Lani, I love this musing a lot and I'm amused by the synchronicity that there are parallel conversations around the same thing in my world.
Sharing these words and images that came through me as inspired by this post:
"We are thrusted into our body "knowing nothing" about the terrain. Our family and community offer us many maps to navigate the terrain - and naturally we accept them as true and accurate until we start to notice variations and discrepancies between the map and the terrain. Sometimes we doubt ourselves, thinking we've used the map wrong. Sometimes we freak about getting lost. Sometimes we get angry, annoyed and disappointed at the people who make the map. Sometimes we throw away the map and wander off track. Only when we've experienced the terrain fully in bloods, sweats and tears, we know that the map is never the terrain; the terrain changes and shifts all the time; that the map holds the truth for its original creator at the time of creation; that the terrain can never be replaced by and experienced through the map. Finally, we've come to realise we don't need to "know everything" about the terrain. The point is to immerse ourselves fully in the journey; be curious and learn about the delicate, intriguing details in the terrain; enjoy the company of fellow travellers; and maybe draw and leave behind a few maps if feel called to."
Thank you so much for your wisdom and words, Lani! 🤍🤍
Wow, Bonnie. You don’t know how gorgeous your words are to me because this weekend has been a bit challenging on a few fronts. Nothing serious and that’s what I told myself. Nevertheless, your response is like a healing balm. I want to return to them and I’m thrilled that this post evoked these words from you. Deep breaths. xxoo
I love this. As writers we’re constantly navigating between these spaces of what is real and what is mapped and what can be mappable. Words are especially limiting when it comes to mapping any sort of reality and yet it’s the medium we’ve both fallen in love with!
Yes, me too. Thanks, A. These days, realities are being shaped and shifted constantly, maps have moved into an exciting 3D interactive plane, but I have to remind myself that I’m looking at someone else’s map, so the trick becomes the question, ‘What is mine?’
Nice post, Lani! I'm struck by how much our models of physics, chemistry, taxonomies of species, etc keep changing. Our schemata change more slowly and all of us at different paces. No wonder people are drawn to the apparent certainties of maps or certain texts. But as you suggest, just as some texts change as our understanding of "reality" changes, so can our sense of reality change when the texts change. I guess that bit is what you call the liberation of language in your subtext.
You bring up a good point, Jeffrey. How our ‘maps’ are slow to change, and in the past we might not have felt it as much, but these days, where information is constantly updated and moving, maps can quickly feel outdated, but the map holder may or may not be aware of this. These are incredible times to say the least!
I always suspected that your Substack name might indicate an attraction to Donne's metaphysical take on things. (Love John Donne myself). Very excited to read all this although like Buddhism, trying to *really* understand makes me feel like I might need to lie down.
I give you:
"Mind itself is buddha.
Practice is difficult. Explanation is not difficult.
Not-mind. Not-buddha.
Explanation is difficult. Practice is not difficult."
Zen Master Dogen (1200-1253)
Much to consider - and a welcome distraction from the news. Thanks Lani x
Whoooweee. It’s too early in the morning for me to read this one. 🤣 But seriously, it’s pretty awesome. I was just thinking today of how much I’ve been too much in my head lately (not good for sleep!) and need to drop back down into my body, so to speak.
And John Donne? Not Don Johnson from Miami Vice? I need to have a sit down with Donne to see if we’ve met before. Thanks for the homework, Sue. xxoo
What is a map? What are boundaries? Like putting the world in a photo grid. You reminded me how much my mom and I used to love looking at atlases. I need to go back to that. Btw, I've loved reading all your recent posts and memoir excerpts. It's like going back in time with you as you discover more and more about your family and yourself. For me, it's been a whirlwind of to-do's, emotions, and then some since moving back to Louisiana. And I started an online grief writing class. Eeeeek. But a couple of days ago, I finally got to make myself a cup of tea, breathe and catch up on some reading. Congratulations on your memoir!! It's beautiful. xo
Thanks, Anne-Julia. ✨ We need a catch up ~ you’re moving back to the States?! I do love looking at maps, and for a time, I was enamored with topos (or topographic maps). I’m also glad you brought up boundaries, another limitation of maps versus terrains. ✨ And my gratitude for your kind words and feedback on my memoir. xo
I actually moved back to this part of the map in October. Karaaaaaazy, I know. Definitely need a catch-up. It feels like the past few months have been chocked full of life and emotions and all the things but also as if I only left Paris yesterday. And I haven't felt ready to write about any of it. Hopefully soon. 🤷🏻♀️ xo
This pieces reminds me of the psychological construct of schemas; mental maps/frameworks that help us to organise information and navigate the world (e.g., cultural schemas, social schemas...). The maps and terrain can differ depending on our lived experiences i.e., some of your schemas will be different to mine!
I am unfamiliar with Mark Bradford's work so thank you for sharing some of his art here!
Oh, he’s amazing. Glad to introduce you to his work. 🎨 And yes, schemas are another great way to look at it. For me, this idea, whatever you call it, helps me to identify biases, perspectives of knowing. Especially given the uncountable amounts of information being thrown at us second by second, it gives me some grounding, if that makes sense. Thanks, Sarah! xo
Ooo, a trippy thinker philosophical post--digging this! I sometimes feel like writing is map-making, and sometimes map-following, and I spend so much time on this I'm not out there, on terra firma, as you say, living it. Thanks for giving me a lot to think about tonight! (And I have catching up on your memoir to do!)
Yes, you pinned it. 📍📍📍I’ve been contemplating the nature of novels/stories as maps, too. Creating these worlds, or pulling forth inner ones, inviting the reader in, to see and experience. 🗺️ But I do wonder if by reading so many maps, if we gain a greater understanding of the world.
Thanks, Rebecca. Ever astute. And thanks for reading along! I’m glad I took a break then. xo
So cool Lani! It feels like you have written an preface to the chapter I am preparing for publication this weekend!!! Is this the matrix at work? 💕🙏 🕸️
Yeah, that’s the way it’s gotta be. A colleague was going off about how a recent event was OBVIOUSLY an act or terror. And I’m like, “Obviously? There’s nothing obvious about world events right now. How can you be so certain?”
Lani, I love this musing a lot and I'm amused by the synchronicity that there are parallel conversations around the same thing in my world.
Sharing these words and images that came through me as inspired by this post:
"We are thrusted into our body "knowing nothing" about the terrain. Our family and community offer us many maps to navigate the terrain - and naturally we accept them as true and accurate until we start to notice variations and discrepancies between the map and the terrain. Sometimes we doubt ourselves, thinking we've used the map wrong. Sometimes we freak about getting lost. Sometimes we get angry, annoyed and disappointed at the people who make the map. Sometimes we throw away the map and wander off track. Only when we've experienced the terrain fully in bloods, sweats and tears, we know that the map is never the terrain; the terrain changes and shifts all the time; that the map holds the truth for its original creator at the time of creation; that the terrain can never be replaced by and experienced through the map. Finally, we've come to realise we don't need to "know everything" about the terrain. The point is to immerse ourselves fully in the journey; be curious and learn about the delicate, intriguing details in the terrain; enjoy the company of fellow travellers; and maybe draw and leave behind a few maps if feel called to."
Thank you so much for your wisdom and words, Lani! 🤍🤍
Wow, Bonnie. You don’t know how gorgeous your words are to me because this weekend has been a bit challenging on a few fronts. Nothing serious and that’s what I told myself. Nevertheless, your response is like a healing balm. I want to return to them and I’m thrilled that this post evoked these words from you. Deep breaths. xxoo
Sending love and strength as you navigate the challenges in front of you. ✨
It’s going to be a banner year, Bonnie! Thanks for the love, back at you! xo
Thanks for the restack @Shondra Bowie 💞
The new material about the correspondence and paperwork sounds intriguing. I'm looking forward to it.
Thanks, Moorea! But please lower your expectations 😂 it’s just more of the military correspondence that helps to bring validity to the piece. xo
I love this. As writers we’re constantly navigating between these spaces of what is real and what is mapped and what can be mappable. Words are especially limiting when it comes to mapping any sort of reality and yet it’s the medium we’ve both fallen in love with!
Yes, me too. Thanks, A. These days, realities are being shaped and shifted constantly, maps have moved into an exciting 3D interactive plane, but I have to remind myself that I’m looking at someone else’s map, so the trick becomes the question, ‘What is mine?’
Nice post, Lani! I'm struck by how much our models of physics, chemistry, taxonomies of species, etc keep changing. Our schemata change more slowly and all of us at different paces. No wonder people are drawn to the apparent certainties of maps or certain texts. But as you suggest, just as some texts change as our understanding of "reality" changes, so can our sense of reality change when the texts change. I guess that bit is what you call the liberation of language in your subtext.
You bring up a good point, Jeffrey. How our ‘maps’ are slow to change, and in the past we might not have felt it as much, but these days, where information is constantly updated and moving, maps can quickly feel outdated, but the map holder may or may not be aware of this. These are incredible times to say the least!
Indeed!
I always suspected that your Substack name might indicate an attraction to Donne's metaphysical take on things. (Love John Donne myself). Very excited to read all this although like Buddhism, trying to *really* understand makes me feel like I might need to lie down.
I give you:
"Mind itself is buddha.
Practice is difficult. Explanation is not difficult.
Not-mind. Not-buddha.
Explanation is difficult. Practice is not difficult."
Zen Master Dogen (1200-1253)
Much to consider - and a welcome distraction from the news. Thanks Lani x
Whoooweee. It’s too early in the morning for me to read this one. 🤣 But seriously, it’s pretty awesome. I was just thinking today of how much I’ve been too much in my head lately (not good for sleep!) and need to drop back down into my body, so to speak.
And John Donne? Not Don Johnson from Miami Vice? I need to have a sit down with Donne to see if we’ve met before. Thanks for the homework, Sue. xxoo
What is a map? What are boundaries? Like putting the world in a photo grid. You reminded me how much my mom and I used to love looking at atlases. I need to go back to that. Btw, I've loved reading all your recent posts and memoir excerpts. It's like going back in time with you as you discover more and more about your family and yourself. For me, it's been a whirlwind of to-do's, emotions, and then some since moving back to Louisiana. And I started an online grief writing class. Eeeeek. But a couple of days ago, I finally got to make myself a cup of tea, breathe and catch up on some reading. Congratulations on your memoir!! It's beautiful. xo
Thanks, Anne-Julia. ✨ We need a catch up ~ you’re moving back to the States?! I do love looking at maps, and for a time, I was enamored with topos (or topographic maps). I’m also glad you brought up boundaries, another limitation of maps versus terrains. ✨ And my gratitude for your kind words and feedback on my memoir. xo
I actually moved back to this part of the map in October. Karaaaaaazy, I know. Definitely need a catch-up. It feels like the past few months have been chocked full of life and emotions and all the things but also as if I only left Paris yesterday. And I haven't felt ready to write about any of it. Hopefully soon. 🤷🏻♀️ xo
This pieces reminds me of the psychological construct of schemas; mental maps/frameworks that help us to organise information and navigate the world (e.g., cultural schemas, social schemas...). The maps and terrain can differ depending on our lived experiences i.e., some of your schemas will be different to mine!
I am unfamiliar with Mark Bradford's work so thank you for sharing some of his art here!
Oh, he’s amazing. Glad to introduce you to his work. 🎨 And yes, schemas are another great way to look at it. For me, this idea, whatever you call it, helps me to identify biases, perspectives of knowing. Especially given the uncountable amounts of information being thrown at us second by second, it gives me some grounding, if that makes sense. Thanks, Sarah! xo
Ooo, a trippy thinker philosophical post--digging this! I sometimes feel like writing is map-making, and sometimes map-following, and I spend so much time on this I'm not out there, on terra firma, as you say, living it. Thanks for giving me a lot to think about tonight! (And I have catching up on your memoir to do!)
Yes, you pinned it. 📍📍📍I’ve been contemplating the nature of novels/stories as maps, too. Creating these worlds, or pulling forth inner ones, inviting the reader in, to see and experience. 🗺️ But I do wonder if by reading so many maps, if we gain a greater understanding of the world.
Thanks, Rebecca. Ever astute. And thanks for reading along! I’m glad I took a break then. xo
So cool Lani! It feels like you have written an preface to the chapter I am preparing for publication this weekend!!! Is this the matrix at work? 💕🙏 🕸️
Probably 😂 I do love a good synchronized moment, xo
Yeah, that’s the way it’s gotta be. A colleague was going off about how a recent event was OBVIOUSLY an act or terror. And I’m like, “Obviously? There’s nothing obvious about world events right now. How can you be so certain?”