The Secret Ingredient

Yesterday, I really felt a need to get up into the mountains, so I took my dog and headed up to the Uintah National Forest. As always, I stuck a camera in my pack, but unusually for me, I set out with intention of NOT taking pictures. Rather, I just wanted to walk, throw a stick for Jack, and look.

About halfway through the hike, we came to a deep alpine lake at about 10,500 ft. In the shallows, the grasses were curling, undulating with the small waves.

The whole time I shot, I thought “I can’t believe this is being given to me…”

Recently, a Shambhala teacher told me “I’m going to give you the secret ingredient.”

“Patience,” he said.

Amen.

 

 

Five Dogs In

On a somewhat friendlier note (than Suicidal manikins…)

A Bodhisattva is an awakened being who chooses to return to this suffering world again and again, until all of the numberless sentient beings have awakened. This can take many forms, from reincarnation in the Hell Realm (as Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of compassion, attempted causing his head to explode into a thousand pieces) to great teachers in this human realm, to the sweetness of a truly good dog.

 

 

black dog, brown eyes

action jackson, yes?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Five Dogs In

each of my dogs has taught me

how to be better to the next

 

five dogs in – finally gentled

 

 

 

sleeping dog, early morning

abby, early morning 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sometimes

sometimes

 

in the evening after the heat

has broken and the dishes are done

the air in the house goes silver –

late day light filtering in

my dog and I like to sit in that light

and listen to the world as it cools

 

sometimes

 

he looks up and catches me

watching him sleep

 

sometimes

 

we hold each other’s stare

as if either of us looking away

just might shatter

 

everything

 

 

©jafink/oldbones.newsnow.com

Suicidal Manikins

Stay tuned for a rather unusual gallery soon to go up on http://www.jfinkimages.com.

For many years, I’ve shot the often disturbing images of manikins the world over –

What is identity?

Are we ever sure?

suicidal manikins, loneliness

suicidal manikins

dance in midnight storefront

windows

pulling madly

at their supports — willing to risk

everything

for a single moment

alone

©jafink/oldbones.newsnow.com