The Sacred Pedagogy of Art - Part 2
By Brother Theophan (Part 2; Part 1 can be found here ) The Vanishing Self and the Overview Effect Art can also profoundly shape us spiritually by cultivating a sense of the “vanishing self” or the “overview effect.” Let me explain briefly. In my upcoming book, Dreaming Reality , I explore the different ways we experience selfhood and connect with the world and cosmos. One prominent form is what we might call the default self. The brain naturally shifts into this mode, especially when we lack systematic contemplative practice. The default self perceives itself as an independent, separate, “skin-encapsulated” entity that feels in control and seeks to manage people and circumstances to serve its own happiness. The default self serves as a crucial “interface” your brain uses to help you function as a human being. However, it can easily become hyperactive, leading to self-centeredness, which in turn triggers anxiety, rumination, endless worry, depression, and, at