Beauty. I could make a list. I could upload images. I could argue that beauty is in anything (and everything) of significance. I could draw to mind ugliness, and define beauty comparatively. I could find my way to beauty through emotion. I could acknowledge beauty by not seeing beauty. I could research a scientifically clinical definition of beauty, and be satisfied. I could argue that beauty is in anything (and everything) of insignificance. I could seek a spiritual understanding of beauty that transcends my physicality, and be richer for the process, but never be satisfied.

I am sure there are many, many paths to beauty. I am certain that many paths must be traveled conjointly to add depth and meaning. I know that beauty is esoteric, ineffable, and unique to each individual. I also know that, though unique, beauty encompasses such a broad spectrum there is considerable overlap and much agreement.  And, I know that (upper-case) Beauty is unknowable.

Herein lies the beauty of beauty. When I consider other desirable characteristics and positive attributes (such as compassion, health, wisdom, truth, inner peace, reason, hard work, exoteric goodness, spirituality, and happiness) they are all riddled with beauty, but the same cannot be said (to the same degree) for any of these other traits. For example: spirituality for many is so filled with emotion that it may lack reason and include compassion or exoteric goodness only for like-minded thinkers; seeking wisdom and truth may at times suppress inner peace, or, at other (less-frequent) points, elevate it; hard work applied to any of these attributes can be under- or over-appreciated as its interpretation is potentially impacted by random (good or bad) fortune; the same could be said about exoteric goodness; one's health can also be adversely impacted by other seemingly positive or innocuous aspirations; and while happiness can (in theory) be attained by traveling any one or more of these paths, the reality of happiness remains elusive; yet beauty (I believe) can be and is acknowledged to some degree by every individual that has ever breathed on this planet. And, an appreciation of beauty can be shared across many boundaries.

(NOTE: In places both above and below I may use the terms 'characteristics' and 'attributes' interchangeably, but for purposes of this discussion characteristics refer to learned traits or aspirations that one works for, whereas attributes are more frequently naturally come by or caused more directly by an outside influence, though to sustain an attribute one must recognize and then work at their appreciation. It is the necessity of work applicable to both that allows for a give and take.)

Some may question if beauty is an attribute that one should aspire toward, and I would respond that without some natural inclination toward beauty we would be less motivated to nurture, groom, and refine our appreciation of the multi-faceted intrigue of layered beauty; so - "Yes" - we should aspire to create beauty (that does no harm) and appreciate beauty when and where we are able.

Think of beauty...

Now, feel beauty...

Now, immerse yourself in its depths, until - you... must... come... up... for... air...

When I can focus to where I truly feel I am drowning in beauty, in part it brings about a melancholia. A sadness (I believe) because one momentarily recognizes a purity in this contemplative beauty; a flickering realization of an immensity held within a single grain of essentiality. Perhaps the potency of this boundless, diminutive singular is 'the' quintessential quality we see as beauty within all other desirable characteristics and positive attributes. Because of this, beauty is more amenable to being defined by itself. Yes, spirituality is spiritual, and health is healthy, and goodness is good, and peace is peaceful, and reason is rational; but beauty is truly beautiful - and when we say this (moreso than the others) it adds depth and meaning. And though it is true that pursuit and/or an appreciation of many of these attributes can be layered (from where I sit) infinitely, as we add layers to beauty, it, more than any other, creates mystifying harmonies that lead us to a depth and complexity we often do not fully discern until we have come out of its spell; and even then this understanding is tainted by one's humanity.

Perhaps the magic is not in its seeming illusions, but in its powers of intoxication. And since this power of beauty can be found in all that is positive, perhaps that is why we are more open to a communal comprehension, and so easily overwhelmed by a glimpse of its provocative Perfection.

A few months past I referred to beauty (in the post Free-Floating Happiness) as an interpretation of Form, Contrast, and Variation. This is skirting the edges of a clinical definition so, for balance, we should also associate 'desire' with our search for and appreciation of beauty. When we factor in desire, we factor in the unpredictability of our humanity; yet, despite this unpredictability, when it comes to beauty it seems we are agreeably unpredictable. Perhaps this is because we most commonly share an intense desire for Life which inevitably includes its pain and adversity which in turn adds considerable poignancy, heightening the experience of all the desirable characteristics and positive attributes that are riddled with beauty - including beauty.

In recent months I also concluded a post (Living Happiness) with the following:

To live fully, I must live in doubt, seeking reassurance, within my humanity, so I may (on occasion) touch transcendence... ...To live in this manner is terrifyingly beautiful."

And perhaps this more than anything explains the universality of beauty - it is our desire for Life - It is a meeting place - It is powerful - And it is secretive.