For Dying Out Loud

We don't much talk about death. We skirt the issue. Express our condolences. Use stock phrases. This unfamiliarity and avoidance becomes self perpetuating. It doesn't serve us well and it doesn't support those who are living through death.…
,

Festive Greetings

I hope that you are soon going to be taking a break from your busy schedule. You deserve some rest and recuperation. Don't we all? I am going to be taking a two week break from my many projects, at least that's what I'm promising. So, this…
,

Evolution

The feeling of an evolution is a constant for every artist who is pursuing the search of refinement and enlargement of his/her own means of expression. Andrea Bocelli Living a mindful life encourages an attention to the moment, a paying…
, ,

I’m a Square Peg

"Here's to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers, the round pegs in the square holes... the ones who see things differently -- they're not fond of rules... You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them,…
,

Sunset Afterglow

I couldn't let this opportunity pass without sharing a Rise/Set photo I created at a mindful photography workshop a few years ago. I had booked the space, date and time in Llanmadoc on the Gower Peninsula in late September in the hope that…
,

Accepting Difficulty

Some of your greatest challenges will be in accepting situations that are difficult, situations when the world is not how you would like it to be and there's a 'Why Me?' screaming in your head. I thought it might be helpful for you if I shared…

Does growth exist?

Does growth exist? Beyond the physical development of our youth, is ongoing personal development a possibility or is everything we already can be present and we only have to realise its presence? This latter point of view was raised by a…
,

(Not) Serene

I went to the park yesterday with the goal of creating a photo to illustrate the word serene. It did not turn out as I expected. In fact the only photo I liked of the set created (the one in this post) echoed how I was feeling rather than what…
,

My Path

"I see my path, but I don't know where it leads.  Not knowing where I am going is what inspires me to travel it." - Rosalia De Castro I have been a little preoccupied of late. Very busy living life; fulfilling commitments, completing tasks.…
,

Cacophony revisited

In June 2016 I took part in the Edinburgh Photomarathon. It was a tricky competition as we were given disposable film cameras with only 12 exposures possible. If you've taken part in any photomarathon you will know that you get given a number…
, ,

15 tips for your next retreat

I try to schedule 3 retreats a year. These are a time when my intention is to slow down and be present. I sometimes have a goal, often something creative, but the intention is the foundation. There are all types of retreat possible, but at…
, ,

Beginner’s Mind Practice

The phrase 'beginner's mind' is used in meditation and mindfulness as an encouragement to greet the present moment as if it was the first time we had experienced it. Of course it is, but we don't often live as if it is. When we are sat, meditating,…
,

How it is

How is it for you? As a mindfulness practitioner being aware of how I am is a regular practice. Do the questions why and how interest you? Let's investigate them. Why be aware? Mindfulness encourages you to pay attention to each moment as…
,

The River

From the Elders of the Hopi Nation To my fellow swimmers: Here is a river flowing now very fast. It is so great and swift there are those who will be afraid, who will try to hold on to the shore. They are being torn apart and will suffer…
,

Chimping vs curating

Chimping Chimping is the act of immediately looking at your camera screen after you have taken a shot. It's called chimping because of the noise you make when you see a shot you like, "Ooo, ooo, ooo!" This behaviour is a natural consequence…
,

Meditation Tips

I recently picked up a book at our local library called 'Waking Up - Searching for spirituality without religion' by Sam Harris. What follows is a sharing of the author's summary of meditation and some personal reflections. It is not a review…
,

Satisfaction – A Pot of Tea

The simple things in life can bring much pleasure. One of my mine that brings much satisfaction is a pot of leaf tea. Now I have to say, right at the outset, that a pot of tea made with tea bags can be OK, but that is the best it can really…

This much I know

I was tempted to leave this paragraph blank! For whilst it seems that wisdom may be acquired as one lives through life experiences, I often feel that the longer I live the less I know. Perhaps I am confusing knowledge with certainty. Maybe it…
,

Fear

The following post is a personal summary of the wisdom, inspiration and guidance provided by Tara Brach (meditation teacher, psychologist and author) in her two talks called 'Beyond the Fear Body'. Links to both talks are provided below and…
,

The Illusion of the Self

The existence of a thing that we call 'self' has been discussed, investigated and argued about for more than two millennium. Philosophers, Buddhists, Christians, psychologists and biologists all have shared their thoughts and theories. What…
,

12 inches

“The single most important component of a camera is the twelve inches behind it.” – Ansel Adams This is my most often repeated quote. I ask the question, "What is the most important part of the camera?", a deliberately misleading question,…