Where to start? Well somewhere, anywhere for that matter. Issues never resolved that continue through time. Patterns repeated through human folly. Are the lessons of history ever to be learned? Wealth, power and sex always in any configuration. Can these things be transcended in a meaningful way? What are the considerations that may allow this to happen? Why do we cling to so many things which are clearly detrimental to ourselves and in particular to our home, planet earth. That is the challenge.

There are many overlapping considerations. Political, economic, social, environmental. At the core of all this is ourselves. We continue to ignore the dictates of human nature, somehow thinking the innate dictates of ourselves override every other consideration. How can this be? Are we that deluded? The lesser attributes of human nature have been allowed to flourish over millennia. Why, apart from the few that went against that, (those who were full of integrity, acting with a strong ethical sense) has happened? I suspect the marriage of church and state has had an enormous bearing. The chosen few who realised the possibilities. So simple. Most were ignorant, in awe of the constructs of the church. How could it have been otherwise? Such a deceit. One can only speculate on what might have been.

All things considered we can only work with what is. This is very important and suggests an underlying optimism. We must address the need to change the stories by which we live. This in itself is more than possible. In order to allow this as part of an evolutionary process is surely a matter of being conscious of the possibility. Essentially straightforward I would have concluded. Manipulation of minds becomes ever more subtle via AI. Most of us are none the wiser. Not good. We need inspiration (from the gods?) but do not seem to realise we are the gods. One of the many follies of ourselves.

The men in suits (as I call them) have really done well at the expense of everyone else. Their folly is not knowing when to rein things in, to give others an opportunity. They are still well off by any standard but apparently are none the wiser. What a pity. The current economic paradigm reigns supreme. Thank you ayn rand. You have really made an impression. How absurd! Divide and conquer, what a wonderful idea. Destroy time-honoured ways of life. What a wonderful idea. The more such things are considered the worse it gets.

Nothing lasts forever. All empires crumble. The damage this time around may prove to be irredeemable. It is almost beyond comprehension. We need a revolution of consciousness. I cannot see another possibility. It is more than possible. Schumacher was right, we need a people-based economics. Not too hard I would have thought. Meanwhile the world’s population gets ever larger. Perhaps that’s the big question no one really wants to address (there are exceptions). But you know it’s all good, a greater demand for goods and services; just what we want, yes? With regard to climate change who knows what the longer term implications are? I shudder to think.

Pull back. To what? To something that may allow the better functioning of communities everywhere. This model has worked really well for a very long time but has been eroded by business interests and the political groups that support them, all invariably acting out of self interest. Stories of an economy based on endless growth and profit reinforced by a powerful media perpetrates this model. We do need to do something to head in a more sustainable direction where business is responsible from raw material to end-of-product life. Less about profit, more about responsibility. So too with social responsibility.

Not everyone has equal opportunity in spite of what we are told (at least in the west). Time, circumstance, socio-economic-cultural background not to mention personal psychology have an enormous bearing. Everyone does not have the skill set or potential to create for themselves a worthwhile existence whatever that may entail. In so many cases our education may well be a hit and miss exercise in preparing us for the real world. Not everyone gets the time and attention they need and deserve. This could be addressed by including subject options which allow students to engage with themselves internally on an emotional level, creating better self understanding and awareness which in turn might lead to better decisions being available. The subject, ‘emotional intelligence’, would be a good start. Other starters could be philosophy, critical thinking and politics.

Another major consideration is the idea of a universal wage. Enough income to guarantee a basic standard of living for all. Public housing needs to be reintroduced. There is no reason why this cannot happen. Real estate prices are out of control. If this means running a substantial deficit then so be it. Many current governments are obsessed with running a surplus, again at everyone’s expense. None of this is returning to socialism. It is simply a question of fairness. If people feel more secure and have even a small amount of disposable income they tend to spend. The wheels keep turning regardless.

Why must we adhere to policies that put ever more capital in the hands of the few who then invest only to their own advantage? They already have more than enough. Why are so few ever satisfied? A return to a mixed economy, which seeks innovation, while at the same time providing a base of employment generated nationally for people to access readily without the provisions of economic rationalism and privatisation. We need to take care of our needs as we used to and specialise in what we excel at.

I am not suggesting this does not occur but the idea needs to be embraced, taken on board as a meaningful way forward to counter the slow but sure corporate takeover of everything which is wrecking economies everywhere and more importantly wrecking the planet which is home to each and everyone of us. When calamity comes as it surely will, there will be no escape for anyone.

Any meaningful change has to come from the ground up, not the other way around. The current economic story serves only the few. They will fight to the death of course because they are far past the point of no return; completely delusional. People power can and will save the day. We must not give up.

The words above were written some time ago. I don’t think much has changed. Then along came covid and turned everything upside down. We are still in its grip. Various vaccines are heralded as the solution but already new variations of the virus are apparent. Will it all disappear in time much like the spanish flu did long ago? I hope so. Meanwhile people’s lives have shifted in a profound way especially in areas with high population densities. I am sure everyone is doing their best but eventually there will be and already is a great deal of mental health issues which strain our already over stretched mental health services. This may well be the lasting legacy of covid.

We have always faced issues. At this time a factual, well reasoned and ethical dialogue is ever more necessary to provide a meaningful way forward. I hope we can find the courage to do so. I remain optimistic.

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What can I say? It happens sometimes. what you dream might happen versus what actually happens. I think it’s a product of too many days on the road. Who knows? We think we are on it, we think all is well. Maybe. The simple truth is one gets tired, very tired without being aware to what degree. There is an agenda, an itinerary which one seeks to adhere to.
It’s not fixed in any real sense but the desire is stick with it regardless.
The journey must come to an end but can it reach its intended conclusion?
At a certain point the desire for the whole thing to end is overwhelming. Still one persists.

There are many reasons for this.
The organisation that went before, the outlay of money that will be lost should things not proceed, the regret that one did not see it through when things return to normal.
Still, decisions have to be made and it is better to make them without regret. Our psychology plays strange tricks. Sometimes it’s difficult to really understand what we seek. Other things are always at play which do not disclose themselves readily. The picture we construct of our own consciousness is vague at best. How much of each component is enough for our emotional stability?
Small amounts of what we think we want is more than enough. More than enough. But the tendency to overdo just about everything without sufficient awareness of where things may be headed is what happens. (We appear to be subject to collective stories which suggest there is more to be realised than we are capable of understanding).
Very foolish but on it goes – regardless.

What are the conditions that allow an empty-mind state? A state of consciousness comprised only of the present moment – because in truth there is nothing else. In spite of our best intentions this is the most  difficult state to realise because … the present moment must arise spontaneously. It is all there is. We don’t grasp the fundamental reality of this. The present moment cannot be constructed, organised or pre-planned. All must be in harmony but this is the metaphysical conundrum. We cannot consciously recognise when everything is in harmony yet we have a sense of it. It is fleeting at best. The mind chatter continues of itself.
Without discipline we are largely unaware of the possibility of stillness particularly under chaotic circumstances.
Do we exert any control over our existence? I don’t think so. Yes we make decisions based on what confronts us in each moment. But (when it comes to dreams ) the reality of realising them is never how we construed them in the first place. Life has a way of realising itself of its own accord.
We may well be none the wiser.

So what to do? Most important is to learn to trust our own instincts. Invariably that is the way. Unfortunately this is something that is rarely taught to the young both by parents and educators. This is very unfortunate. What a difference this simple thing would make.
Decisions are made by the rich and powerful which influence everyone by way of stories which negate the instincts of individuals who endeavour to conform to so called norms; not always for the better. No one bothers to explain the differences.
The road to self realisation is very lonely indeed.
We must help each other. People left to there own devices have a strange way of making sound decisions. To realise we all have this capacity is crucial.
So much time is wasted trying to appear to be within the bounds of so called normality lest others construe us otherwise. To be authentic or at least have a sense of what that may be is something very worthwhile. It is a great place to begin. Again no one really talks about such a simple idea.
Learning to respect each other in such a way would be of great benefit.
I mean this in a cooperative not a competitive sense.

Travelling is such a strange thing. There is no other way than to begin with an open heart. A complete blank screen of the mind. Then what presents is all fresh and new. No expectations; responding in the moment because nothing is known or familiar. This is not necessarily either easy or straightforward. It is not for everyone. A state of dynamic tension that holds it’s position in one’s consciousness. That is the way. It requires constant attention. Difficult.

How then to proceed to allow this? Visitors (of the mind) persist. It is somehow to allow for this while at the same time being in the moment and responding to what appears, all the while trusting one’s instincts.

Well everything is fine in theory at least. We can only try. Let go and get lost anyway then try and tolerate whatever discomfort may arise to re orientate oneself and get home. In my case I am so visually orientated that often I miss sounds as I endeavour to make sense of my surroundings. I prefer a map to gain an overall slant on things with perhaps gps assist to give position in relation to the map. Oft times there are so many people who seem to just wander staring at a smart phone to navigate but all the attention is directed to this and so much of one’s immediate surroundings go completely unnoticed. Besides as good as the technology may or may not be it is certainly not without it’s problems. As a result so many are not using a skill set which has been part of humanity for ever. I find this actually quite upsetting. It is also worth noting that help is always at hand if we can accept that possibility without the ego getting in the way. Many people especially the young always have some english to whatever degree. This is invariably enough to get on track and can be a lot of fun as well as a chance to interact with locals. People everywhere can be surprisingly warm and friendly. All we have to do is be open.

I think another aspect of all this is the result of simply getting tired. This is something that can just sneak up on you and the natural inclination is to ignore it. Wrong again. Finding a way to address this properly is important. Being still for a period certainly helps. Removing the desire to keep going to see just a bit more while the opportunity is there knowing all the while that time in any particular place is limited is also important. So it goes; the eternal push and pull. Searching for the way that fits.

Agendas are also interesting. Having little or no agenda certainly helps. Forcing oneself to tick everything off the days list seems to me to be foolish, leaving oneself wide open to disappointment. Accepting everything as fresh and timely is far better. Research can be done at a later time if the inclination is there to pursue something in greater detail. At such a time assimilating new information may be far more rewarding. It’s having the experience in the first place that matters. Besides we can only absorb so much at any one time regardless. Another aspect of tiredness can manifest with suddenly everything starting to look the same. It could be something like not another church or not another lane way with every aspect becoming bland without seeing the subtle differences that present. This is bound to happen sooner or later.

It’s somewhat existential in as far as one is moving through a space with little or no relatedness to surroundings or the people who may be in that space at the time of passing. Things can change very rapidly though. A sudden turn can offer immediate connection once again as new surroundings are perceived with new clarity. The “in and out” of consciousness is constantly shifting. No wonder one can get tired. There is this constant confrontation with the self. As always this is the real life; the main game.

landscape, people and places in three countries. things that link us together.

they all have a story. that is the whole point.

pictures are the most wonderful expression of what one sees. they are everywhere.

This story begins with an image which can invoke many things. Trying to find a thread is the important thing. Images have this wonderful ability, a quality which allows this to happen. it’s some fantasy of our own making. the mind moves in a certain direction. we just have to listen.

A women sitting in a porch. what is she doing? behind her, the mountain lurks, shrouded in mist; changeable at any moment. how does she come to be here in the first place?

We had been travelling for some time. The joy of having a car is that you can basically go wherever you like. Not for everyone I know but it sits well with me. Some time spent in Pamplona then further west into Basque country which is truly wonderful. So eventually we decided to travel east more or less following the line of the Pyrenees on the Spanish side. Certainly an interesting journey varying from open and somewhat expansive until a transition into a more mountainous landscape with the road becoming evermore windy and narrow. No matter, it’s all part of the journey and I always love the sudden transitions as the landscape changes. The weather was good . This always helps. Further we head toward our destination. As luck would have it our satnav was on song and took us directly to where we were intending.

Our arrival in a tiny village was certainly interesting. Just a dog to greet us; no one else about. A short look around and we found our accommodation quite easily. Wonderful. The village was perched on a hill with great vistas in all directions. To the north though it was even better.

The scene fell away across a small valley which was semi open with pockets of woodland dotted through it. Beyond, on the northern side, an enormous bluff completely dominated the landscape around it. Passing clouds brushed against its face before continuing their journey. The whole scene was quite breathtaking. Oh to be an eagle and soar over that bluff!

Our host had told us of a small monastery which apparently was not all that far away. With enough daylight remaining in the day we set off hoping to find it. The road was really rural; narrow and washed out in places but manageable. Landscape can be very deceiving. What appears to be a short distance can turn into a far longer journey. This was certainly the case here as we twisted and turned through the landscape. Finally the end of the road and a short walk to the old building which proved to be in a state of considerable disrepair. Clearly restoration work had been done but not for some time. All in all a bit disappointing.

On the way up to the monastery we had passed a small stone church, barely noticed at the time. It was linked to the monastery of course, perhaps for the local faithful and others who had come to pray for the job being done on behalf of some saint or other up the road. A bleak and lonely life for the monks. If the work they did was ultimately for the benefit of all then perhaps it was all worthwhile. Who knows?

The ancient church which was very small had been lovingly restored perhaps by caring locals. It stood on a flank of the bluff and commanded an amazing view south which fell away in folds revealing the grandeur of the landscape. The light was just exceptional as the sun dropped to the west. Clear and sharp. In the distance clanging bells from roaming goats was clearly heard, a wonderful background sound. At such a time there is a feeling of well being, a timeless sense of what has gone before, what is now and what will be in the future. Really we are all so insignificant.

My partner, an artist felt inspired to do some work. It really was an inspirational place, there was no doubt about that. Being there at that time of day, not another soul around was a privilege. She set up in the porch of the ancient church and began. Time to go for me so I wander off and take a number of pictures as the light gets even better. My favourite time of day. The solitude is wonderful. There is something the australian aboriginals talk about; their relationship to the land. We all have access to this if only we watch and listen. It is that simple.

The afternoon wore on. It was time to go.

where to start? it’s a strange undertaking, one which at times can border on almost obsession which of course is nearly always dangerous. the middle road is the best possibility but we humans can be prone to excess even at the best of times. 

it’s always difficult to somehow create the appropriate space to allow things to happen of their own accord which in essence is about a no mind position. this cannot be ‘dialled up’, it can only happen unto itself. to overcome inertia to begin is the important thing, dispelling the voice which gives reason not to. getting through that and proceeding anyway is what matters. the rest will then take care of itself. belief in one’s ability also helps a great deal.

and so to be in a chosen environment and simply begin.  there  can be so much visual information to begin but quickly one’s own way of ‘seeing’ emerges. an intention can begin, a thread that leads somewhere but more often than not things simply ‘appear’, that is to say they present. my way is to be as spontaneous as possible, endeavouring to respond as intuitively as possible.

as in this instance. I am in a lift and taking the shot against a mirrored surface because it presents even in such an unlikely place. and besides it’s fun. walking, stopping, looking, just getting the feel of one’s surroundings. it really does require a certain level of concentration. the way of cities. each time it becomes easier to understand, a little more is learnt. it is as if it is seen with fresh eyes.

we all learn from each other. how can something new be tried until we have awareness of the possibility. by endeavouring to let go, our own style can emerge unfettered by the tendency to draw comparisons with the work of others. to exist in a space of one’s own construction in such a way is priceless. it affords the opportunity to be in the world on one’s own terms. it is a beautiful way to be.

knowing when to stop is essential. at some point tiredness sets in. being able to concentrate goes out the window. suddenly nothing is working. time to stop. there is always a next time.

somewhere I heard the camera described as a sketch book. this has always appealed to me. instead of pencil and paper, the camera. a way to record moments in time as they happen. what possibilities. I think it is one of the most profound inventions ever devised by humans. it has revolutionized our view of the world and continues to do so in spite of the fact that so many of us now view the photograph as somewhat passe with the ever changing convenience of technology.

trev.

it was a very different day. a big low had sucked up a lot of very cold air from antarctica. that’s a long way, even by australian standards. a big, wild sea and cold, very cold.

there is always a core crew who seam to relish in such conditions. in spite of the limitations of their gear they persist. really hard work for seemingly very little and the cold, the cold. in spite of everything, moral is high; sacrifices are made just to be there. this spot does not work very often. it needs a  very particular weather event such as that which  occurred on this day.  not for everyone but perhaps that is what attracts this group in the first place.

big rain squalls come through at almost regular intervals. the sky darkens, heralding what is to come. those in the car park scurry for the shelter of their vehicles. I with my camera continue as best i can until finally retreating to shelter to await the passing of the squall. yet again it passes and so to continue shooting until I can do no more.

conversation ensues as i pass among the watchers, a banter on what is unfolding as we watch. the dialogue with surfers has it’s own way. it is something i truly love, born of common ground and understanding. after all, i am one of them. I know the ways of the surfer.

there is something of great value about the way of these things. surfing is but one example. the pursuit of this in some purist sense, far away from the hype of professionalism just for it’s own sake because it matters, because the heart dictates. this is what matters, this is what makes surfing what  it is, this is what makes it absolutely authentic.

trev.

Sometimes life presents something which we can recognize and feel part of. often whatever it is can be very simple and straight forward. just a matter of being there without any idea of what may present. recognition of something going on but just going with it, allowing it to unfold.

In such a way the recognition comes on slowly, almost dreamlike. an example of being in the moment, of simply being mindful of what is unfolding without putting emphasis on anything other than one’s own awareness.

So on this day it had been raining for sometime in the afternoon, the sky filled with big clumps of rain bearing cloud and when it rained it was quite heavy. eventually the rain cleared and what remained was a heavy sky with a narrow band of clear sky on the horizon. as the sun moved toward the horizon an incredible light revealed itself in stages; sharp yet subdued, with deepening shadows and subtle highlights.

It’s a window, a glimpse lasting no more than twenty minutes, changing all the while until finally the light is gone. there is something about this time of day I cannot explain. I have never been one for early morning. the best part though is that all this is free. It also engenders a free spirit. this cannot be bought for love or money. this is something our political masters will never understand.

trev.