Saturday
Arts and PoetrySnapshots of Basic Goodness: June
My friend’s cat as unperturbed model. Just sitting and enjoying and at the same time awake and alert. photo by Sjoukje Postma, Netherlands
In Shambhala, we embody the tradition, practice and lineage of clear perception, true seeing, direct awareness, true expression. This is incorporated in every expression of basic goodness, and can be captured through the practice of photography. Capturing those moments of presence is a big part of our path in Shambhala, and sharing them is a big part of our societal expression. Hence: Snapshots of Basic Goodness.
Share your moments of basic goodness with us! Visit us on Facebook: Shambhala Times Magazine.
(Click on each image to view larger.)
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- photo by Victoria Hagens
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- My friend’s cat as unperturbed model. Just sitting and enjoying and at the same time awake and alert. photo by Sjoukje Postma, Netherlands
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- woman in San Miguel de Allende, photo by Cara Thornley
San Miguel De Allende, photo & story by Cara Thornley
Walking in the Jardin, the town square in San Miguel De Allende, Mexico, I find myself again in that groundless space where opening or closing to the experience of the moment hangs in the balance.
Sitting on the steps of the parish church is a thin, wrinkled old woman, crutches lying by her side – her small brown palm turned upwards. I want to connect with her, but am holding back. I remember Pema Chodron describing how uncomfortable it is to make human contact with beggars on the street. Choosing to drop them some money, we hurry by, not looking at them.
I am extremely uncomfortable. ‘Hard heart’ thinks: “I’ll bet her kids put her on the street to beg for them.” Then ‘soft heart’, simply opens up, offers some pesos, and asks if it’s all right to take her picture.
Looking intently at the digital image I’ve taken, she points to her hair saying “Blanco, Blanco” and for whatever reason, laughs – her tired face transfigured. Repeating “Blanco, Blanco,” I point to my own white hair and we laugh together sharing a moment no longer hanging in the balance.
We invite you, our readers, to contribute.
See a moment of basic goodness in your life? Share it with a photo. Send your submissions to the Shambhala Times at: [email protected]. The best three for each month will be featured, but it’s not a competition. If you have more that you want to share – contact your local Shambhala Center and see how you can get involved with your local blog, and visit our Facebook page to see more: Shambhala Times Magazine.
To see previous posts in this series, please click here.
