Does it seem strange that Thomas reached a pinnacle in his creative life not by trying, but by letting go? Have you ever experienced this type of breakthrough?

"When he came to the last phrase and the final, tonic D-flat chord, home again, it sounded the deep bump of their lighter against the wharf, the magic moment they disembarked, he and Lin, the beginning and the end. He let the note hang and then rested his hands in his lap until the drumming of rain once again filled the room, nothing else. He had played as well as ever before" (145). Thomas has just moved to a higher level in his creative life. Does it seem strange that he reached this pinnacle not by trying, but by letting go? Have you ever experienced this type of breakthrough?

Thomas embraced being in the moment, the here and now. Yes, I have experienced this and been conscious of it when on occasion. One very mundane moment was decades ago when I was a member of a four woman after work bowling team. Recruited to have the minimum number for league play, I was not a bowler but we had dinner together each week for the duration, enjoyed one or two drinks, shared some deep conversation and much laughter. My average was barely 105 with frequent gutter balls. One magical night, I was "on" and bowled a score of 202. At season end with my low handicap averaged in, the score was an adjusted 267 and I received a trophy for highest individual score. Our team came in third and we shared small winnings. It had been an unlikely Zen moment never to occur again.

Once you let go you become free, uninhibited, you stop overthinking. Once Thomas relaxed he allowed himself creative freedom and absorption. I have experienced this type of breakthrough. Very liberating and powerful. Open your mind, set aside your fear and you'll be surprised what you learn, the impossible becomes possible, self imposed limits, become unlimited, can't translates to can.

He reached his creative era by letting himself, feel the joy in his music. I think this is often true, when we try by rote learning by thinking, rather than letting our soul join the activity. At golf, I find the harder I try to Win
The worse I play. Letting go, and enjoying an activity, helps us achieve our goals

Aliceq105

Yes, it took a long time for me to get it and to not hold on too tight. I am not sure if this can be learned early. It seems to come with experience.