Thinking like Leonardo da Vinci

Any reference to architecture, art, science & technology has to include the genius Renaissance polymath Leonardo.

There has been many studies of da Vinci's mind and extensive commentaries on the results of his creativity in painting, in drawings and of course his written codexes (notebooks)

One of the books i have enjoyed the most is by Michael J. Gelb called How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci. see his webpage in links.After immersing himself in a study of da Vinci he concluded that there were 7 key characteristics of da Vinci creativity, 7 principles he adhered to that produced his extraordinary innovations and insights.

He sets them out in Italian, as a training program that we can practice to improve our own creativity. Based on the idea that if you want to get better at anything, study some one who is great at it, imitate the master until you can discover your own inner mastery.Ok here is the 7 ways that da Vinci achieved his full potential as a creative human being.   

1. CURIOSITA 

explore - question - be in a state of wonderment - love to learn - don't take no or yes for an answer

2. DIMOSTAZIONE

test everything yourself - experiment - learn from your own mistakes 

3. SENSAZIONE

refine your senses - see when you look - listen when you hear - feel when you touch - ect - be fully present - be aware - be awake to what is going on around you

4. SFUMATO

embrace paradox & contradiction - accept uncertainty - allow grey areas to resolve - there is also a reference here as sfumato means 'to go up in smoke' to integrating ones shadow, Leonardo drew shadows like no one else could

5. ARTE/SCIENZA

integrate left & right brain thinking - a holistic approach -learn the art of science & the science of art

6.CORPORALITA

balance the body - learn poise - co ordination - grace in movement - learn kinesthetic skills - ambidexterity 

7. CONNESSIONE

apply systems thinking - see that all is interconnected - be integral in analysis & synthesis

This is a pretty good list of personal development skills & abilities to focus on and what's more i think it promotes an enlightened view of the world.

Considering Leonardo came on the scene 500 years ago and emerged at a time when Europe was still steeped in a medieval view of the world, he was a true radical. No one's master he basically did what he did to satisfy his own curiosity, accepting weapons development commissions from the local DOD Dept of Defence to finance his exploration of the natural world. I imagine the clergy even left him alone in awe of his genius. Thank goodness he didn't get the same fate of G. Bruno,as i am sure he could have gotten fried for any number of experiments that he conducted probably in secret.

Anyway i think Gelb's book is worth reading if not to improve your own creativity then to give you a glimpse of what human potential can be.