Because We Never Stop Loving Silently Those We Once Loved Out Loud
In silence we can communicate volumes of heart-full truth and simplify a moment, this moment now, to the essential. The practice which many refer to as “gazing” that traverses the globe in many forms is an important part of the work I love and offer within the context of my workshops. This gazing in silence whilst maintaining eye contact is so simple and powerful and, of course, intimate. And it has a mysterious way of “growing” love like a young plant whilst allowing nourishment, vulnerability, connection and communication that words could never touch.
This is also beautifully exemplified in some of the practice and offerings of artist Marina Abramovic. At her 2010 MoMa retrospective Marina performed ‘The Artist Is Present’ as part of the show, where she shared a minute of silence with each stranger who sat in front of her.
In this particular instance, Marina was met by a former lover, Ulay. Marina and Ulay were artists who met and fell in love in the 70s. They shared an intense love story and creative collaborations for a decade. When they ended this chapter together, they ritualized their ending and parted ways after one final trip across The Great Wall of China. They began at opposite ends, each walking the 2500 kilometers to meet in the middle before they said goodbye.
May we all know the simple longing and loving in our hearts and be able to speak in silence the essentials of love.
“I feel there is nothing more truly artistic than to love people.”
