4 (MORE) Ways To Think Like da Vinci.

Daniel Cuesta
May 7
4 min read

Updated: May 8

“Learning is the only thing the mind never exhausts, never fears, and never regrets” - Leonardo da Vinci.

Last Week, we discussed the first three of seven principles that Michael Gelb, author, writer, and renowned speaker, has extrapolated from da Vinci’s life to think and thrive like Leonardo himself. A man known for his artistic talent, yet a philosopher and wise soul in many senses beyond the canvas.

Today, we’re breaking down the last four practical principles to implement them into your living and continue building steadily towards balance and brilliance.

To begin emulating his greatness, embrace: <- (Article Can Be Found Here)

Curiosity (Curiosita)
Demonstration (Dimostrazione)
Sensation (Sensazione)

Then, to truly transform your thinking and, therefore, your actions and life, grab hold of:

Embracing Ambiguity (Sfumato)
Art/Science (Arte/Scienza)
Mind-Body Fitness & Holistic Health (Corporalita)
Everything Connects (Connessione)

IV. Embracing Ambiguity (Sfumato): “(literally 'Going up in Smoke')—A willingness to embrace ambiguity, paradox, and uncertainty.”

Da Vinci used this technique in his work to provide the illusion of volume by blending colors or even blurring lines. It added depth to both the painting and the story behind the art. It left more in the shadow and up to interpretation. The Mona Lisa's smile is captivating for a reason. It makes you wonder what secrets she's hiding.

In our own lives, this applies quite easily. None of us knows tomorrow, and there is not always a clear answer, right or wrong. It isn't always black and white, but that's what makes it all so adventurous: embracing the unknown and running into it rather than away from it.

Again, this adds depth to the emotion and plot to the narrative.

V. Art/Science (Arte/Scienza): “The development of the balance between science and art, logic and imagination. 'Whole-brain thinking.'”

This is the art of integration. So much of life is a Yin and Yang-styled equation, with the light and the dark complementing one another and finding in itself a bit of the other.

It's the right and left brain working together. It's order and chaos. It’s harmony and dissonance.

Da Vinci was not only an incredible artist but also a genius scientist! He was not one or the other but both, complementary.

A great way to improve in this area is by seeing the connections between matters and how they relate to facts as well as feelings—a golden ratio.

VI. Mind-Body Fitness & Holistic Health (Corporalita): “The cultivation of grace, ambidexterity, fitness, and poise.”

Again, balance, but this time between the body and the mind. Da Vinci is known for his art and inventions, but he is often not recognized for his love of walking, fencing, and even equestrian-related sports.

Da Vinci was an earnest promoter of avoiding grim moods and keeping your mind cheerful. This takes a mind and body connection like no other. It takes practicing intentional joy so that your body reflects health, and then living a fit lifestyle so that your mind stays joyful.

We so often wonder if the body's health is downstream from the mind or the other way around, without realizing the answer is “Yes”. They are.

We get so caught up debating whether the gym or a book makes us better that we don't realize they work together.

All this with grace and poise. The right energy, in the right places, at the right times.

VII. Everything Connects (Connessione): “A recognition and appreciation for the connectedness of all things and phenomena. Systems thinking."

This is about seeing the big picture, different from deconstruction or seeing more than one side; this is about understanding how the battles play out to win the war.

It leads to the creation of a North Star, which you can point to when storms batter the ships. It’s not losing the forest amidst the trees.

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There is a certain mystery and sense of ambiguity that surrounds a man like da Vinci. Many of us may question how much of what we think or know about him is a myth or over-embellished facts now turned into legends.

Regardless, we do know that da Vinci was a man who lived by the principles outlined above and that by applying them to our own lives, we too can experience a high renaissance (pun intended).

Take from these what you find most applicable. Experiment with them and apply them accordingly. Perhaps not all at once, but this week, take a day to embody Curiosita, and the day after, focus on balancing your imagination with the science surrounding it (Arte/Scienza). Embrace ambiguity (Sfumato), cultivate grace, and appreciate how every action has its opposite reaction(Connessione).