Martha Graham was an American dancer. It is opined that she is to modern dance as Pablo Picasso is to modern painting. However, I know Martha Graham by a quote, which has touched my heart deeply. Here it is:
Agnes de Mille, a close associate and friend of Martha once confesses to her:
"I was bewildered and worried that my entire scale of values was untrustworthy. ... I confessed that I had a burning desire to be excellent, but no faith that I could be."
In reply to that Martha says,
“There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all of time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and it will be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is nor how valuable nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open. You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep yourself open and aware to the urges that motivate you. Keep the channel open. ... No artist is pleased. [There is] no satisfaction whatever at any time. There is only a queer divine dissatisfaction, a blessed unrest that keeps us marching and makes us more alive than the others."
- Martha: The life and works of Martha Graham, by Agnes de Mille (1992)
I happened to attend an inspiring talk by Dr.Gururaj Karajagi( googled one of his talks - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-SBNzO0ueI ) years back. he told a hymn from the veda that i dont recollect, but i clearly remember the meaning that he explained - 'take in all that comes your way from all directions and all sources, contemplate on it and what comes out from you will be an unique expression like nothing else'. Seeing oneself more as a force that catalyzes & transforms information has certainly been helpful in my experience.
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