There’s a quote that lingers in the minds of many who seek depth in human connection: “People can only meet you as deeply as they have met themselves.” It speaks to the limits of understanding, the way self-awareness—or lack thereof—acts as a boundary in relationships. But this idea extends beyond personal connections; it applies just as profoundly to the way we engage with creative work. Literature, music, and all forms of artistic expression are not merely experienced at face value—they are understood, felt, and interpreted through the lens of the observer’s own depth.
The Depth of the Artist vs. The Depth of the Audience
At its core, art is an extension of the self. The best works of literature, music, and film stem from creators who have plunged into their own depths—grappling with their emotions, dissecting their truths, and translating those findings into their craft. But while an artist can infuse a piece with layers of meaning, the audience will only ever extract as much as they are capable of comprehending.
This is why the same book can resonate deeply with one person while another skims the surface, finding it unremarkable. It’s why one listener may be moved to tears by a song while another simply enjoys the melody. The work itself remains the same; what changes is the level of introspection the observer brings to it.
Music: Lyrics as a Reflection of Self
Music is another form of storytelling, and much like literature, the depth to which a person experiences it depends on where they are emotionally. Consider a song like Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah. To some, it’s simply a melancholic yet beautiful melody. To others, it is an aching, layered exploration of love, loss, and surrender. The listener’s interpretation is shaped by their own emotional depth—their own history with heartbreak, faith, or longing.
Even mainstream pop music operates under this principle. A song about longing might feel generic to one listener but strike a nerve in another who is experiencing that very emotion. It’s why some people revisit old songs and suddenly hear them differently—because they themselves have changed.
In the end, the depth of our experiences—whether in relationships or in the arts—is a reflection of our own self-awareness. Just as we can only connect with others as deeply as we’ve connected with ourselves, we can only engage with creative work to the extent that we have explored our own emotions and perspectives. Art is static, yet our interpretations evolve, revealing new meanings as we grow. This is the beauty of human perception: the same piece of music, literature, or film can remain unchanged, yet feel entirely different depending on where we stand in our personal journey.
Additionally, viewing art in its various forms as intersubjective dialogue, it’s a special phenomenon to see what we begin to say to ourselves, what we imagine the artist is saying to her, him, themself, and what artist and receiver are saying to one another. You are bringing to light one of the creative miracles of the human experience Moriah.
I agree with this 100%! This is exactly why we say life is about the journey, not the destination. The messages artists embed in their pieces…whether physical or spiritual, through strokes or melodies…are all curated in the act of creation itself. As we age & choose different paths on our journey, it either becomes easier or harder to define the layers of both their perception and our own understanding of life. Amazing piece, Moriah!