|
|
MASTERY AND SLAVERY
There is nothing wrong with becoming good at something and sharing those
skills. Indeed, this is how we teach and learn from each other. Neither
is there anything inherently wrong with virtuosity or mastery of an art
or craft. Even the most achieved guitar “master” in the world,
for example, may admit that they have learned only a small fraction of
what it possible on the guitar. The problem lies in the recent historical
association of virtuosity and mastery with slavery.
Modern society all too often prizes extreme specialization to the exclusion
of wholism and well-roundedness, and expects a person to deny their basic
human right to engage in a diversity of activities during their day, and
during their lifetimes. In an extreme pursuit of knowledge in their specialty,
many experts reduce their focus so drastically that they lose sight of
the big picture. Many contemporary ethical debates—over nuclear
testing, cloning and genetic modification, weapons profiteering, etc.—are
related to the myopia associated with specialization. Knowledge which
floats up and away from the complexities and the realities of the grounded
whole becomes dangerous, just as a knife can be either a useful tool or
a destructive weapon.
We must all begin to trust the knowledge that we have innately, especially
when it comes to our own bodies. The truth is, nobody knows more about
how to teach or heal yourself than you do, and no master—be they
guru, sensei, Ph.D, lawyer or priest—can heal or teach you anything
without your cooperation. When we practice the improvisational arts, we
affirm the great value—and great responsibility—of our own
experience, and deep trust in ourselves.
top | table
of contents
ANTI-COPYRIGHT LICENSE
This license allows you to legally make copies of this document for non-commercial
use, as long as all copies are given away free of charge. all or part
of this document may be freely pirated and quoted. the author, however,
requests to be informed at  . |
|
