Understanding Mastery

By Mildred Wilson.

This is a very short and concise account, my account, of how to embark on a journey into Mastery. It is my understanding this far and it is short precisely because I am starting my own adventure. The journey is personal. The concept of Mastery is a "simple" one and I do want to write a few words about it that might help somebody find their own path — even if a hint of it.

I always knew my call or vocation, it has just been all over me since I was a child, but I had been "busy" surviving (still are); finding the right environment, making a living, walking a spiritual path, etc., until I realized it is now (or never) that I have to follow that call. And by that I mean: we can spend a life time postponing or simply attending everything else that comes our way—or "that" which we put on our way, and never find the right moment or the right circumstances to attend that call, curiosity or passion. And if we don't have that call, we can spend our time just the same way wondering why aren't we "happy" or what is it that we are here for ("what's my purpose in life?") or very simply: we can spend our life following somebody else's call every day—nothing wrong with that if that's what we decide to do.

But wouldn't it be ideal if we knew or at least had an idea of what we wanted to do with our lives and be able to practice it and perhaps be "good" at it—whatever that activity might be? wouldn't it be good to find out what we can create with our minds—and perhaps put it at the service of others if that's what we chose to do? (Note: a vocation doesn't mean a person is just suited for one particular activity, quite the contrary; a person might have many more abilities to explore, develop or complement his or her path to Mastery).

I start with the premise that all individuals are potencially creative; all individuals are potential artists. You, "non–artist", still have to create your own life everyday, don't you? (you are the architect of your own life, aren't you?).

Well, if you have an idea of what your vocation or passion or curiosity (or purpose) might be, and find your self struggling to get clarity or understanding as how to go about it or breaking through the barriers so you can get onto it, I recommend you read a very small book called "Mastery" by George Burr Leonard (1923 – 2010). Leonard was an American writer, editor, and educator. He was also a former United States Army Air Corps pilot, and held a fifth degree black belt in Aikido. (Note: there are more related books on the subject but for now I can comment on this one; the author's record and mastery path speak a million words).

This book will clear up the concept of "Mastery" and will put it on real terms of every day life.

"What is Mastery? It resists definition yet can be instantly recognized. It comes in many varieties, yet follows certain unchanging laws. It brings rich rewards, yet is not really a goal or a destination but rather a process, a journey. We call this journey mastery, and tend to assume that it requires a special ticket available only to those born with exceptional abilities. But mastery isn't reserved for the supertalented or even for those who are fortunate enough to have gotten an early start. It's available to anyone who is willing to get on the path and stay on it—regardless of age, sex, or previous experience.

"The trouble is that we have few, if any, maps to guide us on the journey or even to show us how to find the path. The modern world, in fact, can be viewed as a prodigious conspiracy against mastery. We're continually bombarded with promises of immediate gratification, instant success, and fast, temporary relief, all of which lead in exactly the wrong direction. Later, we'll take a look at the quick-fix, antimastery mentality that pervades our society, and see how it not only prevents us from developing our potential skills but threatens our health, education, career, relationships, and perhaps even our national economic viability. But first let's examine mastery itself." — George Leonard, Mastery, Page 5.

A Mastery Path (Part 1).

A Mastery Path (Part 2).

A Mastery Path (Part 3).

On a side note:

If you are at this moment in life wondering what your call is or what makes you "tick", then I recommend you take a look at a book called "Mastery" by Robert Greene, this is an eye opener. Below is an interview (of many on the internet) with Author Robert Greene speaking about mastery. Alternatively, take a look at a book called "So Good They Can't Ignore You" by Cal Newport which has some useful insight as well.

Update 9/04/2017: I have posted a different interview as the original one was removed from YouTube.

Book Review:

To close this blog, artist Jeff Watts, founder of Watts Atelier of the Arts, produced a series of 12 videos reviewing the book "Mastery" by George Leonard. His wonderful reviews on Leonard's book are focused on the arts, for those on the path to master the arts — "The Road to Mastery in The Arts", you could call it.

The reason why this caught my attention is because this is actual food for the soul and the adventure I am on, and coming from a 30 years experienced artist and arts teacher, it is a MUST. When I watched the first two videos I felt compelled to read Leonard's book and so I did; I devoured it in Starbucks with my English Breakfast tea every morning — after a long-early bike ride and before work, it was a total pleasure whilst spending winter in the tropics. This book gives you the essentials needed to keep moving on the path. Enjoy!