Quiet Afternoon in Vinal Haven, Maine

It is so wonderful that what draws our eye can tell us so much about ourselves. Today, drawn to windows and doors. It feels like opportunity. Using one of Paul's techniques I asked myself as I wandered the city streets, "are you with me Sanford"? It worked quite well.

Universal Magic

Today reality took a side turn down a surreal alley way. We met, spoke with, but mostly listened to Paul Caponigro; what an incredible honor it was. I've never met a man of this depth before today. Paul is an 83 year young master photographer who spoke in stories and seemed to touch each and every one of us in a manner in which we needed. It was like he was a gift to us leading us and giving us each personal advice as he spoke generally. Every statement out of his mouth was thought provoking. I left there, as did the others, in a quiet awe as if we had just left a monastery or church after receiving profound wisdom. Speaking to several of my classmates later, who all had the exact same experience I did, I told them I didn't want to let go of the magic, they understood exactly what I meant. Words can't quite describe this afternoon's experience and I don't need them to, but I'd like to be able to write about it well enough so that when life gets in the way, I can return to this and remember the gift I had today and reclaim that gift again and again.

Before out visit we spent a couple hours with a model at Owl's Head State Park. It was very difficult to capture much though since there were several people all trying to capture her at once. Hannah was a wonderful model. I feel very lucky to have had this opportunity.

Here's Hannah:

Sophia

We were given a chance to photograph Sofia in the nude today during portrait time. No instruction just an, "if you'd like to" kind of opportunity. I was pretty happy with these.

Portraits of classmates

Our assignment was to get close enough to our subject to feel their energy and then to shoot close up so that we could maintain a connection. These were a few I liked...

Early Morning Outing

Today's first class started a bit rocky for me as the roaring in my ear turned to nausea and dizziness. I skipped the first assignment and went back to bed a bit. More drops in my ear and I was better to go on the second assignment to Rockport Harbor. Our assignment was to connect with our object.  But not my best I didn't get anything I really like. These two were taken at Camden Harbor earlier that morning.

Three Intentful Corrections

 Before beginning any practice we need to pay attention to:

Body- grounded into earth- knees slightly bent, erect spine long and tall putting space between vertebrate, shoulders just resting on top, tuck tail in as if you have a 20 foot long tail and you are placing in on the ground behind you.

 

Mind- at rest- clear the weeds (excessive thoughts) and let quiet stillness sit as you tend the garden of your mind.

Breath- slow purposeful breathing- paying attention to how the air enters and leaves your body. Watch it and guide it as it moves through you

Circulating Qi~ Resistlessness

After gathering Qi (or chi) we must be sure that it is continuously flowing through us like our blood without blockage or stagnation. "Water that is not flowing can contract disease". So we add movement. Moving the body helps to circulate the Qi. As long as there is no injury or mental obstructions Qi moves freely throughout the body. Stresses and tension can cause the Qi to become blocked which can lead to disease. I love the line, "nature's state is resistlessness". Our Qi flows naturally if we get out of its way. If you have physical or mental blockage, it may be necessary to clear it through acupuncture. My one time experience with acupuncture was quite successful. I went because of my sciatic nerve, which became troublesome on and off for years when I gained too much weight in my pregnancy, unable to stand up straight or lean backward one week, I had a single session. I haven't had an issue with the nerve since then. Basically, from my limited understanding, the needles are able to release the areas that become blocked. This frees the dams that prevent the Qi to flow smoothly through the body.

Opening the gates- our joints like hinges we need to move freely to allow the flow

Remove blockages, be mindful of your thoughts for they become your actions as your actions become your habits and your habits become your behaviors.

When we get out of our own way nature can flow freely ~ resistlessness  

Belfast Maine

 The photography workshop starts tomorrow in Rockport, Maine. I'm glad to have a day to relax and do nothing. I found this cute cottage online a bit north of Rockport on the Penobscot Bay. Not feeling my best so a gray rainy day works for me.

Tai Chi Trainers

I learned so much ;) I'm very excited about the next step and am looking also for transcendental meditation training. There is so much more than we can see out there!

Spinney's and Company

Spinney's is the cute little restaurant, lodge where I've spent my last three nights. It is on the very tip of one of the many peninsulas here in mid Maine. It's a quaint little town with a library and a dock, and the fort. There is also a small general store, Percy's, where you can get fried clams and ice-cream next door.

 

Lobster Trap on dock

 

 These men were digging up clams in the river bed for a family clam bake.

Where the river meets the sea... lots of energy here. you can see the waves coming in from both directions.

Gathering Chi

Out my north window is Dawkin's Bay as the tide goes out it empties. It changes with the flow of the tides which makes me think of the contraction and expansion of all life. Reading today about cultivating Qi (or chi). Here are the 10 phases:

1. Discover
2. Gather
3. Circulate
4. Purify
5. Direct
6. Conserve
7. Store
8. Transform
9. Dissolve
10. Transmit

Today I stood at the water's edge and felt the enormous energy surround me as I gathered Chi. I was up early and there was very little activity on the beach. The tide was out so I could walk all the way on to one of the little rock islands here. These giant granite boulders are beautiful with large chunks of mica and quartz that make them light up like Christmas ornaments. I stood encased by the boulders in complete privacy with the energy of the winds and waves all to myself. It felt magical. 

Bay out my window- night before-all water is gone in low tide.

 A top the granite rock

 Tai Chi spot

 Only visitor at the rocks- he flew over chirping at me to stay back... I think he is a sand piper.

Old and Empty

I have missed my husband Scottie on this trip, but especially when I do something I know he would enjoy like walking around this old civil war fort. They started it in 1861 but the war ended before they could finish it. It is still in pretty good shape, enough so you can walk around inside it.

Space Around Objects

More from my first walk on the beach.....

 

 

I'm not sure exactly how to capture space and if people were not told what I was trying to capture or even if they are.... can they sense the space??

Finding Space

I found a wonderful space! It's a place called Spinney's in Popham, Maine. It is one of the view places this far north in Maine that has a three mile long sandy beach. I got a room where I can see the water for only $70.00, so much better than the concrete parking lot campsite for $60.00 just up the road~ sure glad I continued further down.

On my 3 hour walk on the beach I considered how I could emphasize space in my photos in keeping with Ajahn Brahm's notion that we should pay more attention to the space in between objects as well as the Qigong (chi kung) idea that Qi energy is all around us. I'm reminded of the morning I woke with a "message. Scott and I took his parents to one of the cabins we like in Brown County. I woke with the realization, a knowing, that "it is all about energy" which made me quite excited. We talked about it for some time. Ever since that morning, proof of that fact has been showing up in my life in various forms. I have no idea why or where that came from, but it came strong and has been making a difference in my life every day. One way it came was in way of my massage therapist, Christy. Two different people from two different social groups both gave me her name and said I must go see her. When I did, it turned out she was not just a massage therapist but also an energy worker. She performed energy work on me after the first couple visits. It seemed to light a fire inside me. Since that time, the energy stagnation (also a tai chi and accupuncture concept) seems to have moved through me. I didn't know why I was drawn to Tai Chi. I thought it mostly about meditation and movement. I hadn't really thought about what Chi was.... energy. Tai Chi and Qigong are all about harnessing the universal energy around us and using that energy to charge and heal our own Qi (chi). Practicing tai chi on the beach yesterday I got where I could actually feel the energy from the waves. Funny that mountains and oceans are two places where the earth's energy is strongest and that is where my trip takes me. I am extremely grateful for whatever it is that is pulling me along. I am more open and aware of life's messages than ever before. I am in love with Tai Chi and ache to learn more. I've signed up for the level one Qigong that is offered in Missouri in September.

I try to pay attention to what I put in the space around me now. It is quite a bit easier here away from everyone I know, but it gives me a great chance to practice. I feel I've accomplished a sense of awareness I've been working toward. There is no worry, no thought of what others will think of me, no judgements towards others, just peace and contentment. A feeling like everything is exactly as it should be.

My space right now..

Concentrating on the space around others.....

and I like this one to go in this series as well.