Be like water

Chinese or Japanese calligraphy art is all about immersion. One has to dissipate into one's element through studies. If you think of the studies as a commitment, your consciousness will disrupt the natural flow and obscure the true purpose.

Writing calligraphy is not about focus or executing a premeditated design or a pattern. The aim of endless hours with the brush is to make you lose yourself in the studies. Do not remember, but forget instead. When you think what to write, it is your arm or mind that writes. When you stop thinking, then the Universe writes for you.

To write smoothly, one has to become like water. It flows naturally, it is desire-free, and goes to where the geography of the land leads it to. The same with writing Chinese calligraphy. If the mind is knowledgeable, and the spirit pure and strong, the brush will glide like a dragon on the vast skies. The years of training is the geography of your art. Smoothen it with your studies, but do not forget about the beauty of mountains. When your spirit meets them, it will curve graciously. Your pure mind and clear soul is the water. Do not pollute it, do not regulate it. Let it remain like a child.

Writing calligraphy could be compared to a strong feeling,. You are not supposed to control it. Let the emotions out. When you master the rules, and then forget them, it is when the journey begins. Stroll with your head upright, but do not be conceited. Chinese calligraphy is created in the absence of pride. Do not look back either, you are not going that way.

My teacher once said: "I cannot write the way I was writing last year, and I do not know what my writing will be like next year. I do not focus on either. I do not wish to know what the spring will be like. I enjoy the winter, and welcome the change in weather with anticipation. This is what makes my life worth living for. Instead of wasting the energy on predicting, it is better to cherish what we have and learn how to adjust. This is the true way of living through writing. "

Calligraphy teex:
白雲深處金龍躍 碧波心裏玉兎驚

Glittering sun was ascending like a golden dragon amongst the deep white clouds. Reflection of the astonished jade moon was sinking deep beneath the blue ocean waves

It is a Zen phrase with multiple possible interpretations.

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Many thanks to Yuki Mori  for finding this phrase, and her help with interpretation.