Art is a catalyst that stimulates the brain to see new possibilities. Initially, I believed only Introverted Feeling (Fi)* (see footnotes) was related to art since it's connected to personal expression and feelings of goodness and beauty. However, I am beginning to realize that there is a wealth of Fi hidden within the Extroverted Feeling (Fe)* traditions of the world. These traditions represent a stacked knowledge of Fi expression accumulated over thousands of years—a literal treasure trove.
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| Benares - Sayed Haider Raza (1944) |
Unlocking this treasure is challenging since one has to be the skilled enough to utilise traditional instruments and information (Extroverted Thinking aka Te)* while also having respect for the art form and the culture that produced it (Fe)*
When you reach a point of flow, your Fi connects with the Fi of people from the past, captured within these art forms. In that moment, you feel part of something much greater than yourself.
I feel people should try to follow culture in a more authentic manner as opposed to being superficial. When people go behind a social media trend or blindly follow cultural rituals without understanding the essence behind it, they are participating in culture superficially. This would only contribute to increasing feelings of difference and fuel competition against people following different cultures.
However anybody who take part in culture authentically , i.e with heart, should feel more connected with the rest of humanity because they are able to connect with this amazing hidden treasure trove of thousands of years of human expression and feelings whose echoes lay dormant in each and every human.
Linking a recent video I saw which inspired me to write this post
Footnotes:
Introverted Feeling (Fi), Extroverted Feeling (Fe), Extroverted Thinking (Te), etc., are judging cognitive functions—tools humans use to make judgements at all points in their life. These were hypothesized by psychologist Carl Jung and popularized with the rise of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) system.
*Introverted Feeling (Fi): A function focused on internal values and personal beliefs, driving an individual's sense of authenticity and personal expression. It often relates to art as a means for individuals to express their unique inner world and emotion
*Extroverted Feeling (Fe): A function concerned with external harmony and social norms, emphasizing empathy, relationships, and the needs of others. It relates to culture by fostering a sense of community and shared values, helping individuals connect with and respect cultural traditions. Ex : Respecting and participating in cultural traditions not only foster a sense of community but also help in preserving ancient artforms and culture.
*Extroverted Thinking (Te): A function oriented towards external efficiency and logical organization, prioritizing productivity, structure, and objective decision-making. It relates to knowledge by seeking to understand, organize, and apply information in a practical and systematic way Ex : learning an instrument or music theory
