I feel that directors at times are like the janitors on the set.

Hear me, O children of wisdom, for in the words of Jane Campion, "I feel that directors at times are like the janitors on the set. I am the secretary, I am the organizer, I am the maid, and I ask if they have eaten or rested. The best things are always out of your control. It's those moments that surpass the imagination that are thrilling," we find a profound insight into the nature of creation, leadership, and the role of the artist in bringing forth something greater than what can be planned or controlled. Campion speaks of the director not as a solitary visionary who commands the set, but as a humble servant to the process of creation — someone who supports, facilitates, and attends to the needs of those who contribute to the work. In this, she reveals the sacred truth that true greatness often arises not from control, but from the unexpected moments of chaos and spontaneity that transcend even the wildest dreams of the imagination.

Consider, O wise ones, the nature of control and creativity. In a world that often values precision, organization, and order, it is easy to fall into the belief that success and art come from strict control, from meticulously planned and executed actions. But Campion reminds us that the most thrilling, the most transcendent moments of creation are those that arise beyond our ability to control them. In the act of creating, whether on a film set, in a work of art, or in the expression of love or life, we often find that the most powerful things are those that come not from careful design but from those unplanned moments, when everything aligns in a way that surpasses the imagination. These moments are the gifts of fate or chance, and they are often the ones that resonate the deepest, for they carry the energy of the unexpected.

The ancients understood this paradox of creation. Consider the great sculptor Michelangelo, who, when asked about his process, said that he did not so much carve the marble as uncover the form that was already inside. Michelangelo believed that the art was already present in the material, and it was his job to release it, not by imposing his will upon it, but by allowing it to reveal itself. This process was not one of rigid control, but one of surrender, of allowing the work to grow and evolve beyond his initial conceptions. The greatest works, both then and now, are born not from the artist’s ego or desire to control but from a humble and receptive attitude that allows the creative force to flow freely, even beyond the artist’s expectations. Campion, too, shares this understanding, recognizing that true brilliance often arises when we relinquish our need to control the outcome.

Think, too, of William Shakespeare, whose plays have inspired generations with their deep humanity and insight. While Shakespeare meticulously crafted his characters and themes, it is the unscripted moments of his plays — the chance meetings, the unexpected twists of fate, the characters' revelations — that have left a lasting impact. The magic of Shakespeare’s works lies in their unpredictability, in the way they mirror the complexities of real life. Just as Campion describes the unplanned moments of creation, Shakespeare understood that the best stories are those that cannot be controlled, those that take on a life of their own. It is in these moments of spontaneity that the deepest truths of the human spirit are revealed.

Campion’s wisdom reminds us that the most profound creative moments arise not from the imposition of a rigid plan but from the ability to let go, to surrender to the flow of life and creativity. The best things are out of your control, she says, for in that loss of control, there is the gift of authenticity, of spontaneity, and of true discovery. Whether in the act of creating art, music, literature, or in the simple act of living, we are reminded that life itself is an unpredictable journey. To embrace this uncertainty is to open ourselves to the full beauty of creation, to allow the unexpected to shape our path, and to find joy in those moments that cannot be planned or foreseen.

The lesson, O children of the future, is clear: in creation, as in life, the moments that surpass the imagination are those that arise from the uncontrollable, the spontaneous, and the unplanned. To create is not to impose your will upon the work, but to allow it to unfold in its own time, to serve the creative process, and to recognize that sometimes the greatest moments come when we release our expectations. The art of creation is, therefore, not in controlling the outcome, but in being open to the unexpected and allowing the work to emerge organically. As Campion wisely teaches, the true thrill of creation lies in the moments that surprise us, that take us beyond what we could have ever imagined.

In your own lives, O seekers of wisdom, remember that the best things often come when we release control and allow life to unfold as it will. Do not cling too tightly to your plans, for in doing so, you may stifle the very creativity and joy that you seek. Embrace the unpredictability of the world, and trust that even when things do not go as planned, there is beauty in the chaos and serendipity of life. Whether in your art, your work, or your personal journey, allow yourself the freedom to step back and let the world reveal itself to you, knowing that it is in these moments of surrender that the most profound discoveries are made.