Bears Repeating: June 2008

Thread of Life

Thread of Life

Perception is really a pattern of sensory inputs that repeat over time.

Unique events would be imperceptible to us. We couldn't observe, associate, recall or communicate them. Events must repeat strongly and frequently enough to bear preserving a pattern that is built up into a palpable, enduring sensation.

If a truly singular event occurred, it wouldn’t be meaningful — to us. The mind seeks patterns.

When we perceive something as unique it's actually a variation, or novelty that persists and forms a cohesive pattern — a pattern within a pattern.

The overarching structure is another pattern.

Within structure, content becomes uniquely and endlessly reorganized into dynamic patterns that form meanings.

Meanings are the threads that weave together the fabric of our experience.

And so, I repeat.

Paisley is thought to have been inspired in ancient Persia by the shape of the mango and has been adapted artistically for textile design by many cultures throughout history.