Hello my readers…
Instead of writing about equity, love and kindness, today I am posting images from trips to Shanghai and Hong Kong. I have no words to share, because you, my like-minded, caring friends already know in your hearts what I would say about the travesty of Asian backlash here in our country.
Today I look back and celebrate an ancient culture, the color, the carving, the depiction of emotion and ethics articulated in stone, metal, and wood. I have hundreds of pictures but these few quietly express the change of perspective gained when open to another way of seeing.
The quiet temple shown in the first image seems monochromatic… until you approach and feel the warm red glow of the carved and painted wood
The still pond surrounding the temple is teeming with color and life, more intense because it is a private discovery . . .
This visual feast is how I give real and deep tenderness to that grieving part of myself, in times like these, allowing me to see with more clarity. How do you cope with the rising intolerance, the brittle judgment of generations of unexamined fear cloaking our American culture? To strengthen my resolve I focus on beauty, on joy, on a broader view of how to be human. I share it here, as found in the Asian culture.
Giant buddha outside of Hong Kong awaits, here he is a quarter mile away
we climb the many stairs and approach
figures twenty feet tall surround the buddha, with offerings
Back down the stairs and nearing the bus I turn to say goodbye–and find the face of the quiet buddha looking my way framed in an opening in the limestone wall.
Another private discovery, all the more intense because it was unexpected. Look for the unexpected, stay open, and rejoice in the varied aspects of human beingness. Variety is a tremendous blessing. Can we even imagine a world without it?
Beautiful photos and sentiment Elisa!
One of my mantras…Life is too short to drink bad wine. Our world is filled with such beauty. It remains my focus, even more so, in more challenging time. Thank you, for this, Elisa.
Thank you Isidra and Nancy…stay resilient ….