Alec Soth's meditation practice changing his photography

[Mainecoonmaniac]

I've been a meditator for decades. Born with a monkey mind, I'm still on the journey to master meditation. But I find it interesting but not surprised that meditation has changed Alec Soth's photography.

Alec Soth: Cleansing the Visual Palate • Magnum Photos Magnum Photos

Alec Soth's new book, "I Know How Furiously Your Heart Is Beating", sees the photographer return to his photographic roots and seek out intimacy with his subjects above all else

www.magnumphotos.com

 

[gone]

I'm not surprised. When we "get it" during meditation, it changes us. In fact, the world changes when we become enlightened, whatever that may mean to someone. I know, that sounds irrational, but that's because everything is irrational until that happens. Irrational is human normality.

The monkey mind is the only way we get to enlightenment, wake-ups, or whatever one wants to call the place where meditation is supposed to lead us. It's actually necessary. That's where we all start.

When we drop "us" during meditation, it creates an opening to see how all things are connected, and how all things are actually one. They're just in different stages of arriving, existing and then departing. But if we set out to gain anything through meditation, nothing happens, it doesn't work.

That's because "Us" is the problem. And even when we do get the insights, they don't last. All known things in the universe are impermanent, especially us. So it's sorta like, celebrate the moment, be the moment, because there really is nothing else BUT this moment. Past and future are constructs, there is only now....now....now....

 

[peter k.]

Well stated, and right on...

 

[Mainecoonmaniac]

I'm not surprised. When we "get it" during meditation, it changes us. In fact, the world changes when we become enlightened, whatever that may mean to someone. I know, that sounds irrational, but that's because everything is irrational until that happens. Irrational is human normality.

The monkey mind is the only way we get to enlightenment, wake-ups, or whatever one wants to call the place where meditation is supposed to lead us. It's actually necessary. That's where we all start.

When we drop "us" during meditation, it creates an opening to see how all things are connected, and how all things are actually one. They're just in different stages of arriving, existing and then departing. But if we set out to gain anything through meditation, nothing happens, it doesn't work.

That's because "Us" is the problem. And even when we do get the insights, they don't last. All known things in the universe are impermanent, especially us. So it's sorta like, celebrate the moment, be the moment, because there really is nothing else BUT this moment. Past and future are constructs, there is only now....now....now....

Meditation is a detox for my brain in a toxic world. Especially with our electronic devices. When it's taught in prisons and in schools, it teaches people to pacify their minds. Yes there is only now. With a clear mind, we can engage in to world more effectively. David Lynch is a big time meditator.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

Staring out the window at the sky, or going for long walks helps focus me. I cannot, for the life of me, make myself sit down and meditate. Doesn't work.