Possession Is Real
If you ask most people about ghosts you’ll hear the safe answer “ghosts aren’t real.”
What Scientists, specifically Physicists often mention is that our perception of reality isn’t as true as reality is. To put into layman’s terms, what we think we understand about the way we interact with the world and the way it works are not the same. Only when you look at things on a microscopic level do you begin to understand how things really are.
Take for example a table. When we see a table we see a block of physical matter designed to keep things off the floor. For our application whether we’re entirely accurate in our perspective isn’t too important. The reality is, that table is made up of more atoms than you can imagine. We don’t see atoms, we see a table.
To perceive the world for what it is with all the inner workings and complexities that make up our daily life would overload even the smartest of minds.
We’ve learned to soften our intake of information to ensure we can exist without thinking of every intricate detail, of every action we have taken, are taking, or are going to take. This model works well for day-to-day. The problem arises when we try to think in the abstract.
When talking of ethereal topics like ghosts and possession we immediately dismiss the idea because we know "ghosts aren’t real". Even with the knowledge that our reality is not as we perceive, it’s assumed ghosts are not one of the hidden miracles of the universe.
I will however make an argument for possession.
Possession can be described as “something owned, occupied, or controlled: PROPERTY
3
a
: domination by something (such as an evil spirit, a passion, or an idea)
b
: a psychological state in which an individual's normal personality is replaced by another.”
It was 1969 in an empty field in Bethel, New York. A man with shaggy black hair and an untrimmed beard by the name of Joe Coker was about to get on stage and change music forever.
With a song titled “A little help from my friends” a cover of a famous Beatles song recorded two years prior from the 1967 album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.
Joe would go on stage and with a voice that sounded like he gargled razor blades, he would give the performance of his lifetime. Turning a hippie anthem into a soulful blues rendition that would change the world of music forever.
When Joe first stepped on stage he didn’t have much of a plan. Unlike most musicians at the time, Joe Cocker didn’t play instruments.
When the music started he began to move erratically. He swung his arms and jerked his body like he was overcome by another entity. He was possessed by the music. Enthralled in the art.
In an article from the guardian in 2013 written by Michael Hann, Joe was asked: “Where did your unique dancing style come from?
Joe replied: “You mean my arm movements? I actually saw myself with Eric Clapton – you know you see all your old stuff on YouTube now – and I was horrified at myself, with my arms just flailing around. I guess that came with my frustration at never having played piano or guitar. If you see me nowadays I'm not quite so animated, but it's just a way of trying to get feeling out – I get excited and it all comes through my body.”
The part I found most fascinating was “I get excited and it all comes through my body.”
This is possession. Possession of the art.
When an artist is in the “zone” the “flow state” as Author Stephen Pressfield describes, the person is no longer present and instead a force referred to as the “muse” has taken over.
The muse taken from Greek mythology was said to be daughters of Zeus who would possess a mortal and overtake them with creativity.
The muse is what we feel when we’re on autopilot and crafting our best work.
Artists describe this feeling as the reason for their biggest hits.
This feeling is not limited to art alone. Athletes and CEOs claim their best work is done under the guidance of the muse. Anyone is capable of being possessed by the muse but to do so one must submit to its demands. The muse doesn’t ask for much but of what they ask for there is no negotiation.
If you wish to summon the muse you must adhere to these rules.
1. you must show up every day without exception.
2. You must dedicate serious effort to the craft.
3. You must be obsessed.
These three themes are the common thread throughout all of history. The people that are the best at what they do are unrelenting in their ability to show up even when they don’t feel like it.
Anyone is capable of greatness but few have the patience.
One day you may feel possessed by the muse, if you’re so fortunate I hope you will not squander it as many have now lost forever to time.