philosopher king or queen (cont.)
Have you given yourself a few days to really live with your wonderful new rules? Good. So, how are they working out for you? Have you been enjoying your more responsible, and respectful world that you are slowly building? If you've been a good philosopher king or queen you've probably put a lot of thought into your vision of a better world. And it won't be long before your enthusiasm for your new laws spills over into the rest of the world! I, myself, am inspired by just thinking about all the wisdom that is going to be spread by your philosophy.
part 2
Your new world
Before we go on with the rest of the exercise, make sure that you are truly committed to these rules. Make sure they are the most important ones you can think of. Imagine them on those statues, and make sure that they are amazing enough to carve into stone for all to see. Again, take your time here. (Please don't rush it! Come back to this page later if you need some more time to put the finishing touches on your kingly or queenly proclamations.) And remember to leave out the boring stuff about "thou shalt not kill" and so on that we already all know about. We only want to see the most inspired laws from our philosopher kings and queens!
OK. You're sure you're satisfied now? Excellent!
Well, then, on to the second part of the exercise...
I would like you to take your amazing rules and print or handwrite them out on a beautiful piece of parchment or some other exquisite paper. Frame them if you choose. Put them up above your desk or bed or fireplace. For a more concrete and artistic effect you might consider adding to your paper some small tokens that visually symbolize your rules or your new world. A piece of dandelion fluff, to represent the lightness of the world when we are finally free of the things that weigh us down, perhaps. Or maybe two puzzle pieces to signify the connectedness of the universe. Make your philosopher king or queen's proclamation something sensual and/or tactile, since our minds love to be stimulated by multiple senses. Feel free to make the whole thing a big, three-dimensional art project or installation. Maybe there could be buttons that people could press and have a little robot come out and act out your rules and the kind of world that they would bring about. Or, how about making an illustrated book? If you aren't feeling that artistic yourself, how about commissioning one of your friends to create something for you? (Supporting local artists is a great way to make the world a better place!)
So, are you feeling inspired now? I hope so! I can't wait to see what comes of this! I hope you are really proud of your job as philosopher king or queen!
One last suggestion before I end this exercise... Before you go wild with creativity and/or commission someone else to create this masterpiece, I want you to break all of your rules. Yep, you read that right. I said break them! As absolutely and impressively as you possibly can. I'm completely serious. Break every single one of your rules in some creative and extravagant way, and enjoy it, dammit! I'm giving you an unlimited supply of "Get Out of Jail Free" cards. Use them. Use them passionately. If you can violate all your rules, and you enjoy violating them wholeheartily, you will then have a complete understanding of the way the universe, including yourself, works. Once you have completed this exercise, you are free to think and do whatever you wish with your rules.
Good luck! And enjoy your surprising, and amazing new world.
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