2012.07.07 _ 88

All day meditation session with mindfulness group. Just meditation, a couple of readings (one about the value of silence) and a little chat and discussion. I didn't reach any new insights or improve myself in any tangible way I think, but I enjoyed it. A phrase from a reading that resonated with me 'the ego-gratification of speech.'

Gentleness caught in photo ... the delicacy of blooms... of capture, of memory... how much it is impossible to see 'happening' around and within ...

Visited the Salvador Dali museum yesterday, captivated by unfolding revelations in his work. Though most recognized by 'persistence of memory' themes, I liked pieces that tapped the mystical inclinations later in his career (not latest pieces but around 1947 - early 1950s) ... magnificent in their hidden images and timing of bringing to light.

I watched many people walk by works that seemed to be nothing special on the surface, but which, if these folks had lingered a while (and perhaps they had or did later - who am I to say) they might have been even 'physically' changed by ... such is the power of some Art.

I also enjoyed the way he conversed and argued in his work, with the other artists and philosophers ... Voltaire, Pollock, Freud. And I enjoyed the way that some works on the surface seemed to be saying one thing, but when looking deeper into the history (such as in pieces where people are depicted with holes through themselves) sometimes showed very sensitive themes of childhood. He was also fascinated by and conversant in latest discoveries... particularly DNA ... spirals showing up in many places.

Dali was a dreamer... often what he painted came straight from dreams. What is fascinating is that they came out from dreams *with* the distortions in tact, or rather, he retained and then was able to show, the odd proportions. In this way he showed not just the content but in a way, the mind dreaming. Neat.

"We live in a beautiful world, yes we, do yes we do..." Coldplay edited 17:34, 8 Jul 2012

Zen, glad you enjoyed your day. Nothing at all wrong with sheer enjoyment. After all, who among us has so cast iron a constitution as to keep coming back to learn in places we don't enjoy? :)

Eliza, what a wonderful description. You have articulated so well about Dali's work, without at all coming over as pretentious (as so many do, and some are). In just a few words, I am with you as you traverse the exhibition, such is the gentle awareness in your words.

And Sam, thank you for the sakura blossom. How apposite!

Today, a day of loud bangs and gentleness: thunder in this world, and fireworks in another. Raining blossom, and karuna-metta meditation acting as a pivot point.