INSPIRATION

INSPIRATION.

The ancient Greeks believed the origins of "inspiration" flowed forth from the nine sisters, all daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne, the "goddess" of memory. These daughters seem to have inherited power and authority from their father, Zeus. The power to inspire mortals with creative ideas in the arts and the science, seems to have been coupled with the arousal and excitement of creativity, inspired perhaps by their mother.
We all know the emotional power of both nostalgic memories on one hand and the passionate or romantic stirrings which move the human heart when an “inspired” work of art "moves" us. Both nostalgia and passion seem to be inherited from Mnemosyne.
The Greek name for magnetized iron was Heraclitus, a word related to Hercules. The Socratic dialogue from Plato’s “Ion” uses this word in describing the “magnetizing” transfer of power that begins with the POET, who Plato equates with a PROPHET, or ORACLE. This “holy” forthteller touches (magnetizes) the ORATOR, who, like the modern day actor, public or motivational speaker, or singer, or solo instrumentalist, or entire rock band, for that matter, is able to “move” people. These are the people we spend a lot of money to go and see, even when it's overpriced tickets in oversized venues. It has always amazed me that people will fill arenas and stadiums to see their "celebrity", even when they are about the size of fleas from where they are seated in the audience. What a testimony to the power and influence of charisma.
Socrates questions Ion as to where he derives his “power”, this electricity that moves the people to tears when he performs (orates) the Iliad or the Odyssey of Homer. Ion confesses his relative ignorance of the subject matter of history or warfare. Yet he is able to enrapture his audience as if he is living out these experiences at that very moment.
Socrates enlightens Ion with the awareness of this “Hericlaten”, “magnetic” power which empowers him, speaks through him, spreading the “fragrance” (my word) of his theme throughout the room. This is as good an illustration of inspiration as I have ever come across.
When I was 17 (“it was a very good year”. I had to say that for some of you fellow old timers.) my 13 year old cocker spaniel that I had grown up (o.k., I'm serious, again.) with needed to be put to sleep. I went out after dinner, said a quick goodbye, in denial that Taffy probably wasn't going to come home from the vet. Instead, I proceeded to waste a few meaningless, miserable hours standing around outside a local diner, doing nothing, feeling guilty, with an emotionally constipated heart, full of grief and guilt feelings.
I wore my brave face as I returned home, entered the house, tried not to notice the empty bed, still coated in spots with Taffy’s blond dog hairs, soon to be vacuumed away forever. I proceeded downstairs, feeling compelled to sit at the upright piano, and proceeded to “spill out” a pretty sophisticated piece of original music, not rock, not classical, but coming from a place that I could only describe as "Leslie", a "Leslie place'.
No tears, No wailing… nothing on the outside. No. BUT…the music told the truth. Feelings poured out through this things we call "inspiration." It was like some kind of grace, “helping” me to grieve, to mourn Taffy’s loss. I felt a bit redeemed from my guilt.
And finally, there is one more link in Socrates’ "magnetic" chain: The AUDIENCE.
If we who are “experiencing” the “prophet’s” message are sending supportive “vibrations” to our artist, we empower him/her/them at the same moment we are being touched by their performance. Everyone who performs a lot, who has gotten over stage fright and nervousness, testifies to the energy exchange of love and appreciation from the audience which empowers the performer to give a more "powerful" performance. Isn't it interesting that we use that very word?
So…We, the audience, complete Socrates" “magnetized chain” that follows from Prophet (Poet) -> Orator -> Audience. There’s the sequence.
At American Logres Theatre we need you to come to us with DESIRE. We can’t help with that. But if you've got desire, then we CAN encourage you to allow the inspiration to move through you.” If the power of LOGRES meets you, you'll find you have a story to tell. It'll be real. It'll be yours. And we'll all be pretty enthused about it. Here's to Heraclitus!

Tomorrow’s Topic: “OH, I COULD NEVER DO THAT!”