Category: ZEN

Porch cave meditation

the beautiful way:
weather and time returning
the cedar to earth

(click photograph for larger view)

A seed in the earth grows into a cedar tree which men harvest and fabricate into lumber. I fashion the boards into my porch; which serves me for 25 years; only to be reclaimed by the atmosphere; due, in part, to my own design flaws. Though the process will reclaim all no matter how perfect the design.

Leica R8/DMR, 135 mm Zeiss S-Planar T•, on Cambo Ultima, using tilt

Milwaukee river meditations

“In good writing, words become one with things.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson

perhaps also in good photography
the image becomes one
with the subject
as well as
the moment

for the moment I think so

(click images for larger view)

Leica R8/DMR, 350 mm Telyt

aware, motivated, yearning, reaching

“Whether working with a human figure or a still life, I am deeply aware of my spiritual connection with it. In my life, as in my work, I am motivated by a great yearning for balance and harmony beyond the realm of human experience, reaching for the essence of oneness with the Universe.” – Ruth Bernhard

within the process
changing before our eyes, see
us in this mirror

(click image for larger view)

Leica M8, Visoflex III, 135 Elmar

“The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind”

returning (always) to the study of wabi sabi
wherein
the student perceives beauty
in the
ephemeral, transient, isolated, simple, subdued tranquil, natural, intimate, eternal, melancholic, asymmetrical, earthy, organic, rough, uneven, asperities, spacious, humble, sober, intangible yearning, impermanent, passage of time…

(click image for larger view)

Leica R8/DMR, 60 mm Macro Elmarit

Wishing wells and mandalas

listen to warm
thaw watching egos dissolving
into a sea of compassion

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(click on images for larger view) 

Giving and receiving = utopia

The 365 Tao, 103, on Reciprocity (paraphrased):

  • Hands grasp, but also give; and can teach us generosity.
  • Mouths taste, but also speak; and can teach us to give thanks in word and song.
  • Noses breathe, but also smell; and can teach us to learn from our environment.
  • Eyes see, but also show; and can teach us to show compassion and sincerity.
  • Ears hear, but also balance; and can teach us to remain balanced.

The eyes –some say virtual windows to the soul– of a dedicated person show an inner fortitude and charisma that the eyes of the ordinary do not. Each one of our senses gathers information and also serves as a channel of expression. All parts of ourselves give and receive; functioning on the principle of reciprocity inherent in their very character. Perhaps we can learn from our senses.

Google “tis better to give than to receive” and you’ll find that scientific research backs up the line attributed to Jesus in the book of Acts. However, living the suggestion in a consumer-society requires discipline and faith. As a closet utopian I love to entertain the notion of a society where we all simply do what we love; give away the fruits of our labor, spontaneously, from our hearts; without thought or expectation of return or payment; with the faith that our needs (or even wants) will somehow be met. Yet in my life as a micro business entrepreneur I must constantly put a price on my services. While I do practice heartfelt giving in my art and other areas of my life; I’v previously found it difficult to practice in my business. Some suggest that the “give-away” in business will also find its reciprocal balance.

Yesterday I gave a professional friend some professional service, straight from the heart, without expectations of any kind. Today the gift was reciprocated. Maybe Jesus knew what he was talking about.

Let’s all give work towards utopia without expecting to achieve it. To get started watch this video (be sure to click “watch in high quality” to the lower right, under the video controls).