Meditations in colour. Works 06

My first painting about colour and meditation.

Before you move on to new things it is interesting how one feels like accepting and acknowledging the past. I am on the verge of putting together a new body of works with their roots in various ideas and thoughts that have been dancing around in my head for a long long time, some have emerged as a painting or two, but now I have this urge to go the whole hog....... ^_^


They say the journey of one thousand miles begins with one step. It will be my pleasure to show to you in coming months what I have been thinking, drawing, painting and writing about. But before the new comes please review with me my 'old'. ^_^

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I know I keep talkng about the time I spent in Ladakh (bear with me some more ^_^) and one of the questions that was most often put to me, especially by Ladakhis themselves was , "So, what did you do with your time?" They were refering to winter, if you have ever been to the airport at Leh in winter, you will notice, there is a long line of people at the departure terminal and the arrival is nearly empty! Well, i don't blame anyone, year after year of isolation can be absolutely monotonous I guess. No malls, no multiplexes, nothing, just mountains and deafening silence in winter (in summer Leh is a complete contrast, all green and vibrant with people ^_^)

Coming back to what I did while I was there.....gosh! I could write a book! what did I do? I cooked....dal, potatoes, carrots ....ha! ha! I'm veg! washed my own clothes under open sky in summers, with the glaciers in view, and what a view! !

I remember my walks with great fondness (ah! how I miss those walks!), after my walk I would return to my room and paint or draw from my mind's eye what I had just seen - a copse of leafless trees, a horizon of mountain peaks.....clouds floating in the distance, leaves of apple trees....anything.

At the end of the year, my husband (then boy-friend) and myself found that I had accumulated quite a few art-works, and he said to me, why not put up your works here in Leh? at the time I thought it was a great and silly idea, at the same time.

You know how it is when nature conspires to help you, my dear brother-in-law, had opened a restaurant in Leh, called Golden Dragon (he is partner of the popular Golden Dragon restaurant in Delhi, Saket) partly to be with his wife, who being ladakhi prefers to spend half the year of the year in Ladakh ^_^ (who would'nt?)

Well, Kelly, my brother-in-law, offered me his newly done up restaurant! and so one August we got my paper-works (and just a few oil-paintings) framed locally and my husband banged in the nails and hung up my works and I had myself an informal exhibition! ha! ha! that was fun! no arty crowd! nothing! just local and foreigners who were pleasantly surprised to see art-works as they entered the restaurant...they certainly were'nt expecting any of that! One does see thangkas, yes, but not intimate rendering of one's stay in Leh.

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Here are a few of those works, I have given a little description to each work. Hope you like them, sorry, if the images are'nt very sharp and all.......

Prayer-flags and tree in winter....the carved face of the frame was made using readily available decorative strips of wood used in interiors of traditonal Ladakhi homes. I saw them being sold in a shop beside the framer's and decided to experiment. To my luck, the framer got it right and it worked! ^_^





I called this water-colour Gyurmet after my husband's second name, it means 'unchanging'. Ancient trees do have something unchanging about them...... ^ ^

Thangthong house. This was the view from my room - a traditional Ladakhi home belonging to our neighbours, the Thanghtong family. Peeping behind the tall poplar is Shanti Stupa. You get a marvellous view from up there of the valley ^_^

Autumn leaves I, II & III
A set of three water colours depicting autumn. I have used actual autumn leaves- poplar, birch, capturing their shape by placing them on paper and painting around them, and repeating the process till I was satified, till it looked balanced, complete.

I have experimented with composing by accident as opposed to planning.

This was inspired when I saw for the first time a path laid golden yellow with leaves after a very windy night. ^_^

This one I did with leaves from a place called Phey, not to far from Leh. Rigzin took me there while on a shoot( he is a film-maker) and while he was filming with his crew I was left to wander around as I wished, so I painted and even got chased by a male dzo (cross between a yak and a cow, used for farming) gosh was I scared! ha! ha! ^ ^

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Thank you so much for allowing me to share this with you. It takes more than one to do that ^_^

I wish I return with new and inspiring art and I wish you great success in all you chose to dream of!

Love & light !

Haiku: inspiration.

Small watercolour by me, Magpies in Winter, 2005.

Poetry has always been my love besides painting. I discovered my deep love for poetry from the far east early on in art school. I would go to its little library and read the only book they had on the subject, Japanese verse. I would write the poems down.... contemplate on them, the sounds and thoughts which perhaps had been locked away in that musty library for many many years! It was’nt a lending library which meant that the book could only be savoured within the library itself!

I cannot explain but for some reason I relate to and enjoy oriental poetry- Japanese Zen masters, Chinese poets.........Amongst the various forms of Japanese poetry, haiku is my favourite,^ ^ I love its spare and ‘grounded in the present moment’ feeling.....It is amazing how 17 sylablles of a haiku can move your entire being. ^_^

Here is an excerpt from a book, ‘HEART a personal journey through its myths and meanings’ by Gail Godwin. She writes about the significance of the heart in a haiku. I choose to present this way of explaining about the haiku because I’m sure a mere definition of anything is always easy to find, what escapes us is the essence which is often so subtle,.. very subtle in the case of the haiku ^ ^

“The heart concept is central to the practise of haiku, Japan’s distinct form of poetry. Though haiku comes from the word haikai, which means ‘sportive’ or ‘playful’, it has a precise rule of form: it must be seventeen syllables in a 5/7/5 pattern. Characteristically it is attentative to a specific time and place and season, and it records or implies the evanescence of all existence. Its images arise naturally out of the kokoro – the heart-mind; they are felt and perceived at the same time. Even today, Japanese crtics evaluate a poem by two standards; its kokoro (sincerity, conviction, ‘heart’) and its craft.....The ideal haiku is not only spare, clean, swift, and resonant; it has amari-no-kokoro, a heart-soul quality that reaches beyond the words and leaves an indelible aftertaste."

Now to read some haiku which I consider part of our rich human heritage! ^_^

Basho (1644-1694)was the greatest of all haiku writers who crystalised the style. In his later years he was a student of Zen Buddhism, and his poems are an artistic expression of its philosophy.
(from ‘An Ode To Nature’ by Adi F. Merchant)

Spring:

a hill without a name

veiled in morning mist.

Soon it will die,

yet no trace of this

in the cicada’s screech.

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The poet in me.^_^

Untill now only a few have borne with me as I shared with them my poems, my heart’s pouring forth. Unlike painting, I do not know where the flow of words comes from! It’s source is much more mysterious to me. Of one thing I am sure, the heart is the main conduit. A sort of place, , where we gather, assimilate things, experiences and then they pour out as poetry or maybe a flower arrangement! ha ha..

I have presented a few verses from the time I was in Ladakh. Hopefully they are bearable to read...I hope ^ ^ They ar’nt haiku, but inspired from the general spirit of haiku. This “less words” style suits me very much ^_^ It feels nice to leave things open-ended, leaving the reader to associate as his present state allows.

Wind shaping clouds,
sky holding earth,
moon lighting our steps.

Dragon-wind blows,

leaves rustle praise.

A sickle-moon stood still,

harvesting done

someone left it in the sky.

Morning enters the room,
conversation of birds
lingers in the trees,
a stray cloud finds its way home.

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Love & light!

In the Capital !!!

Towards the end of this winter (only for the north of India, really!) I spent a few days in Delhi with my husband. Allow me to share my travel photos.......


Streets of Delhi
Detail of a rickshaw – we don’t have these in Mumbai! ha! ha! It was funny to ride in these....


Red Fort- Walking midst History.

Here is where the Republic Day Parade ends each year which we all see broadcast on National Television, this was the first time I stood there! ^_^

Inside the Red Fort: Diwan-e-aam, the Emperor held court here with the common people.

Squirrels! they were everywhere!

Thousands drive by the Red Fort each day where the Yamuna once flowed.

We had hired a guide, who in poetic hindi explained to us its history for only Rs.100!! and we stood listening to him besides, the emperor’s chambers, I imagined the emperor and his family enjoying a pleasant morning - the Yamuna flowing by... the forest beyond in mist.. a peacock’s cry renting the still air! ^_^ ...Sigh!

The Emperor' private mosque is now closed to the public, so we were peering through the jali windows.

Inside the mosque is a fountain where the Emperor could perform the ritual washing of hands and feet before saying prayers, isn't that beautiful? a fountain to yourself ^ ^

The Bath house which was meant only for women is also closed to the public, if you look closely, (not too clear here), the floor is in-laid with precious stones, such as lapis lazuli and mother of pearl.

Majnu -ka -Tilla: vibrant Tibetan Community.

We stayed in Majnu-ka -tilla, which is really far from South Delhi and the airport! but we loved it!

From all corners one can smell Tibetan incense burning.....mmmmm.....

I truly admire the Tibetans for making something good out of the place they have been given by the Government ^_^ . You will find many travellers staying at the hotels here. Dalai Lama's serene portrait smiles at you benevolently when you enter all shops, restaurants, travel agent offices and hotels ^_^

At M.T you can eat thukpa, momos, drink butter tea....buy incense, jewellery-turquoise,coral....or just walk around, it is much safer than most parts of Delhi ^ ^ which is what I like best about M.T.

A monastery at M.T- the monks inside were preparing decorative sculptures made out of dough in preparation for Losar, the Tibetan New Year ^ ^

Mithu Sen , for free!

The travel to Delhi also coincided with artist Mithu Sen’s exhibition at Khoj residency. While I was there, a writer-friend called requesting me to collect an art-work from Mithu Sen and so I arrived at the opening, knowing nothing about the show!

The pink rooms, everything blew me away! and I was so grateful that Shubhalakshmi had requested me to come to Khoj ^_^ The show was suffused with love! Pink love!

Above: The art-works to be given away, displayed (hidden) in kitschy bags fashioned from pillow-cases! Mithu Sen is to the far right.

About the show: Mithu Sen had invited people through her blog and website to write letters to her and in exchange she would give them an art-work done by her for free! They could do what they wanted with the art-work, ...even destroy it, but .....with love!

Kutub Minar- eternal splendour.

My jaws dropped when I saw the Kutub Minar for the first time! India is beautiful! This is such a magnificent example of Islamic art! ^_^

Within the surroundings of the Minar are these beautifully carved pillars.

Detail of carved walls of entrances and arches, reaching high up.

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There is so much more to share but these pictures should suffice, I can't wait to explore more of Delhi- ruins or otherwise ^_^

Love + light !!!

Re-visiting Igatpuri - Vipassana, insight meditation.

The view from where my room was. A detail of the bell which was rung to call for meditation and meal times taken in the morning. From here one could see the sun rise over the distant hills like a dome. It filled your being with gladness. A perfect way to begin the day. ^_^

The bell in the pavillion, the architecture is in Burmese style.

View of the entrance to the Pagoda. At the top are little wind-bells which tinkle most beautifully in the wind. I have taken these pictures when the sun has'nt completely come up yet. By noon the gold of the pagoda shines brilliantly against the blue sky

Letting it all sink in, sharing the dhamma. (dharma)I've just returned from a ten day course of Vipassana meditation. Although this is my fifth time, it feels as if the work has only now begun. True, the earlier courses did help me, I derived much benefit from it. I used to suffer from migraines, and I mean suffer! but from the time I did my first sitting, gradually the migraines lost their intensity and faded away. Of course, the meditation is not meant only for those with migraines or serious emotional and mental issues. With Vipassana, that is something that just happens once you start practising , all these psychosomatic illnesses start going away.

About the courseNow, what is Vipassana meditation? The word Vipassana means insight, to look at things in a special way, from as many points of view. This technique of meditation was discovered and taught by the historical Buddha 2,500 years ago. Please read the official site to get better and more accurate information, I am after all only a student. http://www.dhamma.org/

Experience of other meditators.

While surfing the internet, I found much to my pleasant surprise plenty of blog-posts by first-time vipassana meditators, most having done the course while travelling in India or abroad. While doing so I found out that Alanis Morisette wrote the song, 'Thank You' afetr finishing her first course, vow! now I know the reason to the lyrics, I had always wondered about the song, hmmmm... I am posting links below but bewarned each one's experience is unique although everyone agrees it is beneficial in the end.http://www.adventureguide.com/articles/Vipassana.htm
http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/India/Uttar-Pradesh/Varanasi/blog-138927.html http://lifecoachesblog.com/2008/01/07/thai-sojourn-vipassana-part-1/

A basic sketch of the ten days
When you join the course you for 10 days, you are asked to take five precepts, (no intoxicants, no stealing,....) which will strenghten your sila, (pali language at Buddha's time in India)that is morality. This is essential to the practise. You also refrain from speaking to your co-meditators for nine days. Of course you may speak with the teachers regarding the technique or the management if you need anything. All this has a good reason which becomes clear as you go deeper into your practise and the practise requires you to go very deep indeed. Take my word for it. On the ninth day you can talk as much you like and make friends with everyone. ^_^

Next for three and a half days you will practise samadhi, that is concentration, mastery over the mind. What is the tool with which you will practise? your breath, natural breath, for this is universal.

By the fourth day, now that your mind has become sharper and concentrated you practise Vipassana, which means you observe the sensations on your body wether pleasant or unpleasant and remain aware and equanimous. No one becomes a master Vipassana medtitator in a ten days course but you are taking the first step on the path to liberation.

By practsing Vipassana, you are developing wisdom from your own experience since none one can help you but yourself. Vipassana is a non-sectarian practise and anyone can do it without giving up their own faith or beliefs. It is a universal practise. In my own experience I have seen people from all denominations of life at the course. I find this experience hugely good for my ego. It brings me straight back to earth. In everyday life we tend to separarte ourselves from those we don't want to mix with. But here we are meditating with Christians, Buddhists, Hindus, Old people, young people, the rich, the poor, people from different counries, everyone, we are kind to all. Everyone is treated equally.

On the last day you break your silence. Before that, you learn a new meditation, metta-bhavana, where you share your goodwill with all beings.Each course after metta and breaking silence, my eyes glisten, as if my heart is melting. One has to see for oneself the joy on everyone's faces. ^_^

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The reason why I am writing in such detail about my ten days is because I feel a great need to share this technique with others. So that it may help others as well. There is nothing mysterious or complicated about Vipassana. The teaching is so clear , it is as if you can see straight to the bottom of the lake. But the first dip in the waters only you can take.

Usually I shy from mentioning about Vipassana knowing people may not want to make a committment of any sort let alone give the technique a fair trial. But there are thousands who have done so and onl for the better of it. Come see for yourself. Do a course some time in your life. The Bodhi seed is there in all of us. ^_^

My own resolve
We have been so conditioned to look and see outside of ourselves that it is impossible to understand a life where after dinner instead of watching T.V for an hour which although may be entertaining we can instead medtitate, that too a practise which will help change our habbit patterns.

One has to have to have strong determination if one wants to bring a change in one's life. With continued effort it can be done. I intend to do so without losing heart. If I do happen to miss an hour of sitting in morning or evening , due to travel or any other reason, never mind I pick up and start again. Always the middle path, no extremes. ^_^

Love & light !
In the words of Goenkaji,
May you be happy! May you be liberated! ^_^

Additional linksVipassana introduced in Tihar Jail, Documentary "Doing Time Doing Vipassanahttp://www.dhamma.org/en/av/dtdv.shtml
modern medicine/health and vipassanahttp://indiahealthtour.com/alternative_healing/meditation.html