OVER(re)VIEW
Please pardon the interuption. Some may have noticed that ACTING HUMAN went dark for a couple of weeks. I have a doctor’s note.
Sufficed to say a few bugs ganged up on me. Nothing worthy of medical jounals or great concern. Just pesky, persistent, and distracting ailments. I’m on the comeback trail. [CUE: APPLAUSE SIGN]
The time away gave me space to consider how to proceed. As I’ve repeated often (harped?) my hope when starting this newletter was to form a community of ‘practionioners.’ People coming together to leatn to act with the understanding that “we all act all the time.” Sharing skills in community can and will alter consciousness in the ways art enhances life. Upleveled consciousness arises in collaboratiion. Observable community in comments, crosscurrents and connections, have not taken shape.
So, we’ll make adjustments. Exactly what I’d do in rehearsal as an actor, writer and/or director. Make changes.
To kick off this new phase, let’s look at a brief review of what we’re up to here. As we do, any and all responses are MORE than welcomed. Whatever that means. Is there a superlative to welcome? What do YOU think?
ACTING HUMAN BASICS
What is Acting Human?
A practice rooted in ageless wisdom, contemporary science, and ALL the arts expressed as Actors craft.
We use skillful means, the same kind accomplished artists use to act, make music, write, paint and dance - practices designed to create our daily lives with artistic intention. We all act all the time. There is nothing false, fatuous, nor pretend about acting human.
To the contrary, ACTING HUMAN roots us in a sincere and ongoing search for truth, universal connection, intuitive union. Acting connects everyday life and the art of living, transforming ordinary lives, by means of imagination used with intention and courage, to extraordinary living.
Acting Human practice focuses on our everyday behavior, it uses our stories as they unfold in felt experience as source, out of which, with intentional practice, our extraordinary lives emerge. We intend to recognize and expand our awareness; naturally we create our lives by skillful means.
As we grow in awareness and skill, we feel more connected to ourselves, each other and the WHOLE of our lived experience.
We “live life alive,” develop a spontaneous sense of aliveness and vital connection. That’s what we’ve deeply wanted all along.
Acting Human urges us to see beyond the glossy magazine version of artful living. It sets our sights on success greater than the store bought kind. It asks us to see past stylish clothing, must-have technology, status signals, and exotic vacation destinations. It sets us on our way to creating lives as art.
On the other hand, Acting Human doesn’t tell you what to wear, or where to go for sun, fun, or frosty drinks. You can sip a Coco Loco on a white sandy beach. That’s in perfect harmony with Acting Human practice. When you mindfully sip, your Coco Loco will taste SO delicious you may order another one, or three.
Different drink? Specific beaches that make your hearts sing?
There are five key intentions at play when we practice:
To GROW
Allow more spacious vision.
See greater possibility and choice.
Open our hearts.
Judge less, define less, limit less.
To KNOW
Contemplate and USE ageless wisdom.
See beyond mere information.
Continuously ask questions arising from genuine curiosity.
Know that knowing is useful only in so far as it serves know-how and moves us to action.
To FLOW
Tune to aspirations that guide us to freedom.
Minimize distraction.
Set aside self-consciousness and welcome creative risk.
Let work feel like play.
Engage challenge with skill to move into flow.
To SHOW
Awaken to life as shared story.
Play our stories as felt experience.
Connect truly with self and other while open and vulnerable, with generosity and courage.
Welcome imagination and mystery as natural and essential.
To GLOW
Shine bright as we are all made of stardust.
“We are the stuff which has taken its destiny into its own hands” ~Carl Sagan
Ignite kindness and compassion.
Energize universal connections in presence and purpose, to reveal all that moves us in the direction of truth.
I see all people as actors creating selves in moment to moment lives. Here. Now. Always.
“WE ALL ACT ALL THE TIME.” It’s always the right time to learn and practice, so we can live and come together joyously in lives lived truly in love and peace. Is that such a bad idea?
WE CAN LIVE LIFE ALIVE.
Until next time. . .
Lights Up!
I am not 100% sure why I have chosen to 'not participate' in your musings on living life alive! I know I am acting human. I have many thoughts on your thoughts. I do so enjoy and relish in your wisdom, ease in sharing and have much to ponder when I have completed my engagement with you, and those who have commented and shared. Thank you, Professor Dubin, for re-igniting the troops.
To echo the others who've responded, glad you're on the mend, Professor! Thanks for another delicious post, featuring the ...OWs. To them, I propose we add BLOW, as in playing the trumpet, or frankly, playing life's changes!; and SOW, as in the seeds we cultivate and share with one another. You have been and continue to be a devoted gardener, pollinating our hearts and minds with notions, aspirations, imaginations, and—let's call it what it is—love. I am—and speaking for all of us, WE are—forever grateful. Whatever the adjustments, whatever the changes, let's do it! I'm IN, now and always.❤️🙏