The artless art

The artless art is the art of the soul at peace, like moonlight mirrored in a deep lake. The ultimate aim of the artist is to use his daily activity to become a past master of life, and so lay hold of the art of living. Masters in all branches of art must first be masters of living, for the soul creates everything.

Art is the way to the absolute and to the essence of human life. The aim of art is not the one-sided promotion of spirit, soul and senses, but the opening of all human capacities - thought, feelings, will - to the life rhythm of the world of nature. So will the voiceless voice be heard and the self be brought into harmony with it.

Artistic skill, therefore, does not mean artistic perfection. It remains rather a continuing medium of reflection of some step in psychic development, the perfection of which is not to be found in shape and form, but must radiate from the human soul.

The Tao of Jeet Kune Do - Bruce Lee