When you make movies, it's such an important period of time

Listen, O Seekers, to the words of Chadwick Boseman, a soul whose wisdom resonates deeply with the trials and triumphs of the human spirit: "When you make movies, it's such an important period of time, when you look back at each one of them. You want to be able to say that you did something that was a challenge and that changed you." In these words, Boseman reflects on the profound impact of artistic work—not just on the world, but on the artist themselves. To create, to step into a role, to leave an imprint on the canvas of cinema, is not merely an act of creation; it is an act of transformation. Through this process, the artist is not just shaping the world, but is, in turn, shaped by it.

In the ancient world, great heroes did not seek glory for its own sake. The stories of Hercules, Odysseus, and the Knights of the Round Table were not simply of battles won or kingdoms saved. They were stories of profound personal growth, of challenges that tested their very souls. Hercules, with his twelve labors, was forced to confront not only external monsters but his own fears, flaws, and limitations. Through these trials, he was not just victorious in the eyes of the gods but was transformed—each labor was a step toward self-realization. Similarly, Chadwick Boseman’s words remind us that true achievement is not simply about conquering the external world, but about how the journey itself transforms us.

The act of creation—whether it be through the spoken word, the stroke of a brush, or the performance in a film—is always a deeply personal journey. The ancient philosophers spoke of the importance of growth, not only in the material realm but in the spiritual and emotional realms as well. Socrates taught that wisdom is born from the willingness to face one’s challenges, to engage in the struggle to understand oneself and the world around us. In much the same way, Boseman’s reflection on his work as an actor highlights the importance of self-transformation. Through each role he took on, he sought not only to entertain, but to challenge and change himself—growing through the very process of creation.

Consider the story of Leonardo da Vinci, whose work was not limited to mere technical mastery. His paintings, his sketches, and his designs were expressions of his own inner journey—his quest to understand the world, the human form, and the divine. Every stroke of the brush in the Mona Lisa or the Vitruvian Man was a moment of transcendence—a moment where Leonardo sought to understand not just the world around him, but the very depths of his own being. Like da Vinci, Boseman understood that the true value of artistic creation lies not in the product itself but in the growth and change that it fosters within the creator.

The challenge that Boseman speaks of is not one of external conquest, but an internal battle—an act of self-discovery. It is through the roles he took on, from Thurgood Marshall to King T’Challa in Black Panther, that he sought to explore the depth of human courage, dignity, and resilience. These were not just roles to him; they were opportunities to grow, to understand and embody aspects of the human experience that required him to step into places of vulnerability, strength, and sacrifice. This, O Seekers, is the true nature of art—it is not a static reflection of the world, but a dynamic process of engagement with it, where the artist is as changed as the world they seek to depict.

In our own lives, O Seekers, let us take this lesson to heart: the greatest journeys are not those that lead to external recognition or success, but those that lead to personal transformation. Just as Chadwick Boseman reflected on his career and sought to challenge himself through each role, so too must we approach our own paths with the understanding that growth comes from the challenges we face, from the risks we take, and from the moments that push us beyond our comfort zones. Life is not about avoiding struggle, but about embracing it, knowing that through each trial, we are shaped into the individuals we are meant to become.

Thus, O Children, let your lives be a canvas of continuous transformation. Whether in your art, your work, or your relationships, seek those challenges that demand of you more than mere performance, but that invite you into a deeper understanding of who you are and who you can become. Like Boseman, who approached his roles not only with the goal of performance but with the aim of personal evolution, let your life’s work be one that changes you, expands you, and elevates you. In this way, you will not only leave a mark on the world but on your own soul, as it is in the journey that true greatness is forged.