light.. am making adjustments due to health issues and not able to do as much gardening as needed nor stand and paint as much as wanted.. so am exploring a new outlet.. small hand made books.. a good place to shine a light I think. wonderful inspiring words in your post.

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    1. yes, my friend the Buddhist monk, used to say, ah, these bodies. and of course the Buddha said it is the nature of the body to grow old, get ill and die. This need not seem morose but simply the way it is. And of course this doesn't preclude looking for healing options when possible.

      And so wonderful that you are finding ways to work with this. I'm sure you're small books will be stunning. I look forward to seeing your new explorations.

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  13. Hi Carole: Your art is such a beautiful fit with the raw food cafe and juice bar. Congratulations!

    Perhaps the challenges of the aging body provide us with new opportunities to learn wisdom of effort...do everything one can for health as the foundation for other desires - such as creativity.

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    1. it's true, the helpful way to look at these things is as opportunities. a cancer friend referred to his diagnosis as a "health opportunity".

      and yes good health allows us to pursue our passions. it is truly a good fortune which when we have it we most often forget to be grateful for.

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  14. LOVE seeing your work on display at the fun cafe, Carole--well done! :o) And sounds like a very yum cafe too--raw food & juice...mmm... "you must make an effort to put things into motion"...this is going into my notebook, it's such a great reminder. And also a reminder is your mention of Andrea Fella... I am behind on my listening at Audio Dharma as it's been full days here, and garden work as well. Thanks for stopping by my place, Carole--great to see you ((HUGS))

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  15. yes, gardening and art, does it get any better. oh, maybe throw in a dharma talk! happy summer! I am guessing there are raw food restaurants in Norway too?

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