Saul Williams and Ken Wilber — Art as a Contemplation of Being

Art as contemplation. Poetry as incantation. Relationship as enlightenment.

Such are the words and experiences of Saul Williams. Though digitized, synthesized, and edited into bit-sized segments, the man and the trans-man-transmission are as clear as ever. Here you will find a stream of consciousness shared between two conscious brothers exchanging soul-symbols over copper wires, molding verbal form to the demands of that which cannot be expressed, and yet must be. As Saul says in “Untimely Meditations” (Amethyst Rock Star, 2001):

"Mere language is profanity, I’d rather hum, or have my soul tattooed to my tongue, and let the scriptures be sung in gibberish, as words be simple fish in my soul aquarium."- Saul Williams, Amethyst Rock Star

And yet, the dialogue continues. Thomas Edison: “Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration.” In the world that we live in, it is the individual’s job to translate that sliver of inspiration into a creative act that lives up to the original brilliance of that divine spark. Saul: “Where I am now is at the point of realizing that I have to harness this sense of discipline, that it is my duty, my dharma, so to speak, to write all these things that come to mind.”

Complementary to that conversation is one concerning the value of being in intimate relationship. Often, intimate partners are much quicker to spot the ways we are lying to ourselves than we are. They can help us serve that one percent of inspiration, because they can keep us honest. Saul goes on to share the rather extraordinary circumstances surrounding how he and his then-girlfriend Varshini came to be together. The lesson learned: Be careful what you write poetry about, you might just get it…!

When Ken and Saul first met, they talked nonstop for four hours, only interrupted because Saul had a gig. All Ken said about that meeting was, “That might be the most beautiful human being I’ve ever met.” Please join us in sitting with this extraordinary soul…

Originally published on 12/1/2003