#9

 

Design suggests wholeness 
by symbolically corresponding with itself 
in relative form. 
Design references a position that does not change, 
yet is always changing. 
In design there must be a symbols 
to which another symbol can be referred 
and create the correspondence between opposites.
This is the natural order of things. 
Design gives form and identity 
to this great transformation. 
Meaning and purpose 
when appearing as form 
identify the many variations 
of the original Chi. 

 * * * 

Design, a language vast and deep, 
Where symbols wake and symbols sleep. 
A dance of forms, both bold and true, 
In endless circles, ever new. 

It holds a truth, a constant ground, 
A steady pulse, yet spinning 'round. 
A place where opposites align, 
Where change and stillness intertwine. 

A symbol here, a symbol there, 
A whispered code upon the air. 
Through shifting shapes and endless flow, 
The Chi, the source, begins to grow. 

Wholeness found in fractured parts, 
A mirror in the human heart. 
Design, the thread that ties it all, 
In ever-changing, endless fall. 

Purpose carved in fleeting form, 
The great transformation born. 
In unity, diversity, 
All reflections of the cosmic sea. 

Through design, we come to see— 
The many parts, the unity. 
Each form a message, clear, precise, 
A step in life's great sacrifice. 

In symbol, we discover more, 
The Chi, the center, at the core. 
So let design in wholeness be, 
The key to all that is to be. 

* * * 

In the heart of a peaceful village, nestled between rolling hills and crystal-clear rivers, there was an ancient temple that held the secret to the nature of life itself. The temple, though humble, was a masterpiece of design—each stone, each curve, each intricate carving symbolizing a deep connection between the seen and unseen, the known and unknown. 

One morning, a young artist named Lina arrived at the temple, seeking to understand the great mystery of design. She had been taught the basics of painting and sculpture, but something inside her knew there was more to creation than just following rules. She wanted to know what gave art its true meaning, what made it come alive. 

As she wandered the temple, an elder priest, Master Qian, appeared before her. His eyes were wise, his steps slow and deliberate. He spoke gently, as though each word carried the weight of centuries. 





"Design," Master Qian began, "is not just a matter of shape and color. It reflects the universe itself. It is a symbol of wholeness, the way one form mirrors another, and how each change flows into the next." 

Lina listened carefully, though she did not fully understand. 

"Look at the stones beneath your feet," he said, pointing to the ancient steps. "Each one is different, yet they are all part of the same path. They correspond to one another, forming a whole, just as the elements of the world correspond to each other. Water, earth, fire, air—all shift, all change, but their essence remains constant." 

Master Qian continued, "Design reflects this truth. A shape may seem fixed, but it is always in motion, always shifting. Each form we create is a place for opposites to meet and balance. The solid and the fluid. The large and the small. The dark and the light." 

Lina felt a stirring in her heart. She had always admired the beauty of the world around her—how each flower bloomed in its own way, yet all shared the same rhythm of growth. How the sky changed from dawn to dusk, and yet each moment felt connected to the next. 

"What is this design?" she asked quietly.

 "It is life itself," Master Qian replied, "the dance of opposites that create balance and transformation. It is the chi—the life force that flows through all things. When you create, you are giving form to that energy, giving it purpose and meaning. Just as the river changes its course, but always finds its way to the sea, so too does design evolve, but it always remains true to its original source." 

Lina thought for a moment, then asked, "And what about the symbols? You mentioned them—how do they work together?" 

Master Qian smiled. "Every symbol is a doorway to another. One shape leads to another, just as one moment in time flows into the next. The symbol you create today will lead to the symbol of tomorrow. Each is a reference to the other, each a reminder of the unchanging order behind the chaos. They are the language of the universe." 

As the sun dipped low, casting long shadows over the temple’s stone walls, Lina began to see the world in a new light. She understood that her art was not simply a personal expression—it was part of a grand, eternal design. Every brushstroke, every chisel mark was an echo of something much greater than herself. She was not just an artist; she was a conduit for the great transformation of life. 

From that day on, Lina’s work reflected this truth. Her paintings no longer merely depicted the world; they embodied the forces that moved through it. Each piece told a story of opposites coming together, of change and continuity, of form and formlessness. 

And in this way, Lina learned to create not just art, but meaning. Through design, she gave form to the endless dance of life, and in doing so, she became one with the great transformation of the Chi. 

* * * 

In the heart of the world, nestled between realms both seen and unseen, there was a place known only to those who could see the unseen. It was a land not bound by time, nor shaped by the hands of men, but by something older, far older—something that was not made, but unfolded with every breath of the universe. 

This was the land of Design. 

The air hummed with energy, a kind of rhythm that could only be understood by those who had been there long enough to listen. Patterns floated like soft winds, spinning around and connecting. The land was filled with symbols—some bold and shimmering, others faint and translucent, but each one a piece of the great puzzle that held all things together. 

In the center of it all stood a figure. Not a person, but a presence—an essence, you might say—that seemed to flow and shift with every passing moment. It was neither still nor moving, but rather in an eternal dance with itself. Its form was made of shapes that defied the logic of the physical world: circles that bent into spirals, lines that turned into waves, and triangles that folded into squares. And in the spaces between, there was a pulse—a constant, steady rhythm, the heartbeat of the land. This was Chi—the source, the center, the wellspring of all creation. 

One day, a traveler from a distant world stumbled into this place. His name was Niro, a seeker of truths, a wanderer who had heard whispers of this realm in his dreams. He had traveled far, through forests of fire and across oceans of stars, seeking a deeper meaning, something beyond the limitations of his own understanding. But when he arrived in the land of Design, he found not what he expected—no answers, no sages, no sacred tomes—but a vast, living, breathing symphony of forms. 

At first, Niro was disoriented. The air felt thick with the power of the symbols, and each symbol seemed to call to him in a language he could not understand. But there was something oddly familiar about it—a sense that he had encountered this language before, in his heart, in his dreams, in the very rhythms of his life. 




He reached out to touch one of the symbols. As his fingers brushed its surface, the symbol flared into life, expanding and contracting, its edges shifting and changing like a river carving its path through time. Niro could feel it—this was not just a shape, it was a story. It was a fragment of something larger, something whole, something cosmic. 

Suddenly, the presence in the center of the land spoke—not with words, but with the movement of its ever-changing form. "You seek, yet what you seek is not separate from you," it seemed to say. "The design is within you, in every choice you make, in every step you take. You, too, are a symbol in this dance." 

Niro stood in silence, feeling the weight of those words settle deep within him. He looked around and saw the symbols again, but this time, they were no longer foreign. They were familiar. They were his own. 

He began to move, guided by the flow of the designs. He felt his body become one with the land, as if he were part of an intricate web stretching out into eternity. Each step he took caused new shapes to form around him, and each shape revealed a new truth—about him, about the world, about everything. 

The symbols around him whispered their secrets—change and stillness are not opposites, but part of the same flow. Wholeness is not the absence of parts, but the embrace of them. Through the ever-changing, we find the eternal. And in that moment, Niro understood. 

Design was not just a language; it was the way of life itself. It was the thread that tied all things together, from the smallest grain of sand to the vastness of the stars. It was the Chi—the pulse at the center of everything—and it was within him, as it was within all things. 

As Niro danced among the shifting forms, he felt a deep peace settle into his heart. He had come seeking answers, but instead, he had found unity. The many parts of the world—his own fragmented experiences, the fractured pieces of his past—were all part of the same grand design, moving toward something greater than he could ever comprehend. 

And so, in the land of Design, Niro became one with the symbols. He knew now that he was not separate from them, but part of the ever-unfolding dance. The flow of change and stillness, of chaos and order, all wove together in a single, infinite pattern. He was both the traveler and the journey, the question and the answer, the symbol and the meaning. 

And in that moment, he understood the greatest truth of all: through Design, all things come to be.


* * *


Bridging the gap between divine omniscience
and mortal awareness.

Find your truth. Know your mind. Follow your heart. Love eternal will not be denied. Discernment is an integral part of self-mastery. You may share this post on a non-commercial basis, the author and URL to be included. Please note … posts are continually being edited. All rights reserved. Copyright © 2025 C.G. Garant.




 
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#7


In all of creation there is desire 
and from this desire 
 arises every beginning. 
When purpose and meaning unite, 
all forms move in accordance with creation. 
There cannot be an error 
when desire is rooted in meaning 
and is purposefully designated. 
In design meaning and purpose, 
the tangible and the intangible, 
come together enacting the One of everything. 
They then separate 
enacting the parts of everything. 
Separate meaning and purpose 
 and design will not be understood. 
Design is something more. 

 * * * 

In the heart of creation, desire stirs, 
A spark that ignites what the soul defers. 
From this yearning, all things take flight, 
A dance of meaning, a blaze of light. 

When purpose and meaning in union stand, 
The forms align as they’ve been planned. 
No fault, no flaw, when roots are deep, 
In the soil of truth, where all things sleep. 

The tangible, the unseen, they blend, 
In design, they rise, and then descend. 
The One in all, the all in One, 
A cycle begun, and yet undone. 

When separated, the parts take shape, 
Each one a note in a grand escape. 
But lost is the song without the whole, 
Design, more than parts, speaks to the soul. 

For purpose and meaning, when torn apart, 
Leave us grasping for the beating heart. 
Design is not merely what we see 
It’s the pulse that binds, the harmony. 

In every longing, in every trace, 
There lives the echo of a sacred space— 
Where desire, purpose, and meaning meet, 
And all of creation becomes complete. 

* * * 

In the beginning, before time had woven its threads and the world had been painted in its myriad hues, there was only a singular force - desire. It was not the kind of desire known to human hearts, fleeting and selfish, but the deepest longing of the cosmos itself, a longing that pulsed at the very core of existence. In that primordial moment, desire was not born of want, but of the innate yearning for meaning and purpose. It was the heartbeat of creation. 



From this desire, everything emerged. The stars, the planets, the mountains and rivers, the breath of the wind, and the touch of the rain—all these were but whispers of that great longing. The sun and moon danced together in the sky, not out of habit, but because they shared in the eternal yearning that had first given them life. The animals roamed, not aimlessly, but in accordance with the rhythm of creation’s desire. Even the smallest grain of sand, the most insignificant of drops in the ocean, was part of this grand design. 



Purpose and meaning, like two great lovers, joined hands in the heart of this cosmic dance. When they met, all things moved in perfect harmony, a perfect unity of thought and action. There was no confusion, no chaos, only the flawless unfolding of existence. In every leaf that fluttered in the breeze, in every heartbeat that echoed through the silent expanse of the universe, there was purpose. In every pattern that formed in the night sky, in every whisper of a distant galaxy, there was meaning. The One, the All, was alive and aware, and it was through desire that all began and all was understood. 


And yet, in the brilliance of creation, there was still room for more. For the desire to know, to understand, was endless. As the great unity unfolded, the One gave birth to the many. From the single spark of desire, countless forms emerged, each separate but never truly apart. Stars split into constellations, and galaxies wove themselves into spirals of light. Each form had its own purpose, its own meaning, and yet each was connected to the others in an intricate web of existence. 



But there was a secret at the heart of it all—an understanding that could not be grasped by mere separation of parts. For design, the very blueprint of creation, was something more than the sum of its parts. It was not enough to see only the individual stars, the singular mountain, or the solitary river. To understand the design, one had to see them all, united in purpose, moving together in the great dance of existence. 





And so, the world moved, not in isolated fragments but in an intricate, infinite pattern, one that no mortal mind could fully comprehend. Desire, meaning, and purpose intertwined in ways that defied logic, but that did not mean they were any less real. It was not an error when desire was rooted in meaning, nor when purpose was bound to the greater design—it was the very essence of what made creation whole. 

Those who sought to understand the world through the separation of parts, to dissect and categorize each thing, would never fully grasp the truth. For meaning and purpose did not dwell in the isolation of the individual. They lived in the dance, in the joining of all things, in the ebb and flow of the One and the many. To truly know design, one had to see with the eyes of the heart, to feel the pulse of desire that throbbed through every stone, every tree, every star. 

For in that desire was the key to all things. It was the force that held together the fabric of existence, not as something rigid and fixed, but as a living, breathing, ever-changing thing. And only those who understood that desire could see the world as it truly was—not as parts, but a masterpiece of meaning and purpose. 

In design, there was not only structure and form, but a dance of infinite possibility. A single breath could change everything. A single thought could create worlds. Desire was the origin, and from it, purpose and meaning would emerge, again and again, in endless creation. And in that endless creation, the One would always remain, infinite and eternal. 

* * * 

In a time before time, when the universe had yet to form, there existed only the whisper of desire. It was not a longing like the ones we know now, but a silent stir deep within the fabric of creation. The desire was pure—a spark waiting for its moment to set everything into motion. 

In that void, there was nothing but the pulse of something more. Yet, from that pulse, a question began to bloom: What if there was something else? What if there was meaning to the silence? And so, with a whisper that reverberated across the endless dark, the first spark of creation flared into life. 





The spark caught on something deeper, a thread of purpose that unraveled across the void. It was a force, a light that bent and twisted, weaving through the darkness, drawing shapes and forms from nothingness. As if every element had been waiting for this moment to begin its dance. Matter was born from this spark, energy flowed into shapes and rhythms, and everything became interconnected by the thread of desire—an invisible force pulling everything into a harmonious design. 

It was in this moment that the first beings emerged, each one a piece of the whole, distinct yet incomplete. They were beautiful in their imperfection, for they had not yet realized their purpose. The trees, the mountains, the oceans, the stars—each was born from the same spark, but they did not yet understand that they were all part of a greater whole. 

The first beings wandered through the world they had been given, feeling the hunger of purpose deep within them. Some were content to grow, some longed to understand, while others simply were. But all felt the tension, the echo of something greater just beyond their reach. They were each a note in a grand song, yet the music was not whole without the melody that bound them together. 

As ages passed, some beings began to realize the deeper truth—they were not alone, not separate. The mountains spoke to the trees, the stars whispered to the oceans, and even the winds carried the voices of all the earth’s creatures. In this subtle exchange, they came to understand that design was more than the visible forms they wore. It was the pulse that held them together, the rhythm of desire that flowed through everything. 

One day, a great gathering of beings took place, as if the universe had called them all together for the first time. In the stillness that followed, a voice—ancient and timeless—spoke. 

“Look,” it said. “You have wandered long in search of your own meaning, but meaning is not in the fragments of your being. It is in the unity you have yet to realize. Desire brought you forth, but it is purpose that will complete you.” 

And so, in that sacred space, where the tangible and the unseen converged, the beings understood. The pulse, the desire, the purpose—they were all part of the same whole. They were not separate, but one. The world was not a collection of isolated pieces but a single, living design—a song sung by the universe itself. 

From that moment on, the dance continued, each being knowing now that it was not just its own purpose it served, but the purpose of the whole. Together, they moved in rhythm with the pulse of creation, each note adding to the melody of life. And in the silence between the notes, they found the meaning they had been seeking all along. 

For when desire, purpose, and meaning meet, all of creation becomes complete. 


* * *


Bridging the gap between divine omniscience
and mortal awareness.


Find your truth. Know your mind. Follow your heart. Love eternal will not be denied. Discernment is an integral part of self-mastery. You may share this post on a non-commercial basis, the author and URL to be included. Please note … posts are continually being edited. All rights reserved. Copyright © 2025 C.G. Garant. 

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Introduction

 

The Design Archetype 

The Design Archetype plays a pivotal role in guiding us through our personal hero’s journey. Each life experience presents a story, one that we interpret and uncover through our own lens, revealing deeper meanings about ourselves. This archetype encompasses every personal narrative we create as we navigate the world, shaping our understanding of reality, consciousness, and the collective growth we share. Through our individual perspectives, we become the central character in our own unfolding story, by subconsciously constructing within the framework of meaning and purpose we exercise when delving into the depths of our psyche. 

The Design Archetype, as a universal principle, is the underlying force through which all archetypes are made manifest. It can be seen as a vast reservoir of concepts, ideas, and patterns that are shared by all of us, while perpetually resonating, adapting, and evolving over time. Each of these elements carries its own significance, purpose, and value, by constantly transforming by virtue of our own awareness. 

The Design Archetype forms the invisible and universal connections between the tangible and intangible, helping us weave the threads of our own consciousness. It serves as a guiding force through periods of change, using a symbolic language we’ve individually developed for ourselves. Through design, we uncover not only the meaning and purpose of our existence but also a deeper sense of self, both individually and collectively. 

What is Design? 

At first glance, the question "What is design?" might seem straightforward. Most people believe they know what design is, yet many find it challenging to articulate. Often, we rely on our personal experiences, drawing from tangible examples of design, to understand it. These examples may seem unique or interesting, helping us form a visual conception of what design entails. In reflecting on our past experiences, we may recall instances where we “designed” something ourselves. This exploration reveals that design is not merely about visual aesthetics, but rather about a process—a deeply personal and creative journey through which we attempt to create meaning. 

Design, in its broadest sense, connects a variety of individual creative actions and ideas, all aligned toward achieving a specific objective. These actions are often driven by a preconceived vision or concept of what we aim to create. Design, then, is not just an outcome, but also a process through which we engage in the act of creation. It merges diverse elements of creativity and thought to form something tangible, whether it be an object, an event, or an experience. 

Every day, we navigate the world by responding to it mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Our reactions—conscious or subconscious—shape our understanding of reality, which we interpret and react to in countless ways. The term “design” comes from the Latin signum, meaning "the action of making a mark or sign." In essence, design is the process of creating and interpreting symbols—an activity that is deeply embedded in our subconscious and unconscious mind. Our perception of "reality" including the world is inherently symbolic. What we create and how we perceive it are products of the same
same "consciousness" that allows us to experience and interpret reality. 




Likewise, what we design and create are also symbolic in nature. The world we craft for ourselves is a constructed reality, are shaped by symbols that we imagine, define, describe, perceive and observe as real. This symbolic character extends to everything we know, feel, and think. 

When we encounter our world and vision of reality, we instinctively seek its' meaning - whether consciously or unconsciously. Each design, however, will carry a multitude of interpretations, depending upon who is perceiving and/or observing it. Through design, we can transcend the boundaries of our own creation, expanding our ability and capacity to imagine, by learning to expand beyond the limitations we impose upon ourselves. 

Design appears to be an instinctive impulse, deeply  rooted in a patterned set of behaviors that influence how we personally engage with the world. Carl Jung posited that humans are genetically encoded with archetypal symbols that emerge in our consciousness. These symbols provide a collective wisdom, helping us navigate the challenges of life. 

Design operates as the conduit between these archetypes by facilitating, i.e. channeling light, energy and information in the form of individual and collective patterns of creative expression. The design process acts as an agent between the tangible and intangible. By engaging in the act of symbol-making, we harmonize our conscious and unconscious worlds by means of our subconscious, as well as our subjective and objective perceptions of reality'
 




The act of symbol making by means of design bridges seemingly opposing qualities. Design seeks balance, forging connections between disparate elements to create something meaningful. It enables us to align elements of life that might initially appear incompatible, reflecting the dynamic interplay of diverse forces. The conscious act of design is a tool we use to navigate and make sense of our world - connecting us to both the material and symbolic realms. 

The Tao, an ancient philosophical concept, is often described as beyond human comprehension. It is vast, nameless, formless, and unpredictable - yet is symbolically expressed through the patterns found in nature. The Tao encompasses all existence which includes humanity; all things are viewed as an integral part of this larger cosmic order. Taoism teaches that all things are alive, contributing to the unfolding of the Tao. 

To speak of the Tao is to acknowledge this vast, mysterious force. Design, much like the Tao, has a transcendental quality, enabling us to move beyond rational constraints while remaining grounded in practical reality. It helps us attune ourselves to the interwoven patterns of the universe and participate in the formation of our personal and collective reality. 

In Taoist thought, the image of a person walking down a long path represents the journey of life. The Tao is the path itself, suggesting that life is a process of continuous learning, self-cultivation, and ultimately, oneness with the Tao. Similarly, design is a process that allows us to harmonize our experiences, intellect, and spirit. When we align ourselves with this greater Design, we achieve balance and unity. This harmony is expressed symbolically through the things we create the thoughts we entertain, and the actions we take. 

Design, in its essence, is a tool for revealing the deeper meaning and purpose embedded in the forms and actions that accompany us on our journey. It allows us to engage both mind and heart in ways that are attuned to our spiritual essence. While the Tao itself defies ordinary description, it can be expressed through the symbols we create and the lives we lead. In this way, design serves as a conduit for expressing the mysteries of the Tao, guiding us toward a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us. 

About the Design Archetype

The Design Archetype reveals the process of design as a deeply hidden awareness (transition, translation and transformation) veiled in everything we sense and observe. Change expresses itself in small, microcosmic and subtle ways. Each poem and story harbor their own unique set of symbols, circumstances, inputs, outputs, impressions and feelings. Some stories appear to be strikingly similar, yet each should be likened to a snowflake harboring a series of symbolic impressions of its own design and creation. Observe, embrace and listen very closely; each is calling out to you in their own special way.

Design is veiled within every nuance that appears to be real. We all participate in the search for meaning and purpose. We are all creators walking a path of our own design. 

The Design Archetype is based upon an infinite number of multidimensional impressions and overlapping fields of energy in motion. Each relative focus harbors the potential of generating a limitless number of links between them. Each correspondence is likened to a twisted, i.e. entangled, multifilament fiber composed of a mental, emotional, physical and spiritual filament. Each filament is composed of an array of vibrational frequencies within an allotted band (spectrum) of observation. 

The concept of change emerges due to the relationship of the contextual framework in which these correspondences emerge when generated in conjunction within and beyond, the consciousness of the observer. This phenomenon occurs and is made relatively apparent at a quantum, i.e. subconscious, level of awareness. 

Blog Methodology: 

Each post begins with an original passage, followed by an AI-assisted poem and first story, all are based upon my original text. The second story is derived from the poem. AI is generated and sourced by ChatGPT *. Each image is created in reference to the works of various artists and photographers, whose sources, credits, and contact information are provided further in this introduction. The images are rendered in my personal style, using points, lines, shapes, and patterns, all carefully combined to convey and highlight my own impressions surrounding every story. 


* The author generated this text in part with GPT-3, OpenAI’s large-scale language-generation model. Upon generating draft language, the author reviewed, edited, and revised the language to their own liking and takes ultimate responsibility for the content of this publication.

Other References/Links

Other Blogs by C.G. Garant

* * *

Image References:

Hieroglyphic Luvian Stele from Carchemish (Ashmolean Museum, Oxford) https://ancientworldblog.blogspot.com/2011/02/luvian-luwian-viz-hieroglyphic-hittite.html 

Russian Jack
Photo, courtesy of the Palmerston City Library, New Zealand: A175/307 
 
JIUFOTK Hobo Symbols 

Credits #1 
Sculpture 
by Kuno Vollet - Intertwined
Kalash Herb Healer 

Credits #2 
Leaf on Water 

Credits #3 
Well? 
(Young Woman) 
Unfinished portrait 
By Manuel San-Payo 

Credits #4 
(Tapestry) Jute Woven Tapestry 
17th Century Charles II Carved Armchair/ 

Credits #5
Terrible Tornado
Tammy Ishmael-Reeves Morris https://www.pinterest.com/tammy1x/

Credits #6 
Old Men’s Toy Shop Album – Old Man Doing Woodwork

Credits #7 
Line creating Circle 
Original Light burst 

Credits: #8


Credits: #9 
Ch’an Master Xu Yun 

Credits: #10 

Credits: #11 
Last Flight of the Year 
Birds in Flight 
Norhan: Instagram.com/_n_o_r_h_a_n_/ …. norhadelhadry474 

Credits: #12 
Old Wise Tree 
Forest Fountain 

Credits: #13 
Hand Carved Wooden Bowl 

Elderly man and woman 

Credits #14 
Weaving 
John Muir at Merced River 
University of the Pacific/University Libraries https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/jmp/237/ 

Credits: #15 
Pondering Old Woman 
Old Roses 

Credits: #16 
Woman in window 
Flowers in Meadow 

Credits #17 
Quilt 
Conclave 
Sphere 
Stone Granite Garden Sphere Chairish, 

Credits #18 
Stone Circle 
Ceramics and Pottery Arts and Resources 
Campfire 
Petroglyphs 
Jeff Springer 

Credits #19 
Arch 
“Archway, Arches, Abbey, Yorkshire, Dales, Jervaulx, … 
Weaver 
Tejedora Sillustani-Peru- Photo by Carlos Cerulla on flikr 

Credits #20 
Portrait of a Jain Monk in Meditation in Palitana, India - 1928 
Old Indian Photos, Historical Photographs of Indian Subcontinent 
Antique Chinese han era pottery vessels (202 bce – 22… 

Credits #21 
Rock in clearing 
Seismic Ghost 
Winter and the Green 

Credits #22 
Clouds 
Young Girl 

Credits #23 
Dwelling in the woods 

Credits #24 
Farmer 
Presbyterian Archives Research Centre MLS-5-J-006 https://www.flickr.com/photos/pcanzarchives/ 

Credits #25 
Martial Artist 
Geisha – Japan 
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#1

 

In form, 
meaning has taken its purpose and is full. 
Purpose is the unmaking of meaning 
and meaning the unmaking of purpose. 
The emptying of the two into form 
appears to be formless. 
The form is neither and both. 
Within the moving union of every form 
is the stillness of meaning and purpose. 
Any endeavor to distinguish between them 
is an attempt to label a transient event 
 appearing in relative time and space. 
Always look at form very simply, 
very appreciatively, 
 and very ordinarily 
to discover its true magic. 

 * * * 

In form, meaning finds its purpose whole, 
A dance of lines and shapes that makes the soul. 
But purpose, like the breath, undoes its truth—
While meaning fades, and takes its fleeting youth. 

Two forces spin, yet never touch the ground, 
The space between, where neither's fully found. 
The emptiness within each shifting frame, 
Is where both rest unnamed and yet the same. 

Stillness dwells where motion spins its thread, 
In every form, the quiet voice is led. 
To label time or space is but a dream— 
A fleeting echo of a constant stream. 

So look at form with simple, humble eyes, 
And see the magic, silent as the skies. 
For in the ordinary, the world unfolds, 
A truth beyond what time or mind controls. 

* * * 

Once upon a time, in a quiet village nestled between misty mountains, there lived an old storyteller named Elara. She was known far and wide not for the tales she told, but for the way she could make the world itself feel like a story, full of mystery and wonder. People came from all around to listen to her speak, hoping to understand the deeper meaning of life, but they often left with more questions than answers. 



One evening, a young traveler named Kael came to the village. He was a curious soul, always seeking the truth behind the mysteries of the world. Hearing about Elara’s wisdom, he sought her out. When he found her, she was sitting at the edge of a river, watching the water flow over the smooth stones, her gaze calm and steady. He approached her and asked, “Grandmother Elara, I have spent my life searching for meaning. But I am beginning to wonder if I will ever truly understand what it is. Can you help me?” 

Elara smiled softly, her eyes sparkling with a secret knowledge. “Meaning, my dear Kael, is not something you can find by seeking it directly. It is like the water in this river. You cannot grasp the river itself by reaching into it. Yet, you can drink from it, let it wash over you, and feel its flow. In this way, meaning has already found its place within you, just as the river finds its place in the earth.” 

Kael sat beside her, still not fully understanding. “But what of purpose? I know that I must have a purpose, a reason for being. If meaning is like the river, then what is purpose?” 

Elara paused and then, with a gesture that seemed to embrace the world itself, said, “Purpose is not separate from meaning, though it may appear so at times. Purpose is like the movement of the river. It gives form to the flow, yet it is the river itself that carries it forward. Without the stillness of the water, the river cannot move; and without the movement, the stillness is not truly still. Purpose and meaning are two sides of the same coin.” 

She watched Kael as he processed her words, then continued, “Many spend their lives trying to separate meaning from purpose, as if they are two different things. But when you try to grasp either one, they slip away, like water slipping through your fingers. They are not meant to be separate. Instead, they dance together, creating form and movement, stillness and change. And when you look at form—whether it is a stone, a tree, or a person—if you look at it simply, appreciatively, and ordinarily, you will see that there is magic in it. A magic that exists beyond the need for explanation.” 

Kael sat silently for a long time, watching the river. The sun was setting, casting a soft golden glow over the water. In that moment, he began to see the truth in Elara’s words. The river was not merely a flow of water; it was the very essence of life, a constant balance between stillness and movement, between purpose and meaning. 

As the evening drew on, Elara stood and stretched, her old bones creaking like the branches of a tree. “The world,” she said with a knowing smile, “is full of forms, each one carrying within it both the stillness of meaning and the movement of purpose. Your job, dear Kael, is not to chase after them, but to appreciate them as they are.” 

With that, Kael left the riverbank, his heart lighter, his mind clearer. The answers he sought had not been given to him in the way he expected. Instead, they had found him in the quiet simplicity of the world around him. From that day forward, he looked at everything—whether stone, sky, or person—with a new sense of appreciation, understanding that true magic lay not in grasping meaning or purpose, but in recognizing the harmony between them. 

And so, the village, the river, and Elara’s words continued to flow through Kael’s life, teaching him that meaning and purpose are not separate things to be pursued, but an ever-present union to be experienced, simply and fully, in every moment. 

* * * 




Lena stood in the empty gallery, her fingers gently brushing the smooth edge of the latest sculpture—an abstract piece made of metal, stretching and twisting into shapes that seemed impossible yet real. She had been coming to the museum for weeks now, each visit filling her with the same quiet awe. The work was magnificent in its complexity, but it was also elusive. It seemed to mean something, but no matter how closely she looked, the meaning slipped through her fingers like water. 

She sighed softly, gazing at the pieces around her—each one a dance of form and substance, each one pulling her in with its promises of understanding. But each time, the same question arose in her mind: What am I missing? 

A figure entered the gallery, a man she hadn’t noticed before. He seemed out of place—too casual for such a refined setting. His eyes, however, were focused, as if he had come here with a purpose, and not just to admire the art but to understand it. He stopped beside her, glancing at the same sculpture she was examining. 

"It's strange, isn't it?" he said, breaking the silence. "You look at something like this and you know it’s supposed to mean something. But the more you try to define it, the more it slips away." 

Lena nodded, a little surprised by the way he put it. "Yes. It feels like there’s something there, but it keeps fading. I can’t put my finger on it." 

He smiled softly, eyes twinkling with a quiet kind of wisdom. "I think that’s the point." 

"The point?" 

"Form without meaning, meaning without form. They need each other to exist, but they never fully meet. If you try to capture meaning in form, it’s like trying to hold water in your hands." 

Lena felt a little discomfort at that, as if his words had struck something deep within her. "But isn’t that frustrating? To know there’s something, but never quite see it?" 

"It’s not about seeing it," he said, moving closer to the sculpture. "It’s about feeling it. The space between the forms, the quietness in the motion—that’s where the truth lies. It’s a dance, not a puzzle." 

He gestured to the space between the twisting lines of the sculpture, the shadows that shifted with the changing light. "When you stop trying to define it, that’s when you begin to see it for what it really is." 

Lena looked at the sculpture again, but this time, her gaze softened. She stopped trying to make sense of the jagged edges and fluid curves. Instead, she felt the stillness between them—the way the light shifted, and the shadows held their breath. It was like the sculpture was breathing, and in that moment, she realized the truth wasn’t in the form or the meaning. It was in the space between them, the emptiness that made them both possible. 

"It's beautiful," she whispered. 

He nodded, as if he’d known all along. "Sometimes, the most profound truths are the ones that cannot be named, the ones that live between the lines." 

She stood there for a while, the quiet filling her, the stillness of the space stretching out around her like an open sky. And for the first time, she understood. The sculpture had no fixed meaning because it wasn’t meant to be understood in the way she had been trying. It was meant to be felt. 

And in that feeling, she saw the magic. 

As the man turned to leave, Lena stayed where she was, her eyes tracing the lines and shapes of the sculpture once more. But now, she no longer sought meaning in the form. She simply let the stillness wash over her, like the breath of the world itself. 

And in the quiet, she knew that in the ordinary, the world had unfolded its truth.

* * *

Bridging the gap between omniscience
and mortal awareness.


Edited: Find your truth. Know your mind. Follow your heart. Love eternal will not be denied. Discernment is an integral part of self-mastery. You may share this post on a non-commercial basis, the author and URL to be included. Please note … posts are continually being edited. All rights reserved. Copyright © 2025 C.G. Garant. 








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#9

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