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Most of what I had heard about Tibet was tied into the political oppression of the Tibetan people and culture by China. Though we had experiences with this, I choose, here, not to go into that arena. Instead, I have chosen to look at, and share with you, my personal experiences during the trip. "Wherever you go, there you are." Wherever I go . . . This was a trip to Tibet in September 2001. I was excited about the upcoming trip, it was a treat to myself after having completed a busy summer show season just two days before departure. I was looking forward to seeing, feeling and taking pictures of a phenomenal place and phenomenal people. I have always thought any city is the same as the next from the point of view of its people, the harried and hurried way of life, proximity of neighbor to neighbor, etc. Yes, there are cultural and architectural differences, but the interpersonal complexities of city life have seemed the same.
Tibet, as a whole, caught me off guard. I was not prepared for the elevation, expanse of the land nor the lack of inhibition of the people. It is a relatively small country, but the people, their lives and culture are as big as the Himalayas. Everywhere we went, the people were right there - inquisitive and without fear of people different than themselves. As a result of this, if we weren't on the road, we were interacting with the Tibetans kids who would pop up out of nowhere, sharing the view through our cameras, looking at each other intently, observing our differences and similarities. Everywhere . . . we were greeted with the same kind of generosity not only by the people, but by their history and the landscape, as well. Monasteries and temples so colorful it took my breath away. Elevations so great it was difficult to catch your breath in the first place. Skies so pure and air so crisp that the quality of light is different than anything I'd seen before. At the same time, the trip was difficult for me. . . . there I am.
This trip to Tibet was too fast! Too much to see in too little time. Every day was filled to the max with driving, seeing . . . doing (which was imperative in order to get even a small taste of this country). As the days passed, my tension increased. Stop! I want to stop and sit and watch and smell and feel and hear and savor the color, the people, the light , the expanse of the landscape the peace in the temples and monasteries. Needless to say, there was little time, and the "down time" I did have was when I was taking pictures - it was the time when all I had to do was communicate with my equipment, be still inside, and see the "patterns of things" before me. So here I am, at a later moment in my life and I am still internalizing the experiences and significance of this trip to Tibet.
When I lay my life out in front of me I can see, plainly, that the greatest gifts, the most poignant messages, those moments when I feel most connected, have come during the process of taking pictures - no matter where I am on this planet - whether at 16,000 feet in Tibet or on the mound in my back yard. Moments of greatest peace, gratitude and awe come at these times when my mind is still.
This may be all there ever is . . . perhaps it is enough. I am grateful today.
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Lhasa helped me see how narrow cited I have been. We stayed in the older
section of town, relatively close to the Jokhong Temple, the spiritual and
commercial hub of Lhasa, and everything about it was different. Most
evident was a quiet presence, a calm and respect in the way people related
to one another and a kindness and generosity that was to be found wherever
we went on this trip from city to village to nomad camp to the yak herder on
the hillside.
I have been at a junction of change in my personal life. After years of
needing to fill my life with activity, the presence of other people and a
significant other, I was coming to see it wasn't necessary to do this in
order to have a full life. As a matter of fact, I was starting to enjoy the
company of one - my "self". Further, all I was looking to do was slow down
. . . even stop for a while. But as things happen in life, I had gotten to
this place long after having set the pace.
Interesting that the anxiousness I felt there, I also feel here. I have
wanted to slow down - to be still - for quite a few years. And I have, to a
much greater extent than when I was participating in shows every weekend all
summer long. But what is slowly floating to the surface of my consciousness
(like a weighted down air bubble) is that it is about the "'quality' of quiet". And it's not about doing less, it's about being
conscious - to sit and watch and smell and feel and hear and savor the
color, the person, the light, the expanse, the landscape of who "I am" -
being generous and respectful of my needs.
"Photography" - the process of quieting the mind,
clearing the focus, seeing with the heart and allowing spirit of the
universe to become embedded in the emulsion of my soul.
Images from Tibet
