Seeking True North
I often request the window seat when traveling for two reasons; 1. to allow for additional head support while sleeping and, 2. to gaze out the window in wonderment. There's nothing quite like staring out into infinity, watching the clouds build, flourish and shrink. See the land from above and revel in the notion that the patchwork of earth segmented by roads, trails and rock does mimic that of a carton show.
But ultimately, I am awestruck at the absolute beauty displayed below in patterns, shapes and textures. The vastness, combined with the endless horizon, creates an instant calming effect and I immediately begin to ponder everything and nothing, simultaneously.
Which leads me to spirituality. She and I are still very much acquaintances; as I am just beginning to understand the inner workings of her essence and what it means to me. I suppose the first question is – what does spirituality even mean? Is it as grand as answering the questions of the universe, determining the point and meaning of our existence in some kind of big picture world view? Or is it more personal, understanding of our own purpose, what we bring to this life and to those around us? Is it believing that being a good or bad person ultimately determines where we go after we depart this body? Or is that even real; something made up in an effort to explain, justify and control?
Is it possible that we are all right and/or all wrong? Does it even matter?
So many questions.
Through my own investigations and meditative journeys I’m learning to navigate the sea of possibilities. They are as grand as the ocean and as limitless as the infinite horizon I gaze upon while riding this steel bird. I don’t think I’ll ever have it figured out. Perhaps the mystery only unravels once we’ve changed back into our natural state, comprising of the most basic elements.
Of course, there are countless ideologies out there from religious sects to mystical philosophies. Everyone seems to be an expert these days. But the one common thread that always runs wild through every viewpoint, through every dogma, is love. Perhaps love is the one and only true doctrine known to humanity.
“As soon as you look at the world through an ideology you are finished. No reality fits an ideology. Life is beyond that. … That is why people are always searching for a meaning to life… Meaning is only found when you go beyond meaning. Life only makes sense when you perceive it as mystery and it makes no sense to the conceptualizing mind.”
― Anthony de Mello
Original Posting - September 2019
On my last trip back from the East Coast, we settled back into some heavy clouds while lowering in Colorado. Every ready with the camera, I sat poised, headphones on and listening to Radiohead. It's quite a surreal experience dropping into the clouds, watching them engulf and dissipate in seconds....all while Street Spirit (Fade Out) plays your own private soundtrack. Give it a try.
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Behind the Scenes of Seeking True North
This is the first in an unfinished series called Certain These Clouds Go Somewhere. I’ve been building this collection over the last year and decided it was time to reveal, despite the fact that it’s not complete. I figure over the next several weeks, months even, the series will let me know when it’s time to hang up the towel. Or perhaps, as this quest, of sorts, might end up being a lifetime pursuit, maybe it’ll always be a work in progress. But regardless, the excuses I have in my head for delaying the release were just that…excuses.
I tried to explain what this new series meant to me the other day to a friend. I found it difficult to articulate my point, even feeling somewhat silly as if I was speaking in tongues. She assured me that maybe I didn’t need to have it all figured out. The very nature of this subject matter lends itself to a little ambiguity as one attempts to unravel an elusive enigma.
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To place myself inside the image, I moved furniture around in the house…a favorite past time of mine. I positioned everything by the front window, fan blowing for added effect and set up the camera. It only took a few minutes to get the right angle and settings before I was back at the computer. (We are in the process of renovating our out of date fireplace that the 80’s threw up on! Note to self: next time, use a sheet!)
My LightRoom collection of aerial clouds contains more than 500 images. It grows every other time I hop on a plane, which is quite often. I love the birds eye view of something that seems so grand while viewing from below. Some of the most interesting landscapes emerge from either the desert or high above the mountain tops. And the clouds… They have become my new best friends. I appreciate all they have to offer in their never-ending shapes and sizes. I love how quickly their contours transform with the wind. Sometimes I gaze into a thoughtful reverie. Other times my mind morphs them into creatures or scenes like I did often as a kid.
The magic that exists above 35,000 feet. Clouds. Shadows. Textures. Colors. Infinite horizons. If I recall, these were shot somewhere over the Arizona landscape.
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