The Art of Remembering Ourselves
In Conversation - A New Series
Hey everyone,
What does it mean to truly know yourself? To uncover the layers of conditioning and rediscover the essence of who you’ve always been? This question has been the foundation of so many philosophical, psychological, and spiritual traditions, and it’s one I’ve been grappling with for years. Today, I want to share an ambitious, deeply personal project that I’ve quietly been mapping out the past two years. At its core, the essence of ‘The Year I Became’ is a 35-year journey exploring the 64 arts and sciences described in the Kama Sutra, while also being inspired by the idea of individuation and self-discovery.
Let’s start with why this resonates so deeply for me.
The Inspiration: Plato, Jung, and the Self
In Plato’s philosophy, he described the concept of anamnesis, or the idea that all knowledge already exists within us, waiting to be remembered. Fast-forward to Carl Jung, and we find a similar thread in his process of individuation:
the lifelong journey of becoming whole by integrating the conscious and unconscious aspects of ourselves.
For Jung, this process isn’t about becoming something “new” it’s about remembering who we’ve always been.
This notion of “remembering” speaks to me on a visceral level. Life often feels like a balancing act between what the world expects of us and who we know we are deep down. My project is a way of carving out the time, space, and intention to reconcile those two realities.
Homeward Bound - A Double-Exposure, 2024
Why the 64 Arts and Sciences?
The Kama Sutra’s 64 arts are not just “skills,” they’re a blueprint for a rich, multifaceted life. They include everything from poetry, painting, and music to gardening, sewing, and storytelling. Some are deeply practical, like cooking and carpentry; others are symbolic and sensory, like perfumery and magic. Together, they offer a framework for exploring the full spectrum of human creativity and potential.
Here’s the plan:
Each year, I’ll focus on two core arts, balancing mastery in one area with broader exploration in the other.
Along the way, I’’ll maintain a minor focus on poetry, using it as a creative outlet and source of supplemental income. Think self-published collections over time.
And, because no journey of self-discovery is complete without stepping outside your comfort zone, I’ll also attempt to learn one new language per year, dedicating 30-45 minutes daily to this practice.
This year I’m currently studying Russian.
The Vision: A Long-Term Journey
This isn’t just about learning skills. It’s about transformation. Each art offers a way to engage with a different archetype within myself—The Creator, The Warrior, The Healer, The Trickster. As I sew my own clothes or explore the rhythms of a new dance, I’m not just learning, I’m uncovering forgotten aspects of who I am.
This journey is also about community. I plan to document the process through newsletters like this one, offering reflections, creative outputs, and glimpses behind the scenes. Whether it’s a poem inspired by gardening or a short film capturing the art of storytelling, everything I create will be shared.
Over the years, I hope to host workshops, self-publish books, and even incorporate self-documentary filmmaking into this project. Imagine a film that spans decades, capturing the growth, the challenges, and the beauty of trying to live fully in alignment with these principles.
A screen shot from the “About” page on my Pen, Paper, & Heart: Legacy newsletter.
What I Hope to Share with You
As readers, you’re part of this journey. My hope is that these newsletters will inspire you to explore your own paths of discovery—whether that’s through creative practices, connecting with nature, or simply reflecting on the stories you tell yourself about who you are.
Each year will bring new focuses, insights, and creations. For instance, this year I’m delving into poetry, sewing, and film analysis—a trio that’s already reshaping how I think about storytelling, craft, and expression. Next year, I’ll likely return to Spanish as my language focus, pairing it with new arts like gardening and storytelling.
Why This Matters
In a world that often feels fragmented, I’m drawn to the idea of cultivating “wholeness” not by rushing to “fix” myself but by slowing down to explore, to remember, and to create. This project is a way to honor that process, to say (as I approach 36 next week):
“What if I gave myself (another) 35 years to explore who I really am?”
If you’re intrigued, I’d love for you to follow along, share your thoughts, or even join me in exploring one of these arts. Along with the mainline topics we’ll be discussing this year—FILMS, sewing, etc.—I’ll periodically share more insights into this “journey of remembering” under the “In Conversation” tab of my newsletter.
Over the next few months, I’ll breakdown exactly what these 64 arts and sciences are, as well as offer some tips, tools, and guidance on how you can chart out your own journey! These essays and guides will likely hit your inbox every two weeks on Fridays. Let’s see where this journey takes us.
Until next time,
E. A. Bland
Stay Poetic!
