“And with respect to the problem of beauty—is this beauty intended? Or is it something that is the natural expression of a beautiful spirit? … To what degree was the intention of the art what we would call ‘aesthetic’ or to what degree expressive? And to what degree is the art something that they had simply learned to do that way? … How much of the beauty of our own lives is about the beauty of being alive? How much of it is conscious and intentional?” Spider’s web, bird’s song (The Power of Myth 100).
“The history of Western culture has been the steadily widening separation of the self from society. ‘I’ first, the individual first” (The Power of Myth 105).
Cringe culture, repression of self-expression, projection, lack of courage, shame.
Love is recognizing beauty
True love exists, but it can be scary because it exposes the innermost self, maskless
“Since true love sheds light on those aspects of ourselves we may wish to deny or hide, enabling us to see ourselves clearly and without shame, it is not surprising that so many individuals who say they want to know love turn away when such love beckons.” (All About Love)