I sat in a room that had been transformed into a camera obscura.
It was a profound experience.
Not only was it an invitation to pause and contemplate;
there were philosophical discussions;
a growing awareness of the miracle of the human body and the human mind;
and an exploration of memory - especially the trend to acquire memories rather than experience life.
Sitting on the chair, looking at the wall of moving images, I was given a gift -
a new way of seeing; of interpreting; of encountering the commonplace.
Thank you, Ally.

I think most creative activities lend themselves to a meditative aspect.
Gardening encourages the gardener to contemplate the gifts of nature, the rhythm of the seasons, the elements of fire and water and wind.
Knitting invites the knitter to mediate on the rhythmical motion of the needles;
the texture of yarn;
the final destination of the completed garment.
Doll-making draws my attention to the miracle of the human body;
the generosity of the human heart;
the resilience of the human spirit.

Dolls are a powerful medium
for creating awareness of issues;
for healing;
for sharing of stories;
for developing community;
for activism.
They are primal; powerful; intimate; evocative.
The effigy of the human figure draws us in; invites contemplation and consideration.
Dolls can be change-makers -
within individuals, bringing solace and comfort;
within communities, challenging conventions and behaviours;
within nations, drawing attention to issues.
I have created dolls that speak of family violence and breast cancer and depression and dementia and children's rights .

Simplicity - what does it mean?
How does it feel? sound?
Is it difficult to achieve?
Is it an editing of a complex, cluttered life?
Does it demand an attentive, mindful outlook?
Is it an environmental issue, or is it spiritual, or physical, or intellectual?
Why is simplicity necessary?
How does simplicity provide clarity?
How does living a simple life help me to become fully human?

We suffer from a poverty of language,
a blinkered view of mystery and the inexplicable,
a narrow interpretation of concepts such as 'medicine',
an unwarranted intolerance of the 'alternative' or 'holistic'.
We need to open our hearts and our minds and our worldview to possibility -
limitless, exciting, mind-blowing, miraculous, creative possibility.
We need to embrace possibility,
and remove the shackles of power and control and vested interest.
We need to live fully, consciously, attentively, willingly.

There are many varied ways to meditate.
They originate from differing spiritual, philosophical and physical traditions.
Some have set rules and practices.
Some develop complex theologies to accompany the practice.
However, all the rules and words can discourage a person from mediating.
'One Moment Meditation' is refreshing and ever so practical and applicable to everyday life.
Simplicity.

LIGHTENING THE LOAD

The first thing we have to do
is to notice
that we've loaded down this
camel
with so much baggage
we'll never get through the
desert alive.
Something has to go.

Then we can begin to dump
the thousand things
we've brought along
until even the camel has to go
and we're walking barefoot
on the desert sand.

There's no telling what will
happen then.
But I've heard that someone
walking in this way
has seen a burning bush.

Francis Dorff, O Praem

Imperfection.
Mortality.
Finite.
Decomposition.
Ageing.
All words or concepts that are almost counter-cultural.
And yet they real; grounded; fertile.
When we take these words into our being, our consciousness, our daily living;
accept them, listen to them, absorb their wisdom;
we become more attentive to the present moment; more fully human.

Is it inherent in the human condition to desire greatness?
Or is this desire a consequence of education or advertising or greed?
How do we re-focus our desires; our longings; our hopes?
Do we need to replace competition with collaboration?
Perhaps we need to become fully attentive to the present moment,
and in that moment become consciously and compassionately aware of the needs around us.
When we meet those needs, however small, we are indeed bearers of great love.
Perhaps this is the greatness we should aspire to.