Nurturing Thursday: Meditation

On By RupaliIn Nurturing Thursday25 Comments

I took this photo around a month ago and like it very much. I call this photo “meditation”.

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These days I am reading a book “The Sun my heart” by Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh. I love the “apple juice story” in which he explains how meditation helps us to let our mind settle. For Nurturing Thursday this week I would like to share it with you all.

I got this version of story from internet which is slightly different than in the book but I hope you like it.

One day, Thuy (a five year old girl) and a few other girls were playing near the hermitage, and they came in to ask for water to drink. I had some organic apple juice a neighbor had given me. I offered each child a glass. The last serving of apple juice went to Thuy, who did not want to drink it because there was a lot of pulp inside. She left it on the table and went out again to play. About an hour later, she came back very thirsty, looking for water. I pointed to her glass of apple juice and asked, “Why don’t you drink that? It’s very delicious.” She looked at the apple juice and saw that it was now very clear, because after an hour or so, all the pulp had sunk to the bottom. She was very happy to drink it.

Then she asked me why the apple juice had become clear, and I answered that it had been practicing sitting meditation for an hour. And she understood! Because we left the glass there for one hour, it kept still and became clear. She said, “Now I understand why you practice sitting meditation—you want to be clear.” I said, “Yes, you understand what sitting meditation means. If you know how to sit, how to put yourself in a stable physical position, if you know how to handle your in-breath and out-breath, then after some time, you become peaceful and clear.” That is why we like to do sitting meditation every day. We imitate the glass of apple juice, or the apple juice imitates us!

 

Studying rhythm in composition!

On By RupaliIn Learn Photography, Uncategorized29 Comments

Recently I have started taking interest in the theory of photography in order to improve my photography skills.  I am focussing on learning different concepts and am following Brenda’s posts on “photo studies”. Brenda has explained “rhythm” with variety of photos including repetitive and non repetitive components in a photo and even included Ted’s video on rhythm in visual composition.

In this post I am presenting my understanding of rhythm ( just like rhythm in music). To start with there are photos with repeated patterns found in nature and in man made designs.

 

The rhythm in these photos is related to a specific pattern.  Next I want to see photos without repetition. In such cases by using a rhythmic element we present the mood or the flow.  We feel the movement when we see waves or flowing water or a picture of a road gives us a sense of rhythm.

 

 

I would love to hear your comments. Please share your knowledge of rhythm.

Next challenge would be to find rhythm in a minimal setting. But one thing at a time.

Nurturing Thursday: Awakening

On By RupaliIn Nurturing Thursday, Weekly Photo Challenge37 Comments

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Last two days I am watching and enjoying these crocus flowers. Until a few days ago they didnot exist but with a help of little sunshine, they are happily blooming. Today I spend some time trying to capture them with different angles. It was really hard. May be I should have had overalls. Do you know the best place to find wild crocus in abundant is an old graveyard.

Few days ago there was little discussion on a fellow blogger’s post about difficult times and how life is not fair for all. These crocus flowers inspired me to share a zen quote,

Flow with whatever may happen and let your mind be free. Stay centered by accepting whatever you are doing. This is the ultimate ~ Zhuangzi

For Becca’s Nurturting Thursday and Weekly Photo Challenge.