perception – Jules P Richards

I look for hope in stuff around me…

But, for all the natural wonders that we catch glimpses of, I sense there is something much bigger that I struggle to grasp*.

It’s easier said than done, but I think we have chances to embrace humanity daily. If we can only let it breathe – try to meet humanity, if you get a chance…

Let’s call her Joyce: Joyce is from the Netherlands, retired, and she’s touring Britain in her campervan. We met her on top of Stannage Edge in Derbyshire. We discussed stuff like concrete factories, heather, language, and camping. Joyce was full of life, a joy.

Let’s call him Emre: Emre was born in Turkey but was brought up in Tower Hamlets and has worked as a legal support for the Social Services all his life. We met him in Whitstable at the table next to us on the harbour side. He was eating mussels with his wife. We discussed seafood, dogs, politics, Turkey, and teenagers. Emre and his wife were full of friendly smiles.

Let’s call her Amy: Amy loves doing her job. Amy’s in her early twenties and is maître d’ at a cafe bar in Glossop. We met her as she made us feel at home in her delightful cafe. With dynamic enthusiasm, we discussed steak, dogs, her boyfriend, her cafe, and beer. Amy loves life.

For those contemplatives amongst us, the enchanting natural world often leaves us in awe.

The majesty of the sky. The vastness of the sea. The intricacies of seeds, the depths of the forest, the might of mountains, the energy of rivers. All of this causes us to reflect and share delight.

I often do this: I reflect and try to share little joys we see around us. Perhaps I seek natural highs because our culture so often disappoints.

But what stirs me more than any natural phenomenon is our humanity, in such as those everyday saints mentioned above.

Aspects of our humanity can leave nature in the shade. Indeed, our wonder at nature is a human perception. The world just is, but we often think Wow! It just is. But wow?

The human element is the wonder. It’s hard to replicate and manufacture the joy of genuine humanity. And I find it hard to put into words.

Human wonders happen less frequently because the noise and clutter of culture and tradition confuse our perceptions. Our unique asset, our language, constructs towers that are easily toppled. But at the base of every interaction is our humanity. As an art student, I studied the abstract meaning between words… Humanity is the shared energy beneath the words, between strangers…

Yes, humanity has its failings, sometimes I think the failings are far greater than its virtues, but behind the nasty one-upmanship that our culture celebrates is some amazing potential energy…

It’s hard to tap into because the ugly side of society is so loud. But underneath it all is something…

Whether good or bad, people are people because of other people.

*As mentioned, I sometimes totally struggle to grasp humanity.

Years ago, my Creative Arts degree studies opened my eyes to so much energy, but also deconstructed everything definite.

I am just being naively honest, and perhaps highlighting a failing of mine, but some of us struggle to find belonging in this world. I am trying, but even after 50+ years of age, I struggle to find reliable words.

I recently met up with old friends from my degree studies three decades ago. I guess we briefly revived a tangible belonging.

Although 30 years had passed, we fondly recalled a formative time that gave us quite a buzz. It was phenomenally delightful. Although we’d deconstructed everything definite. Thankfully, our common trusted humanity has not expired. Breathe.

Elephant Juice

As a teenager, I watched the Royal Institution Christmas Lectures. This is a tradition I try to keep up each year. It’s a bit like reading Usborne Guides for children; entertaining, bite-size, palatable info that I find much easier to swallow.

This year the RICL was about ‘the brain’, and was entertaining as ever. It reminded me that “what we perceive” is but a subjective notion and that what others perceive might be similar but not the same. In fact what we conceive of seeing is sometimes at odds with what was ‘true’… A minefield I know! …but fun!
It illustrated that our brains ‘memorise’ (encode) stimuli, map patterns, and retrieve or create perceptions etc. (neural activity, chemicals, electricity).
Take a look: http://richannel.org/christmas-lectures-2011-bruce-hood–whats-in-your-head
It was fascinating to observe visual illusions that illustrated the limits of our visual perception.
That we only clearly see a visual tunnel of a few inches at a time and via stepped saccades we build up our idea of what we’re experiencing. The Change Blindness illustration was enlightening: http://youtu.be/ImQFQj6yvVE?t=32s

And so we are what we think and we think what we are… the paralysis of analysis – my Achilles heel.
And so… thankfully, enter the conciliating creations of myth, song, fable and assurance.
The logic is fair enough and indeed wondrous, but I also wonder what we might do if it were not for the colouring, soothing, palliative artistry that culture, art, nature, and meaning give us.
Without my dose of coffee, cheese, music, fiction and wonder, I would be more lost that I am.

Turn to your friend and silently mouth the words “elephant juice” to them while they watch you… what do they see you say?

Thank ‘heavens’ for mystery.