SURREALISM

When we describe something as being surreal, we are describing an experience that is said to be marked by the intense irrational reality of a dream (Merriam-Webster). To further elaborate on this, I’d like to bring to your attention to a painting I talk about in my book ‘Fringe Dweller’.

The painting is called -Soft construction with boiled beans: a premonition of civil war, by Spanish artist Salvador Dali, completed in 1936.

Freud, who refused to be the poster child for the surrealism movement that was emerging at the time, said, as much as he fawned at the idea of playing the role of their poster child, Salvador did make him reconsider the proposal.

In my book Fringe Dweller, I discuss the painting as I describe a young man named Matthew, who is going through the motions of trying to decide whether he should go after his dreams, or play it safe and do what is expected of him. In the story, Matthew gets excited about the prospect of finally being happy because he has followed the path of his heart’s desire, but just as quickly, falls into a state of anxiety when he lets his mind flood with thoughts of everything that could go wrong for him. Fear that he is delusional and is choosing a road that will lead him to a hell of his own creating.

For me, the interest in surrealism comes from a fascination with the process of active creation of one’s and or other people’s reality.

Have you ever wanted something, seen yourself having it, perhaps even with an air of detachment? And then sometime in the future, you find yourself with exactly what you wanted? You are left standing there, thinking to yourself “I’ve seen this movie before, I once wanted this and now I have it. How did I do that?”.

Now, I’ve spoken to a few people about this phenomenon, and it seems to me that people do have a sense for this ability to actively create their reality, or at least see it before it happens. But it seems to me that people don’t really talk about this ability the way we talk about our abilities to run, swim, play soccer, or have a skill that we can polish and use. Instead, we would rather credit our gods or God when we are successful, perhaps because the art itself is too delicate a skill to contemplate. Ps, my previous statement is not a declaration of the absence of a God.

In my story, Matthew is aware of the fact that he could actively manifest heaven or hell here on earth, and because he hasn’t figure out how ensure he only creates the former, he feels an overwhelming sense of depression, because that truth, is more than enough to stop him from going after what he truly wants. Creating either reality would still bring about a sense of surrealism.

Which finally brings us to the big question here, what is the trick to creating a reality that elicits the kind of excitement, joy and feeling of accomplishment that is a sign of an active creator who has mastered this art. Personally over the years, I have found that having the following things figured out helps with art of creating, rather than being a passive participant in the game of life. One, master of your mind rather than be a slave to it, this tool is a projector of reality. Two, proper breathing, physical and eating habits must be key to finding balance, and finally having a few good virtues is sure to be a catalyst for the process.

Which brings us to our final questions, does mastering these facets of life guarantee that we will get everything we want in life? Perhaps not. But, is that a bad thing? Perhaps not either, perhaps this way, we can ensure that we only focus our energies on the things that really matter. Whatever that may be for you.

By –Simon D.M. Karanja