Section 276 from “The Gay Science” by Friedrich Nietzsche
For the new year.— I still live. I still think: I still have to live, for I still have to think. Sum, ergo cogito: cogito, ergo sum. Today everybody permits himself the expression of his wish and his dearest thought; hence I, too, shall say what it is that I wish for myself today, and what was the first thought to run across my heart this year — what thought shall be for me the reason, warranty, and sweetness of my life henceforth. I want to learn more and more to see as beautiful what is necessary in things; then I shall be one of those who make things beautiful. Amor fati: let that be my love henceforth! I do not want to wage war against what is ugly. I do not want to accuse; I do not even want to accuse those who accuse. Looking away shall be my only negation. And all in all and on the whole: some day I wish to be only a *Yes-sayer.
*Yes-sayer, not in a political or social sense, but to the uncompromising acceptance of reality per se.
Amor fati: “Love of fate”
This concept of “Amor fati” goes straight to core of my stone balance practice. The ability to accept nature, however uncertain. including all of the harshest conditions, such as snow, rain, even wind. This has been the most rewarding approach for my senses thus far. embracing everything out of my control as a single process with my own flow. And the result often turns into something magically beautiful, or else (and) some kind of lesson in patience, problem solving, persistence, letting go, or any of the multitude of traits developed through practice.
I’ve come to love every season for its necessary conditions. When I embrace this allowance, then it seems synchronicity appears everywhere as if by grand design. This does not negate free will like many think, it is simply synergy of free will and surrounding environment without expectation. The more open I am in the moment, the more daring the rocks become.
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a videographer from the denver post is taking a fairly in-depth look at my activities!
[…] See some photos from that day here. […]
You are such a talented individual…it always amazes me what one can do when they search within. I love your art. Every time I see a stone I think of your work and the beauty of it all. I now have a small rock garden in which I have balanced several stones. It’s fallen once which gave me the opportunity to create a new scene. Thank you for sharing your talent.
[…] of sculptures with intriguing names like Mandelbrot Set, Amor Fati and Controlled Accident highlight the importance of getting to know the rocks before creating the […]
HI, Amazing work!
One question out of curiosity though. Why do you pour a handful of water on the rock you just balanced?
habit, ritual, wet rocks glistening in the sun are beautiful.. wet also brings out the colors in the rocks..
Hi Michael. I discovered your site after a friend shared one of your videos on Facebook. Been having a look through some of your posts & your skill to do this is amazing
Carin
Your work is so beautiful – whimsical, graceful, cherishable. The poise of the universe. Thank you for showing it to us
I used to be a huge skeptic (of Michael’s work, included) , but then I talked to the sun, and he told me that anything is possible.
STONE
Go inside a stone
That would be my way.
Let somebody else become a dove
Or gnash with a tiger’s tooth.
I am happy to be a stone.
From the outside the stone is a riddle:
No one knows how to answer it.
Yet within, it must be cool and quiet
Even though a cow steps on it full weight,
Even though a child throws it in a river;
The stone sinks, slow, unperturbed
To the river bottom
Where the fishes come to knock on it
And listen.
I have seen sparks fly out
When two stones are rubbed,
So perhaps it is not dark inside after all;
Perhaps there is a moon shining
From somewhere, as though behind a hill—
Just enough light to make out
The strange writings, the star-charts
On the inner walls.
Charles Simic, What the grass says, 1967
Thank you, Mr Grab. I live in Italy and I simply love stones.
There is a secret language in the world.
You understand it and, more, you are able to show it.
And I can only stop, look at your work and say: “Oh”.
Grazie.
You are amazing. This has me in awe. Thank you Michael!
read “Frederic The Great” is simple. Delving into his thinking is exhausting, little transparency, boring … continuing luminescence was seized by sudden, the thought becomes light, shiny, easy, intuitive, shareable, revolutionary. It has a large fault (by his own admission) that of being born posthumously!
While walking through our woods the other day I kneeled by the water flowing and found a couple of rocks and thought of you. I put a bigger one on top of a smaller one and it stayed, amazing what one can do while in the moment, it’s all we ever have like Eckhart Tolle would say.
Thank you for sharing
Inspiring quote]
Just beautiful! your work, the peace, a break from my stuff. Thank you.
Nice through and through!
Thank you for another beautiful creation, and also for these exquisite words. They have both touched me deeply.
thank you for showing me something I would not see otherwise
Naomi Wilson, show to Anais please.. We were talking about balancing stones
Enjoyed see the various stages of this design. Particularly the B&W first image and the color final result. Nice work
thank you Agent KeyStone Balance ;)
Pennsylvania = The Keystone state. All the stones in a balance sculpture are “key” stones. A little play on words. Heading out to enjoy the snow. Happy balancing.
This is lovely to read and I feel your feelings. I feel these feelings, too. To not fight, but to avoid war, and make beauty and peace is my intent, too. Thank you for your beautiful posts and beautiful art. It is unbelievable to see, and yet you do it.
Linda