Questions & Answers Part 1

Question: How is art supposed to be manifested in the world?

Sri Chinmoy: Art is supposed to be manifested in the world in the same way that we try to manifest our good qualities: joy, peace, love, bliss and so on. Anything good that we have or that we are, anything that is good in our nature should be manifested. Art is also an excellent thing which must be manifested.

Question: Does art reach the heart or the mind?

Sri Chinmoy: It depends on the person. If the person is a seeker, then art reaches the heart. If the person is not a seeker, usually it reaches the mind. But again, if somebody is an integral seeker, then both his mind and his heart will be touched by art.

Question: Is it easier to reach a child through art or through music?

Sri Chinmoy: lt entirely depends on the receptivity of the particular child. Some children are more drawn to music, while others ore more drawn to art. There cannot be any categorical rule. But you have to know that music is also a form of art, and art is a kind of Inner music. So if a child is interested in music, eventually he can develop considerable interest in art as well. Again, if somebody in the beginning of his life is deeply inter-ested in art, he can easily develop on interest in music. Music and art are very close to each other, and they can easily move together.

Question: In the spiritual life, is there a difference between art and music?

Sri Chinmoy: In the spiritual life, there is no basic difference between music and art because a seeker-artist is definitely a divine musician. Again, a divine musician cannot be anything else other than a seeker-artist.

Question: Is art manifested in the inner world?

Sri Chinmoy: In the outer world we manifest, in the inner world we achieve. In the inner world we don't try to manifest anything. In the inner world, only we try to achieve. Only in the outer world do we try to manifest. Manifestation is on the outer plane, realization is on the inner plane. We try to realize the ultimate Truth inside us and then we try to manifest that ultimate Truth here in the outer world.

Question: In terms of the spiritual life what would art be?

Sri Chinmoy: In terms of the spiritual life art is definitely a most powerful manifestation of God. Or we can say that it is most a powerful God instrument for giving joy to mankind and helping mankind to lead a better and higher life.

Question: Is it necessary for every seeker to manifest some kind of art?

Sri Chinmoy: Certainly every seeker should try to manifest some kind of art. But that doesn't mean that you have to draw something on a piece of paper or paint something on a canvas. Now, Art can be in your talk, in your movement, in your prayer, in your meditation. In everything he does, each seeker should have, at every moment, an artistic touch -- while talking, while giving, while moving, while conversing.