"In a way, it’s the poets that have failed us. Because they have not provided a song or sung a vision that we could all move in concert to. So now we are in the absurd position of being able to do anything, and what we are doing is fouling our own nest and pushing ourselves towards planetary toxification and extinction. This is because the poets, the artists, have not articulated a moral vision. The moral vision must come from the unconscious. It doesn’t have to do, I believe, with these post-meaning movements in art; deconstructionism and this sort of thing. Arts task is to save the soul of mankind, and that anything less is a dithering while Rome burns... because if the artists, who are self-selected for being able to journey into the "other", if the artist cannot find the way, then the way cannot be found."
- Terence Mckenna, part of a lecture titled "Opening the Doors of Creativity"
If you understand what Terence is saying here, then you can appreciate why Maynard James Keenan and his projects are important.
I truly believe that he is one of the few who point the way with their medium. Just like the mushroom, if you're brave enough to take his ideas in high doses, you'll experience the effect. Now let me clarify that it does not mean we are free to ingest his essence as we please. It's only his art that we need take from. Leave the artist free to do his work. Isn't it extremely selfish to ask for more?
Now I know that there will be some who will roll their eyes, assuming I'm simply idolizing. But before you do, make sure that you are not judging without valid information. You cannot judge an artist by his fans. Those who follow blindly are not the important thing to focus on here. Instead, turn the spotlight onto what he has to say.
I also know that Maynard does not want to wear a crown for these people, or anyone. This fact alone should lend credence to his credulity. Anyone who claims allegiance without being deeply immersed in the subversive...sacred geometry, archaic science and shamanism, psychedelics, magic, male and female polarity, political hypocrisy, and the like...should not be used as an instrument of measurement.
This, I believe, is the unfortunate predicament these artists have found themselves in. Hell, I'd be bitter and reclusive about it too.
People didn't understand Jesus either. So they fuckin' crucified him.
