Magga

The Path, The Way The Eightfold Noble Path: 1 Right Understanding, Right Vision 2 Right Thoughts 3 Right Speech 4 Right Action 5 Right Livelihood 6 Right Effort 7 Right Mindfulness 8 Right Concentration, Meditation

So many teachers. So many books. In looking for a source I discovered the Tripiṭaka. Thousands of teachings from the Buddha, all written around 500 BCE. I will try not to let the overwhelming nature of trying to learn about something I never, at any previous point in my life, considered learning. I am but an infant. I am not even certain that I want to be a Buddhist. My curiosity, as well as the intriguingly positive effect finding my way to the Temple, has me. And so I am slowly beginning to investigate. What is most interesting to me is the absolute effect spending time on the Monastery grounds has had on me. I am as a stray cat that literally wandered out of their woods.

What feats he did that day.

Throw together some armor made from whatever is on hand and works. Rap some duct tape around a rattan stick, maybe throw on a heavy rubber ax or hammer head. Pack it up and drive to a hot & humid, often stormy spot in Western PA. Haul it up the hill to the "Field" in the morning. If you pass safety inspection, get a sticker and then you sit in the sun until things begin. When the canon sounds you then go beat the ever living crap out of each other until the "Marshals" call "HOLD!!" You sweat so much that only handfuls of pickles, green olives and gallons of water are keeping your brain working as the hot summer sun bakes it in the portable pizza oven you call a helmet. And don't forget all the god awful chafing, in the worst places. Later the night you drink beer and compare bruises with the guy who gave them to you. Pensic is coming!

#Pennsic #Pennsicwar #Pennsicwar46 #Pennsic46 #sca #pennsiciscoming #reenachtment #medieval #medievalreenactment #societyofcreativeanachronism #armsarmor #arms&armor #rattan #armor #knight #knights #heavycombat #heavyfighter #melee

Only Hours Left!

PSA: Today's the LAST day to pre-register for Pennsic War 46. Just google "Pennsic 2017"to find the site. It's been years since I've gone myself. It was six years ago that I took this photo of one my my all time favorite performers. Serendipity I miss seeing you guys. Clan Tynker will always be dear to my memories of Pennsic.

#Pennsic #Pennsicwar #Pennsicwar46 #Pennsic46 #sca #pennsiciscoming #performer #circus #dipityt #Serendipity #clantynker #tynker #familycircus #circusperformer #reenachtment #medieval #medievalreenactment #societyofcreativeanachronism #serendipitytynker #clantynkerfamilycircus #gypsy #gypsystyle

Patterns

Patterns, shapes, composition and the play of light.As I pass though my day I am often struck by little vignettes comprised of those elements. They often rivet my mind and I take a mental photograph. Feeling frantic for not taking an actual photo, for whatever reason, faded many years ago. I've come to simply enjoy seeing how I view these moments in time.I'm feeling like a new chapter in how I work is coming.

#driftlessregion #driftless #driftlessarea #wisconsin #wisconsinlife #discoverwisconsin #thedriftless #driftlessart #wisconsinphotographer #travelwisconsin #platteville #rollojamison #miningmuseum #boxing #leftjab #wisconsinart #ig_mood #featuredpalette #artlovers #artlover #americanart

My Wife Hamming it Up

While setting up my remote flashes for this photo shoot I asked my wife to stand in the space so I could model the lighting. I know she's enjoying being on scene with me when my normally stoic and quiet wife hams it up. After almost eleven years she's still my favorite "model."

#driftlessregion #driftless #driftlessarea #wisconsin #wisconsinart #wisconsinlife #discoverwisconsin #fineart #finaeartphotography #contemporaryart #art #modernart #ig_mood #featuredpalette #artlovers #artlover #thedriftless #driftlessart #wisconsinphotographer #travelwisconsin #mounthoreb #springarttour #mounthorearts #mthoreb #mthorebarts #mthorebartists #danecounty

The Sun in Your Eye

So after being around the Temple for about year this is only the fourth time I've sat in on a teaching. The thing to remember is that this isn't a place of sermons but a place of learning. The first "teaching" I went to was the same as if I'd gone to the last lecture of an educational program about a subject I only had cursory knowledge of. In other words, I had no real grasp of what they were talking about. Then I went to two "beginner" teaching sessions, and it gave me some frames of reference. While photographing the day's inter-faith teaching makes four. I not only got to do what I enjoy most but I also listened. The first two teachers covered things I'd heard in the beginner's class months ago. I was surprised by how much more "fleshed in" my basic understanding was considering I mainly stray around the grounds. I also began to have an inkling as to what I need to do next. Oddly enough, and totally by coincidence, the sun had shifted enough to cast light into the hall, reflect off of something (?), hit the eye in the Buddha's brow, and then twinkle back at me. I almost laughed. I'd been in my little area at the back of the hall for hours and it was the only time the sun did that from my perspective.

#Bodhicitta #Bodhi #Citta #Mahayana #dharma #buddhist #buddhism #learningthedharma #meditation #puja #soulsearching #training #findingmyself #monastery #meditation #holyplace #holy #peace #namaste #buddha #driftlessregion #driftlessarea #wisconsin #wisconsinlife #discoverwisconsin #thedriftless #driftlessart #wisconsinphotographer #martialartslife

Pennsic Nights

Here's another dancer. This one's from 2007 while at Pennsic War. This is talented @samirashuruk #love_bellydance #bellydance #bellydancing #bellydancer #dance #dancing #dancer #perfomance #passion #beauty #new #lovebellydance #sereginaalina #bellydancequeens #wisconsinphotographer #pennsic #pensicwar #darter02 #darter

Creative Joy

A very random conversation with one of my buddies back home in Pittsburgh got me to recall that I used to photograph dancers. I had spent about seven years getting to know a specific local folk dance community. It was a chance to learn how to photograph motion as well as beauty. Anyway, after seven years I had built up enough trust with various belly dancers to work with a variety of artists. My favorite was this one. We had a number of photo sessions over the years, including her Virginia Beach wedding! Having that trust between artists, and working on creative projects has to be one of the best things I've enjoyed in this life. So many recent events have unfolded here in Wisconsin, giving me a chance to collaboratively create again. I'm feeling really luck.

#love_bellydance #bellydance #bellydancing #bellydancer #dance #dancing #dancer #perfomance #passion #beauty #new #lovebellydance #sereginaalina #bellydancequeens #wisconsinphotographer

Basket Woven Buffalo

I made an extra trip to cover another of the artists from the MHAAA Spring Art Tour. She'd been at one of the locations I covered as a guest artist so I was unable to photograph her in her "element." Today we had a nice chat about all sort of things while she wove a new piece in her work station. She then had some new willow branches that needed added to the buffalo she'd created in their little patch of heaven. Even though it was very hot & humid I had a really nice time. I simply love seeing these beautiful locations where people are being creative. Each visit has reinforced my comfort at the life choices I've made that have allowed me to a chance to do this sort of work. I may not be getting rich monetarily, but the experiences are worth it.

#driftlessregion #driftless #driftlessarea #wisconsin #wisconsinart #wisconsinlife #discoverwisconsin #fineart #finaeartphotography #contemporaryart #art #modernart #ig_mood #featuredpalette #artlovers #artlover #installationart #thedriftless #driftlessart #wisconsinphotographer #travelwisconsin #mounthoreb #springarttour #mounthorearts #mthoreb #mthorebarts #mthorebartists #danecounty #basketweaving #basketweave #willow #buffalo

Rolling Through the Drifless Edge

Another photo from our local roadways. This one is just outside of town, south of our home.

#driftlessregion #driftless #driftlessarea #wisconsin #wisconsinart #wisconsinlife #discoverwisconsin #thedriftless #driftlessart #wisconsinphotographer #travelwisconsin #mounthoreb #mounthorearts #mthoreb #mthorebarts #mthorebartists

Dedication of Merit Prayer

Gewa diyi nyurdu dag
Lama sanggye drupgyur nay
Drowa chigkyang malu pa
Kyekyi sala go par shog


By this virtue may I quickly
Attain the state of Guru Buddha, and then
Lead every being without exception
To that very state!


#Shantideva #Bodhicaryavatara #Mahayana #dharma #buddhist #buddhism #learningthedharma #meditation #puja #soulsearching #training #findingmyself #monastery #meditation #holyplace #holy #peace #namaste #buddha #driftlessregion #driftlessarea #wisconsin #wisconsinlife #discoverwisconsin #thedriftless #driftlessart #wisconsinphotographer #martialartslife

Life Unfolds As it Will

Today life itself is giving me a lesson in patience. Last week I pushed my physical ability beyond my capacity a bit too much. Last Monday I ran through many different techniques that are required to pass the Blue Belt test in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu @riseupmartialartsacademywi. It was AWESOME and totally unexpected. I'd actually wanted to do something like that as it's been around 6 months since I did my own belt test. I'd partnered with a guy about my size who is getting ready to test for his Blue in a few weeks. We had so much fun running through it. I believe we did around 200 or more maneuvers in 60 minutes! At the time I felt GREAT! I also knew where many of the mistakes were in various techniques but was really pleased I recalled as many as I did. Unfortunately my upper arm didn't agree. Being stubborn, later that week I unloaded and stored over 820 pounds of scaffolding by myself. That too worked my right, upper arm. Then I did a three day photo expedition, that actually spilled over for five and into today, making six days in a row. My gear is very, very heavy so the constant manipulation of my camera really pushed my injury. This morning I had a session scheduled for physical therapy, followed by two photo sessions. When I went to leave I found my Jeep battery dead. My wife is in La Crosse, so I guess this means I'll HAVE to rest my arm. So it's a day of ice, an arm sling, and ibuprofen.

#dharma #buddhist #buddhism #learningthedharma #meditation #puja #soulsearching #training #findingmyself #monastery #meditation #holyplace #holy #peace #namaste #buddha #driftlessregion #driftlessarea #wisconsin #wisconsinlife #discoverwisconsin #thedriftless #driftlessart #wisconsinphotographer #martialartslife #bjj #brazilianjiujitsu #jiujitsulifestyle #jiujitsu

Left Jab!

My wife & I went on our daughter's field trip to the Mining & Rollow Jamison Museum in Platteville today. This time we were smart and drove ourselves instead of riding the school bus. Being that the weather was perfect we went on a cross country drive to get there. It ended up being more of a "date" sort of day. A scenic drive. Flirting at the back of the tour group, and then skipping out on the second half of it to pick up lunch in the small town. By the time we got back to the tour it was time for a picnic! The best part was making it home about an hour before the kid. She had to ride the bus back. ;-)

#driftlessregion #driftless #driftlessarea #wisconsin #wisconsinlife #discoverwisconsin #thedriftless #driftlessart #wisconsinphotographer #travelwisconsin #platteville #rollojamison #miningmuseum #boxing #leftjab #wisconsinart #ig_mood #featuredpalette #artlovers #artlover #americanart

Driftless Spring

The Driftless offers such a pastoral beauty. This is little rolling valley is on the outer edges of a region that the glaciers didn't bulldoze during the last Ice Age. I'd begun exploring the area on my own soon after arriving. Only now am I truly connecting to it. For instance, during my photo gig to cover the recent MHAAA's Spring Art Tour I had to drive past this location. What's not pictured is the house of my former fitness trainer which is just down the hill from where I took this. It was such a pretty spot to be forced to do burpies, coordination drills using a ladder on the ground, going up and down the hill holding plank, etc.. Fun times those!

#driftlessregion #driftless #driftlessarea #wisconsin #wisconsinart #wisconsinlife #discoverwisconsin #fineart #finaeartphotography #contemporaryart #art #modernart #ig_mood #featuredpalette #artlovers #artlover #installationart #steelsculpture #thedriftless #driftlessart #wisconsinphotographer #travelwisconsin #mounthoreb #springarttour #mounthorearts #mthoreb #mthorebarts #mthorebartists #driftlesshistorium #danecounty

Summer Breezes

On Saturday while photographing the MHAAA Spring Art Tour we went to a studio on the edge of the Driftless Area. We enjoyed a perfect view and an an early summer breeze that kept the gnats off of us. I loved seeing the amazing studio locations. Granted, I only went to 8 of the 17, so I am hoping to get to visit the rest someday. I proposed to their organization a deal that would make it affordable for me to go to each creative space and take shots of the artists at work. I guess we'll see what happens?

#driftlessregion #driftless #driftlessarea #wisconsin #wisconsinart #wisconsinlife #discoverwisconsin #fineart #finaeartphotography #contemporaryart #art #modernart #ig_mood #featuredpalette #artlovers #artlover #installationart #steelsculpture #thedriftless #driftlessart #wisconsinphotographer #travelwisconsin #mounthoreb #springarttour #mounthorearts #mthoreb #mthorebarts #mthorebartists #driftlesshistorium #danecounty

MHAAA - The Spring Art Tour - 2017

Blue Mounds, Wisconsin on a quiet Sunday morning.

#driftlessregion #driftless #driftlessarea #wisconsin #wisconsinart #wisconsinlife #discoverwisconsin #fineart #finaeartphotography #contemporaryart #art #modernart #ig_mood #featuredpalette #artlovers #artlover #installationart #steelsculpture #thedriftless #driftlessart #wisconsinphotographer #travelwisconsin #mounthoreb #springarttour #mounthorearts #mthoreb #mthorebarts #mthorebartists #driftlesshistorium #danecounty

Creative Spaces

Yesterday when I woke up I felt very relaxed and ready to have fun photographing artists' studios. At both locations that I chose to do I had the type of artistic experiences one can only dream of. At each I was able to take my time to really set up my lighting. I wanted the scene to look as natural as possible, with no crazy tell-tale shadows or reflections. While setting things up I also enjoyed some nice conversations, and being able to connect in a small way to the artists themselves. Surrounded by their lovingly crafted works and having been invited into their studios to play, the experience really buoyed my soul. I am sort of feeling sad that this photo series is now over. With around 17 locations I only made it to a tiny handful. Hopefully this relationship with the MHAAA will flourish and I'll get to pass through the rest of their artists' galleries. I guess we'll see what happens?

#driftlessregion #driftless #driftlessarea #wisconsin #wisconsinart #wisconsinlife #discoverwisconsin #fineart #finaeartphotography #contemporaryart #art #modernart #ig_mood #featuredpalette #artlovers #artlover #installationart #steelsculpture #thedriftless #driftlessart #wisconsinphotographer #travelwisconsin #mounthoreb #springarttour #mounthorearts #mthoreb #mthorebarts #mthorebartists #driftlesshistorium #danecounty

Location 9

I have to admit I'm truly enjoying this creative tour around the region that I live in. I've met some inspiring souls and have seen the act of creation up close. I'm thinking I may try to go see even more of these artists after this tour is over. This year there are 17 locations in all and I've made it to a small handful so far. The MHAAA Spring Art Tour was just what I needed to bolster my spirit.

#driftlessregion #driftless #driftlessarea #wisconsin #wisconsinart #wisconsinlife #discoverwisconsin #fineart #finaeartphotography #contemporaryart #art #modernart #ig_mood #featuredpalette #artlovers #artlover #installationart #steelsculpture #thedriftless #driftlessart #wisconsinphotographer #travelwisconsin #mounthoreb #springarttour #mounthorearts #mthoreb #mthorebarts #mthorebartists #driftlesshistorium #danecounty

Location 12

It's Day Three of the MHAAA's Spring Art Tour. I am constantly being amazed at how scenic some of these Driftless Area studio locations are. The undulating ridges are like great waves on the ocean. As you drive along the crests you can see the waves of land rolling away from you. And then you get to a studio where you'll meet amazing artists, have interesting conversations, and marvel at the location. And the art. I marvel at finding myself in such a richly creative terrain.

#driftlessregion #driftless #driftlessarea #wisconsin #wisconsinart #wisconsinlife #discoverwisconsin #fineart #finaeartphotography #contemporaryart #art #modernart #ig_mood #featuredpalette #artlovers #artlover #installationart #steelsculpture #thedriftless #driftlessart #wisconsinphotographer #travelwisconsin #mounthoreb #springarttour #mounthorearts #mthoreb #mthorebarts #mthorebartists #driftlesshistorium #danecounty

The Road There

Sometimes it about the drive to get there that makes the trip worth it.

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MHAAA - The Spring Art Tour - 2017

I had an amazing time covering the Mount Horeb Area Artists Association's Spring Art Tour. I only made it to 3 of the locations but had very meaningful experiences at each of them. I can honestly say I felt I not only photographed artists at play, but I also met new friends. I've not had so many personal conversations in one day with so many people. I also got to work with my apprentice Katherine at two of the locations. It feels so good to teach. By the time I got home I was a bit overwhelmed and wound up. I didn't fall asleep until the wee hours! I've another two days of coverage. I wonder who I'm going to meet today? This photo is of the artist Barbara Westfall.

#driftlessregion #driftless #driftlessarea #wisconsin #wisconsinart #wisconsinlife #discoverwisconsin #fineart #finaeartphotography #contemporaryart #art #modernart #ig_mood #featuredpalette #artlovers #artlover #installationart #steelsculpture #thedriftless #driftlessart #wisconsinphotographer #travelwisconsin #mounthoreb #springarttour #mounthorearts #mthoreb #mthorebarts #mthorebartists #driftlesshistorium #danecounty

The Shadows of Prayer

In the fluttering darkness I found solace.

#dharma #buddhist #buddhism #learningthedharma #meditation #puja #soulsearching #training #findingmyself #monastery #stupa #meditation #holyplace #holy #peace #namaste #buddha

Gates of the Soul

​

I stood before the doors of the Temple for the first time today. Up until now I have used the visitors' entrance at the bottom of the main stairs. I've been doing volunteer work there for a short while, mainly in the forest and gardens. I'd hoped to be sort of a volunteer forester of sorts. Late yesterday I was asked to come present my portfolio. Today I did so and it was one of the most intimate conversations I've had in a while. Not the nitty-gritty of the everyday you don't share with people, but the really deep aspects that have meaning to me. ​It was totally unexpected, and I honestly thought they were going to ask me to cut the grass on a regular basis when I first was asked to come talk. To be given a shot at capturing the Temple, the culture, as well as being welcomed to explore the Noble Eightfold Path has left me wondering at how quickly life can change. And so I stood at the door of the Temple.

#dharma #buddhist #buddhism #learningthedharma #meditation #puja #soulsearching #training #findingmyself #monastery #stupa #meditation #holyplace #holy #peace #namaste #buddha

Hunter III

Just when I was beginning to fret that my life was going to be nothing but training, kittens and house repair I received relief. The local area is hosting a Spring Art Tour. Basically it's a driving tour around my local region with stops at various artists' studios. Earlier this year they'd talked to me about photographing the entire tour but those plans seemingly fell through. Last night Mount Horeb Area Artists Association called and asked if I could photograph it after all. Since it begins today (!), and I've already committed to a few events this weekend, we've paired it down to focusing on 8 of the 17 locations. I'll not get those, but I'll try to fit in a couple extras as well. Looks like a fun assignment! Thankfully, I'd actually photographed one of them yesterday by coincidence. I love working with Center Ground Studios, so was already taking images of one of his new pieces. I'll take it as a sign...

#driftlessregion #driftless #driftlessarea #wisconsin #wisconsinart #wisconsinlife #discoverwisconsin #fineart #finaeartphotography #contemporaryart #art #modernart #ig_mood #featuredpalette #artlovers #artlover #installationart #steelsculpture #thedriftless #driftlessart #wisconsinphotographer #travelwisconsin #mounthoreb #springarttour #mounthorearts #mthoreb #mthorebarts #mthorebartists #driftlesshistorium #danecounty