Lake Greenwood and Shore
Another beautiful afternoon at the lake, on a brisk cool day….
Our day at the lake was very memorable
“I remember a hundred lovely lakes, and recall the fragrant breath of pine and fir and cedar and poplar trees. The trail has strung upon it, as upon a thread of silk, opalescent dawns and saffron sunsets.” – Hamlin Garland
“Let yourself be open and life will be easier. A spoon of salt in a glass of water makes the water undrinkable. A spoon of salt in a lake is almost unnoticed.” – The Buddha
Weekly Photo Challenge: Peaceful 03 – Slow Creek and Trees
A lovely hike of leisure along a creek in the low-country of South Carolina….
During my 2005 artist in residency with the South Carolina State Parks, I had some time to hike and reflect. An important source of inspiration was the beautiful landscape at Barnwell State Park. Here I discovered a trail that meandered by a slow-moving creek. Trees over-hanging, and the glimpse of sunlight flickering on the water made for an exciting contemplative view.
Finding peace in nature and solitude
Life offers some very rewarding peaceful moments….
Weekly Photo Challenge: Peaceful 02 – Mountain and Sky
Just a glimpse of a peaceful moment … fleeting … mountain and sky….
Through the shadows, mountain and sky
A photograph taken while hiking in the mountains of Tennessee….
Weekly Photo Challenge: Peaceful – Lake and Sky
Moments that give us peaceful reflections are all around us….
Giulas over at the blog The Eternal Solitude of the Restless Mind says this is a wonderful prompt for the beginning of the new year. And I agree wholeheartedly. As we move forward—working hard, playing hard, and living life to the fullest, it is important to slow down and find a peaceful moment. A time out is needed. So a visit to a beautiful lake on a lovely day, can be just the ticket. It will rejuvenate the mind and body.
Hope you enjoy my visit to the lake.
Lake and sky on a beautiful day
It was a cold, brisk day but warm in statue….
Maps and Trails (Turning the Page – A Bend In the Curve Remix)
Crossing the bridge of discovery we find ourselves….
Biking to a new place
Some thoughts on ambition and the nature of Self….
How often in life we complete a task that was beyond the capability of the person we were when we started it. – Robert Brault
Ambition is not what man does… but what man would do. – Robert Browning
It is in our nature to discover things and in our will to reach them. – Walter Smith
We Say Good-Bye To Ourselves
For you and I all that is left….
Looking out to what was
we say good-bye to ourselves
before it is too late
when you ask to know why
before the last door is shut
you smell the rose
you see the forest for the trees
lost at sea
we say good-bye to ourselves
before the next day comes
when you know the answer why
the last door can’t be found
no more pie in the sky
no more man in the moon
is it really too soon
to say good-bye
With Every Breath A New Dream Is Born (Discovery Remix 2012)
We have all the means of vast exploration and creativity inside of us….
The inward view and the outward dream
“You must not for one instant give up the effort to build new lives for yourselves. Creativity means to push open the heavy, groaning doorway to life. This is not an easy struggle. Indeed, it may be the most difficult task in the world, for opening”. – Daisaku Ikeda
Talk Amongst the Trees
To meditate in the shadow of mountain, wind and tree….
We reach the summit and find a conversation amongst the trees
If we could hear the trees converse, what would they say to us?
Weekly Photo Challenge: Between 02
Between two trees of a different kind….
Where nature and industry collide
Nature and Science….
When thinking about this photo challenge I was drawn to a question, what is the in-between space that can sustain our planet? Where does it exist, and can it be found? And what is the cost of our ignorance; of not knowing how to balance that in-between space with the complexity of our lives on planet Earth? Is the knowledge we seek, in our meditation practice, in the great institutions we build, or in our hopes and dreams? Can it be discovered in our mind’s eye, in the things we believe, or in the progress of science?
In this piece I thought about nature and technology, and how these two sources of energy interact within our lives and with the planet. How these two vital forces; the organic intelligence of nature and the welded composite structure of modern progress collide. Trees are torn down and in their place the monuments of steel rise to the heavens. Our ozone dies, we reach the stars; our rivers run black, the cities grow tall.
Nature dies.
The question is where is the balance that sustains?
I wish I knew the answers to these vital questions. Perhaps you and I, your country and mine, can one day without personal or national agenda sit down at the table and discover the answers.
For the sake our planet, it is the only in-between thing we must do….
Weekly Photo Challenge: Between
Sky and Mountain….
The space in-between sky and mountain
there are so many paths
one can take
looking inward
facing outward
where we discover
the places in-between
…the between-space
magically soothing
nurturing
quiet
…sky and mountain
and on the summit
we breathe deep
searching and finding
a place to rest
in a moment
where our thoughts
are carried off
so gently by the wind….
A Granite Wall of Thoughts
Sometimes we want to see things, but the granite wall of thoughts obscure our desires….
It's a granite wall of thoughts with green dreams
Weekly Photo Challenge: Opportunity 03
Over the years, I have been awarded several artist’s fellowships for interdisciplinary pursuits. In 2004, I was awarded my second artist residency. It was with the South Carolina State Parks’ artist residency program. It was an opportunity that I truly looked forward to participating in. I was commissioned to showcase the lovely character of Barnwell State Park, located in the midlands of SC, in exchange for a week’s stay in one of their cabins. Barnwell is a natural resource park, quiet and remote, while featuring a beautiful lake for fishing and canoeing. The solitude of the landscape was fantastic and it provided great inspiration for the project.
In the photo I am standing with one of two images I completed for the project. The finished work is included in the South Carolina State Park Artist Collection.
Barnwell State Park, South Carolina
Weekly Photo Challenge: Sunset 02
A creative moment on a bench during a slow sunset over time. It is a beautiful evening at Lake Greenwood in South Carolina. The shadows are long as the sun sets through the trees.
Sun setting at Lake Greenwood, SC
Weekly Photo Challenge: Sunset
Meditation while witnessing a beautiful sunrise at Kure Beach in North Carolina. (If you don’t have a sunset shot, a sunrise is the next best thing).
Sunrise at Kure Beach, North Carolina
Weekly Photo Challenge: Fall 02
Mountain biking and Fall weather go hand in hand. My Trek taking a break.
Fall weather and my Trek
Weekly Photo Challenge: Fall
The color of Fall is always an intoxicating experience. I love to find new locations where the colors, smells and ambience of Fall enhances the day.
Fall colors in the trees
Until You, I Didn’t Feel Quite Finished
the days fade into each other
waking
drifting
dreaming
sleeping
and…
until you, I didn’t feel quite finished
the nights fade into each other
thoughtless
senseless
emotionless
passionless
and….
until you, I didn’t feel quite finished
love haunts
love beckons
love promises
love fades
and…
until you, I didn’t feel quite finished…
until now….
Until you, I didn't feel quite finished
Weekly Photo Challenge: Textures
While hiking the Grandfather Mountain trail in North Carolina, I became fascinated with the rocks at the very summit. They were breathtaking mainly because of the textures they revealed when observed up close.
Rocks at the summit of Grandfather Mountain
How Can I know If You Believe In Me (a short reprise)
on a sea of glass
a reflection of what you believe
is it me
or my imagination
that is dreaming
believing in
the beautiful times gone by
and forgotten moments
now and forever
— for us
Now and forever believe in me
Weekly Photo Challenge: Path 04 – Caesars Head Waterfall
There was a lot of interest in my Path 02, the Caesars Head trail. And I mentioned that there was a lovely waterfall (the highest and longest in South Carolina) located at the end the 2.2 mile marker. So thought I would add this photograph of the waterfall to give a sense of the beauty that awaits one who hikes the trail to the lookout point. The waterfall is located across from an expansive gorge.
The waterfall across from the lookout point at Caesars Head
Weekly Photo Challenge: Path 02
Sometimes a path is a beautiful day—hiking a trail that leads to a destination of longing and discovery.
Hiking the Caesars Head trail in South Carolina
Weekly Photo Challenge: Path
The word path can be thought of having multiple connotations or definitions such as; a trodden track or way, any road, way or track, the route or course on which something moves, or a course of action or conduct.
The pier path on a lazy afternoon
Post Canvas and Paint 04: Structures, Verse and Abstracts
Sleeping by a distant sunset I touched the forming world.
9.1.2011.2:35.a.m.
Walking by a waking night I saw the dreams of things to come.
8.30.2011.1:45.a.m.
Standing by the quiet lake I thought of nothing else.
9.1.2011.3:50.a.m.
Sitting by my window I heard a purple flower bloom.
8.30.2011.4:17.a.m.
The Silence in Consciousness
Towards the Consciousness within….
Consciousness
Consciousness 02
“We accept that we are, but we are not ready to accept that we are without anything—without
words, mind or body”. … Swami Parmanandji Maharaj
Consciousness 03
Consciousness 04
When attempting to understanding the concept or belief of our existence, we know the states of being awake, dreaming and deep sleep, but we may not be aware that our true Existence is independent of them. This is to say that our concept of existence and our actual Existence are two distinct things. At the base of all three states i.e. awake, dreaming and deep sleep is
the core foundation that alone makes their sense of being “real” possible. That foundation or substratum in which they originate from is Consciousness. At first glance, this may be difficult to understand, but we can transcend the three
states and realize the limited self as pure Consciousness.
Consciousness 05
Consciousness 06
Being without (the three states) means nothing but “I” exists. In truth, Consciousness Exist independently but we are not aware.
There is an interesting dichotomy that is at work here—how to understand that the three states are because of Me, but “I” am not because of the three states. At the core of this realization is the knowledge that my own Existence is free and not dependent on anything. The three states, our very existence, are transitory, only Consciousness is permanent.
Consciousness 07
Consciousness 08
By the very construct (the power to direct consciousness) in which our life is governed—being awake producing action, going from thought to thought, dreaming, and falling into sleep, we live life—we have the sensation of being “alive”. By this very same construct or shall we say capacity, we can return to pure Consciousness.
Consciousness 09
“If you remain continuously conscious, after some time the world will disappear and only pure Consciousness will remain”. … Swami Parmanandji Maharaj
What do you think? Do you question the knowledge of your existence (where does it come from), your purpose in life, what lies beyond what you see and feel? Does the awareness of your Consciousness play a role in knowing who you are and how you live your life? Please share.
n e w d i g i t a l s c a p e s 