There is something that I often find very special about the tree pictured below. Although not always remarkable for me when I pass it, at times the flowers on it seem blurred, shifting my sense of vision for a moment. I like this feeling, as it reminds me that I have a choice in suspending a lot of how I organize the world. This is always a good thing.
I think that this blurred quality is visible in the picture that I took of it, which I was sure to be very still when taking. Afterwards, I thought that perhaps I should have been moving when I took it to better illustrate the quality I am trying to describe, but as I look at it now, I think that it is there anyway.
I remember studying the artist Paul Cezanne in art school, and it was told to us students in one class that he, and others from the time, used to drink absinthe, which was said to have hallucinogenic qualities. I recall the teacher explaining that this may have contributed to Cezanne painting trees in the way that he did, which I find similar to the flowers on the tree I have described. Below is Cezanne's example.
I think that this blurred quality is visible in the picture that I took of it, which I was sure to be very still when taking. Afterwards, I thought that perhaps I should have been moving when I took it to better illustrate the quality I am trying to describe, but as I look at it now, I think that it is there anyway.
I remember studying the artist Paul Cezanne in art school, and it was told to us students in one class that he, and others from the time, used to drink absinthe, which was said to have hallucinogenic qualities. I recall the teacher explaining that this may have contributed to Cezanne painting trees in the way that he did, which I find similar to the flowers on the tree I have described. Below is Cezanne's example.
Cezanne's "Large Trees at Jas de Bouffan"
Years ago, I believe a short time after those art school years, I remember spending time with some fellow artists, walking around Central Park in New York after having taken acid. We noticed that many of the trees in the park reminded us of Cezanne paintings. We went to the Metropolitan Museum of Art later in the day and saw some of his work. It all made sense to us.
In my current middle-aged years, I have had some naturally occuring, near- hallucinogenic experiences, some like the ones I am describing here. I find them all the more beautiful that they have happened without the use of any mind-altering substances.
It seems to me that the ability to experience the natural world in different ways points to an openness to engage with a less restricted mind and eyes, and perhaps most importantly, to experience things how they exist. When I am able to see the world in this way, I feel like a completely included participant, even if only for that very moment.
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