The Urgency of Completion: Embracing Our Creative Callings

In her poignant declaration, "Be done. Be done. Be done. The work calls for completion," Elizabeth Gilbert emphasizes the necessity of bringing our creative endeavors to fruition. This insistence on completion resonates deeply within the human experience, highlighting the tension between inspiration and the often daunting task of finishing what we start. In a world filled with distractions and endless possibilities, the call to complete our work becomes not just a personal challenge but a spiritual imperative.

Gilbert's words serve as a reminder that creativity is not merely a whimsical pursuit but a calling that demands our attention and commitment. The repetition of "be done" underscores the urgency of this task, suggesting that the act of completion is not just about finishing a project but about honoring the creative spirit that animates our lives. This call to completion invites us to reflect on what it means to fulfill our potential and to engage fully with the gifts we have been given.

The image / the metaphor

The imagery in Gilbert's quote is striking in its simplicity yet profound in its implications. The phrase "be done" evokes a sense of finality, a call to action that resonates with anyone who has ever grappled with the inertia of unfinished work. The repetition of the phrase creates a rhythmic insistence, almost like a mantra, urging us to push through the resistance that often accompanies the creative process. It conjures the image of a sculptor chiseling away at a block of marble, each strike bringing the form closer to completion.

Diving deeper into the metaphor, we can see that "completion" is not merely about the end product but about the journey itself. It speaks to the transformative power of bringing something into existence, of nurturing an idea from its inception to its realization. This process can be fraught with challenges, yet it is within these challenges that we often find our greatest growth. The act of completing our work becomes a sacred ritual, a way of honoring the creative forces that flow through us and the world around us.

In the speaker's tradition

Elizabeth Gilbert's perspective on completion aligns with the perennial philosophy, which emphasizes the interconnectedness of all things and the importance of fulfilling one's dharma, or life purpose. In many spiritual traditions, the act of creation is seen as a divine expression, a way of participating in the greater tapestry of existence. The concept of kenosis, or self-emptying, resonates here, suggesting that in the act of completing our work, we are also surrendering to a higher calling, allowing our creativity to flow through us rather than being a mere product of our ego.

This idea is echoed in various spiritual texts, such as the Bhagavad Gita, where the importance of action and duty is highlighted. In Chapter 3, Krishna advises Arjuna to perform his duty without attachment to the results, emphasizing that the act of completion is itself a form of devotion. This perspective invites us to see our creative endeavors not just as personal achievements but as contributions to the collective human experience, reinforcing the idea that our work is a calling that transcends the individual.

Living the teaching

Consider a modern scenario where this teaching finds resonance: a writer who has begun a novel but finds herself paralyzed by self-doubt and the fear of imperfection. Gilbert's insistence on completion serves as a gentle nudge, encouraging her to set aside her fears and simply finish the draft. In this context, the act of completion becomes a liberating force, allowing her to reclaim her creative voice and embrace the messy, imperfect nature of the writing process. It is through this act of finishing that she can truly engage with her story and share it with the world.