2014/10/27

ISTANBUL DIARY

After a long absence Istanbul got me once again.

Through its ever conflicting aspects, I let myself be reconquered by this, partly ugly all right, but immensely charismatic presence.



This town where decay and purity, harmony and chaos, unrest and peace, madness and wisdom exist simultaneously is both mundane and timeless.



A wholehearted dance with Istanbul teaches you to embrace life in all its intricacy.


2014/08/19

LIFE AND DEATH




Empty the Self completely;
Embrace perfect peace.
The World will rise and move;
Watch it return to rest.
All the flourishing things
Will return to their source.

This return is peaceful;
It is the way of Nature,
An eternal decay and renewal.
Understanding this brings enlightenment,
Ignorance of this brings misery.

Who understands Nature's way becomes all-cherishing;
Being all-cherishing he becomes impartial;
Being impartial he becomes magnanimous;
Being magnanimous he becomes part of Nature;
Being part of Nature he becomes one with Tao;
Being one with Tao he becomes immortal:
Though his body will decay, Tao will not.

(Tao Te Ching)

2014/07/02

READ THE BAROMETER FIRST

You wake up.

It’s a new day. Don’t hurry. Take a moment or two and read the inner barometer first.

Is it a high is it a low? What winds do you have today? The suffocating southwester, an uplifting zephyr, that devil may care-north wind? How strong? Or no wind at all in your sail?

What voice-over is dominating?

The gloomy one? Invariably malcontent, rigid, self-conscious, oblivious to the rest. Irritated and irritating.

The overcritical who sees the world in black and white with you in her eyes mostly in black?

The sunny one, for whom living is sheer delight? A passionate explorer. Always fresh and open and ready.

Is it the best of companions’ voice accepting you as you are? Gently pointing out to your shortcomings. Judges not. A keen and loving observer.

Or is it absence of voice-over? All the different variables in a perfect dynamic balance. Where no words are needed, no stick and carrot. Flux.

How is the overall tone? Elevating, oppressing, stagnant, or something in-between?

Check it out throughout the day for it’s in perpetual change. (Oh, not a big deal. Once you get into the habit of this it only takes a moment.)

Why bother, you ask?

Well, these meteorological conditions of your mood-sphere make up the workshop where your day is going to be sculpted.


You better know or at least get a feel of it so that you wouldn’t mistake wood for stone or tin for gold.

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