Finding Balance Between Doing and Being: A Dialogue with Leonardo da Vinci in NYC

An exploration of the balance between doing and being through an imaginary dialog with Leonardo da Vinci in NYC.

Dear Readers of Koffeemocha,

As we enter the month of September, I find myself continuing this fascinating journey of being a trailblazer in New York City. I'm talking about a trailblazer in life, a seeker of balance between being and doing. This month I'm diving deeper into these themes with a new focus on curiosity and discovery. I want my reflections to mean something to you, to me, to anyone out there juggling the many hats of life. 

The being part of life is a natural consequence of being a doer. You have to act first. It's not a philosophical game where we sit around and chant "I am" for hours. No, doing shapes who you are.

Trying to convey that balance of doing and being in my writing is a struggle. But it's a good struggle I'm happy to take on because I see the process itself as part of the doing. It's an inner mountain hike, a climb that challenges me not for survival, but for a deeper understanding of a true trailblazer.

This also helps me to reintroduce myself from a completely new perspective, both in time and space. Sounds great, doesn't it? But here's the kicker: I want to make it fun. Because, let's face it, if we can't laugh at the absurdity of this whole balancing act, what's the point?

I've long been a fan of biographies, and one of the most influential figures in my life was none other than Leonardo da Vinci. On my anniversary in NYC, I started reading his notebooks and folks, I couldn't resist inviting him into my life. 

So what do you do when you're navigating life and you need advice from a Renaissance man? 

You talk to him, of course! And what better partner could there be on this journey than Leonardo himself?

But here's the thing: While Leonardo is all about doing, my message is clear: 

Don't do for the sake of doing. 

What you do (and reach) will shape who you are, (and how tall you are, see my snapshot of his notebooks on page 53). 

The state of being comes whether you're ready or not… 

So buckle up and join me as I dive into this curious, exploratory and sometime humorous dialogue with Leonardo da Vinci, my new imaginary mentor and perhaps the wisest man to ever walk the streets of Florence and now NYC.

The Trailblazer and the Renaissance Man: A Conversation Across Time

Me:  "Leonardo, I have to tell you, moving to New York City and trying to figure out this whole balance between doing and being seems like a lot to ask of myself. I'm trying to focus on curiosity and discovery, but honestly, I'm not sure where the lines blur. Should I be running around and doing more? Or should I just sit back and be?"

Leonardo: (looking up from his sketchbook where he’s probably reinventing a bicycle while I rant) "Ah, balance! It is not something you chase, my friend. It is something you cultivate. You say you struggle between doing and being? But is it not true that you must do in order to understand what it means to be?"

Me: "Exactly! That's what I've been telling my readers. You have to do something to become something, to shape your state of being. I mean, no one ever became a master by sitting on their couch, right?"

Leonardo: (smiling) "Indeed. To do is to create. You cannot sculpt a statue without striking the marble. And yet I would caution you against doing for its own sake. Doing without intention is like painting without vision; you may create, but what will it mean?"

Me: "Ah, so I shouldn't just go around 'doing' random things for the sake of being busy?"

Leonardo: "Exactly. You must approach life with both curiosity and purpose. Draw, yes, but draw with the desire to discover something deeper. When I sketched, I was not just drawing lines, I was discovering the patterns of life itself. This is what you must seek, both in your actions and in your reflections.”

At this point, we're walking through Central Park, the trees rustling overhead, and Leonardo seems at peace in this modern world of skyscrapers and hot dog carts. Meanwhile, I'm noticing something. The way Leonardo talks about his work, how every sketch or invention was a way of uncovering the essence of life, that's exactly what I'm trying to do here in NYC. It's not just about working out at Equinox, or walking the neighborhoods, or writing these reflections. It's about discovering the essence of these actions, the why behind the what.

Equinox, and the Balance of the Mind-Body Connection

Me: "Leonardo, speaking of doing, I've been going to the gym a lot, especially Pilates. It's been great for my body, but I'm wondering, how do you think I can combine this physical discipline with a deeper exploration of myself? You know, like how you use anatomy to fuel your art?"

Leonardo: (eyes lighting up like he’s just seen the first airplane take off) "Ah, the body! It is the vessel through which we experience the world. When I studied anatomy, it was not just to understand the human form, but to understand how the body reveals the soul. Your physical actions, the way you exercise your body, is not separate from your soul's journey. They are intertwined, much like the muscles that move your limbs.”

Me: "Reveals the soul?"

Leonardo: “It is, but it is also much more. Every action you take in the physical world has a corresponding echo within you. Just as a painter must balance color and form, you must balance physical action with inner reflection.”

Curiosity and Discovery: Looking Deeper into Life’s Hidden Patterns

We continue our walk, and I tell Leonardo about my recent explorations of the neighborhood. I'm curious, not just about the architecture or the history, but about the people, their stories, their lives. I want to peel back the layers of the city and discover its essence.

Me: "Leonardo, you've always had a way of seeing patterns in everything, from the swirl of water to the flight of birds. How can I bring that level of curiosity and discovery to my daily life here? I want to see more than just buildings and people, I want to find the essence, the hidden patterns.”

Leonardo: (nodding like a proud mentor who’s finally getting through to his student) "Yes, patterns! Everything in life follows a pattern. The question is, are you looking hard enough to see it? When I studied water, I did not just watch it flow, I observed its movement, its shape, its purpose. You must do the same. As you walk through these streets, do not just look. Observe. Observe the way people move, the way the city breathes. You will discover the rhythm of life.”

Me: "So I should look beyond the surface? There's always something deeper to discover?"

Leonardo: "Exactly. The surface is only the beginning. What lies beneath is the true essence. Think of the city as a living organism, every part connected, every movement intentional. Just as I have seen the human body as a masterpiece of design, you must see the city as a masterpiece of human experience.”

Being and Doing: A Final Lesson from Leonardo

By now we've reached the edge of the park and I'm beginning to put it all together. My journey in NYC is not just about doing things for the sake of doing them, it's about discovering the deeper meaning behind every action, every interaction. 

Me: "Leonardo, I think I'm starting to see what you mean. It's not just about going through the motions, it's about finding the meaning in the doing, right?"

Leonardo: (grinning) "Precisely! Each act of doing is a step toward being. But remember, it is not the quantity of actions that matters, but the quality of the intention behind them. When you act with intention, you shape your state of being. And when you reflect on those actions, you deepen your understanding of yourself.”

Me: "So when I'm working out, walking around the city, or even writing these reflections for Koffeemocha, I should be thinking about how those actions shape who I am?"

Leonardo: (nodding solemnly) "Yes, and here lies the true balance. Doing and being are not separate, they are one. Each informs the other. And just as I sketched not only to draw, but to understand the world, so you must engage in your actions not only to do, but to discover".

As we walk past the towering skyline, I begin to grasp the full weight of his words. The city, the gym, my writing, these are not isolated events, but interconnected moments that shape my journey of becoming. Leonardo's wisdom isn't some abstract concept, it's a reminder that everything I do is part of the larger pursuit of who I am. I feel a sense of clarity as if the streets of New York themselves are echoing Leonardo's words.

The Essence of Being: Wrapping It All Up

At this point, I can't help but chuckle. Here I am, walking the streets of New York with an imaginary Leonardo da Vinci, having an existential conversation about life, balance, and self-discovery. But then again, isn't that the kind of curiosity and exploration that makes life interesting? Isn't that the kind of doing that leads to a deeper being?

Me: "Leonardo, I have to admit this whole trip feels a little surreal. I never thought I'd be walking around town talking about life with you, but it actually makes a lot of sense. I've been chasing this balance, trying to figure out how to align my actions with my sense of self. And now I think I'm starting to get it.”

Leonardo: (smiling with the warmth of a Renaissance sage who’s watched far too many students struggle with the same question) “Ah, my friend, that is the beauty of the journey. You will continue to seek, and as you do, you will continue to discover. Balance is not something you achieve and hold, it is something you continually work toward. Every day, every step, every breath is part of that process.”

Me: "So you're saying I'm never really done?"

Leonardo: “Exactly. But that is the joy of it! The curiosity, the doing, the being, it never ends. You will continue to explore, to reflect, to grow. And in that endless pursuit, you will find not only balance but fulfillment.”

As we finish our walk, I feel a sense of lightness. This journey, this constant search for balance, it's not something to be feared or dreaded. It's something to embrace, to celebrate. And with Leonardo's guidance (even if only in my imagination), I'm more confident than ever that I'm on the right path.

A Message to My Readers

And so, dear readers of Koffeemocha, I come to you. My journey, as absurd and humorous as it may seem, is one that I believe we all share. We're all trying to figure out how to balance doing and being, how to live with purpose and still find joy in the small moments. And if I've learned anything from my imaginary exchanges with Leonardo, it's this: 

Don't be afraid to dive in, do, explore, and discover. 

But remember, what you do inevitably shapes who you are. So act with intention, act with curiosity, and let your actions guide you to become the best version of yourself.

And if you're lucky, you might even find your own Leonardo da Vinci along the way to guide you through the adventure.

So let's continue this journey together. Keep doing, keep being, and above all, keep discovering. After all, as Leonardo noted,

"The water you touch in a river is the last of that which has passed, and the first of that which is coming. Thus it is with time present.

Life, if well spent, is long.”

Until next time,
Your ever-curious trailblazer, Kefei, at Koffeemocha