Attention Quote by Aaron Copland
“The inspired moment may sometimes be described as a kind of hallucinatory state of mind: one half of the personality emotes and dictates while the other half listens and notates. The half that listens has better look the other way, had better simulate a half attention only, for the half that dictates is easily disgruntled and avenges itself for too close inspection by fading entirely away.”
About This Quote
Source Lecture: Creative Process, 1972
Creative inspiration splits the mind: one part generates ideas, the other observes, requiring balanced attention.
In simple terms: Inspiration divides mind into creator and observer.
Key Takeaway
Balance creation and reflection.
Themes
creativity
mind
balance
Mood
inspired
contemplative
Type
advice
philosophical
When to use this quote
- writing
- painting
- music composition
- problem solving
- leadership
Key Concepts
psychology
artistic process
dualism
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you keep both halves engaged?
- When do you trust intuition over analysis?
A Different Perspective
Over‑analysis can stifle the creative flow.
![“I went to a mosque in Philadelphia with [my wife] in December 24, 1999. And we we went to this mosque in Philly, and I just had such a strong reaction to the prayer. And I was really emotionally - I felt really grounded at that time. And so to be in this prayer and the imam is doing the prayer in…” quote by Mahershala Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d31/mahershala-ali-6687_attention_i-went-to-a-mosque-in-philadelphia-with_3083.jpg)
