“The breezes at dawn have secrets to tell you, don’t go back to sleep.”
Rumi
Rumi is not talking about rolling over and going back to sleep but about falling asleep to life. We can sleep through life by spending time in front of television, time on the computer, alcohol and drugs, overeating, gambling, etc. There is no need to make a list. We all can make our own list, as we are all susceptible to falling asleep. There are many tools and practices to help us with staying awake: mindfulness, meditation, contemplation, our breathing, prayer words, yoga, tai chi, daily walks. I’ve come to experience the practice of meditation and contemplation, helps me to stay awake to life. As Christine Valters Paintner says, “Most meditation practices are, at heart, about staying awake to life, being fully present to our experiences, and becoming aware of our own preconceived ideas and expectations that obscure our vision.”
Photography is another practice that keeps me from falling asleep to life. It’s taken me a few years to understand its impact in helping me stay present. I seldom take a walk without a camera around my neck which is combining more than one practice. When taking each walk my intent is to repeat a prayer word in rhythm with my breathes and steps, while the eyes of the heart and soul stay awake to what life is presenting. No preconceptions, just looking for secrets Rumi suggests we can find.
8 Comments
Tom Dills
Being present is the key, Monte. Life is what’s happening while we’re looking at our phones or watching television. I hope you have a great week!
Monte Stevens
Thanks, Tom. I also hope you have a great week.
E.Brooks
A striking composition here, Monte. Outstanding! While I believe the act of photography is beneficial in many ways I do think sometimes the camera can be a distraction as well — as in the act of trying to capture a moment rather then simply experiencing it.
Monte Stevens
Totally agree with you, Brooks. I raise my hand so show I’m guilty of that. If we experience the moment we will have a better chance of going home with a keeper.
Mark
Great philosophy and wonderful photo Monte. I am a bit guilty of letting photography set expectations of coming home with some type of treasure, even though being in the moment and the experience should be enough. I admit it, having a photograph that I can look back upon makes it that much more special to me.
Monte Stevens
Those expectations will do it every time, especially when we put in time and money into it. Now there’s a financial aspect of it. I’m learning to be more in the moment.
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