In episode #6, Vanilla Weeds explores the broad topic of Beauty.
Beauty has always been important but we seem to lack the ability to differentiate various ideas about beauty. There are different kinds of beauty — There is a deeper aspect of beauty that speaks to the heart —and this is one of the main capacities of the soul — to experience this deeper beauty. Then there is another beauty that is constructed by societies. Socially constructed beauty is both imprinted on our biology and also socially constructed over time.
It is important to discern the different kinds of beauty in order to understand the higher self as well as our relationship to one another. We do a deep dive into the idea of beauty, what are the origins of these ideas around beauty and how are the different aspects of beauty impacting our communication, our understanding of the world, and of ourselves?
As is customary for Vanilla Weeds, we contemplate how systems impacting the global community are affecting and changing us locally as well. We ponder the development of technology and Artificial Intelligence and what - if any - consideration is given to the soul or concepts like compassion and emotional intelligence. What are the ramifications of developing a future without understanding the human relationship to creativity and compassion?
Also with regard to beauty and the soul— the concept of Art and the purpose Art serves for both the individual (inner) and the collective (outer) as a way to recognize an objective truth.
A work of Art can express the soul in humanity for the observer. This is where beauty resides.
We also explore different aspects of beauty as a concept. We asked ‘What is beautiful?’ in the conventional sense. Beauty standards adversely effecting the role of women in society and can be exploited in various ways. Every human being is unique so why do we allow ideas about beauty to be standardized? In this way, understanding ourselves through examining what we find to be beautiful becomes a way forward personally and also creates expansion for society. There is great value in questioning current standards of beauty and elevating the conversation around human values in order to create a way forward through a world that is fraught with challenges and crises.
