“Look what you have done,” The Pig said to the Monkey, “invited an uncombed and unwashed Kwan Yin.” They looked on as Kwan Yin approached, disheveled and barefooted, her robe haphazardly folded together. from Journey to the West
I read this classical Chinese novel as a child and this is one of the passages that has remained with me. Kwan Yin, the revered Goddess of Mercy appeared like an ordinary person hurrying to solve a crisis after being woken from sleep. She was sensual, soft with her hair down and her face freed of make-up. This moment was observed by the Pig and with that, animal, human and goddess all came down to the same level.
A friend and I talked about subtlety in writing, how it gives room to the readers to imagine for themselves. It is what I imagine that I remember.
“It is what I imagine that I remember.” That’s such an important observation! I think the imagination is greatly undervalued in this culture (because we so greatly value science and its presumed knowledge?). But Einstein (the world’s pre-eminent scientist?) said that imagination is more important than knowledge (adding: because there’s so much more of it). But whatever the reason, imagination is very important — and maybe learning and remembering depend upon it.
Also, I remember a poet saying that the first victim of war is the imagination. I think it may have been Sharon Olds at a reading years ago.
Hello, I found your blog when I searched for images of Kwan Yin. Can you tell me who painted the one you have used or what year it is from? I’m interested in using it as well. Thanks so much! ~Elizabeth
Hello Elizabeth,
I downloaded the image from the internet. It did not have information on the artist or time period. Sorry I can’t help you there.
Clara