inside outside

as i was saying to a the other day, i've come to believe that each of the activities we pursue externally (in a deep, penetrating kind of way) has a direct internal analog. that is, reading outside is like reading inside. learning to read between the lines of a poem, for instance, is also an exercise in reading between the lines inwardly. outward articulation is articulating within. photographing is observing the inner self. singing is leading the notes within to accuracy. and really, truly listening to the voice of another is just a way to cultivate greater sensitivity to the inner voice.

the external world then becomes a marvelous aid in enabling us to look in and understand the goings-on there. and learning to pull out the beauty of this world is only another means of emphasizing the beauty within and purifying the self.