Rainn Wilson’s (Dwight Schrute’s?) book…
Rainn Wilson, who plays Dwight Scrute in The Office, happens to be a very creative individual. The book is centered around life’s big questions. Check out the promotional trailer
In an interview, he goes on to explain his philosophy behind the book and for life in general, in which I completely relate to in most every way.
“We, as human beings, long to transcend. We want more than just the material. Even the adamant god deniers like Bill Maher are still reaching for something, still doing more than just eating, and shiting, and fucking, and sleeping, and accruing wealth. They want more than that. They’re wanting to connect, they’re wanting to create art, they’re wanting to make the world a better place, they’re wanting to increase discussion. But soul-full-ness, I think, is human beings wanting to transcend the ordinary. That can be through making music and making art. That can be through exploring the limits of science, technology, mathematics, and striving to go beyond the material world. that can go through an expression of prayer, or devotion. This is an expression of the soul. I think we all have an energy in us, and about us, that wants to do more than a just be a monkey. When exercised I believe it can grow and flourish and be more radiant. Thats what life is all about. I dont think you need religion necessarily to do it. I think one just needs to engage.in this moment right now. It’s about the striving. and the striving creates soul.”
I’ve always felt this way, with a lack of words to fully describe what I mean. I think that through your work, whatever it is that you feel inspired and in the spell like state of wonder and awe, you can grow as a person and be more in touch with what it means to be human. For me, I see the problem as so many people just lack that initial response to do anything besides splash in the puddle that is their lives.
Answer Excerpts From Questions From The Audience
Rain goes on to answer a few questions in which I paraphrase and horribly conjoin below.
There are things about religion that are beautiful, true, and lasting just like there are things about art and science that are beautiful, true, and lasting. I don’t believe science provides the concrete answers in the same way that religion doesn’t provide the concrete answers. A light studying genius can’t fully explain what light is. its a beam. It’s a wave. It’s a particle. It’s the easiest solution for people to be cynical about science or religion in defense of either. It’s easy to know it all, be over it, be withdrawn from it, to know better than others, to be pissy and sarcastic. It’s actually really hard to be present, engaged, and open hearted which makes a difference.
Thats the magic of being creative, making art, or having that soul-full-ness. that ineffable thing that happens. The mysterious. If you’re a musician, you can study why a melody is moving and diagram it and play it, but ultimately there is a point where it transforms and transcends and that is what’s mysterious about the arts.
We are in an age as a society where science is on the forefront and that’s totally fine but lets see how science handles our broken hearts, immense love, or when someone dies. None of these things can contain all the answers to what it means to be human. Eventually, I think science, religion, art, and whatever will maybe not walk hand in hand, but realize they are one in the same thing. It’s that god essence in molecules that seek to transcend.
So the book is my reading material for the weekend. Happy searching!
