Friday 11 November 2016

look deep into the heart of a flower

photo by Christi Carter


if you bother to follow this blog then i probably don't need to spell out my thoughts on politics...suffice it to say that given my family history
and the stories i have been told by both sets of grandparents
each of whom chose exile over compromise
the results of the American election
coincidentally announced in Australia on the anniversary of Kristallnacht
fill me with foreboding.

what can i do about this? not a great deal
except
continue to live life to the best of my ability
continue to be care-full for my fellow humans
continue to hold true to the path that has been given me

now, i am surer than ever
that bending my work to the poetics of place
paying attention to being present, in 'being (t)here' as a way of life
rather than simply teaching "how to print leaves onto things"
is the way i must go.

yes, it means continuing to fly about in planes (windsurfing takes too long and my journals get wet) but that also means planting more trees at home to mitigate my share in the emissions
and because so many of you have kindly told me, both to my face, in emails, and increasingly in beautiful hand-written letters
that giving yourself the gift of time
(in a place that is not necessarily home)
to explore the small wonders of the whirled
through dyeing, drawing and writing
has made life better and richer for you,
i plan to continue doing this work.

because it gives me hope, too.

this past month i wandered to the remote western isles of Scotland
found deep magic there
took time to re-examine aspects of what i offer in 'being (t)here'
sat on the wild hillside and sang aloud
walked barefoot in the cold waters and refreshed my soul
brewed dye samples from gatherings around me

and thought about the return to my beloved Bay in February.
decided to make it smaller, more intimate
and to give the participants and even more beautiful collection
of things to work with, to experience and to take away with them

there will only be spaces for seven people this time
working with me, being fed by our chef (my daughter) Violette, and being guided in Yoga and breathing by my friend Shelley Boles

three places are already reserved.


please contact me here if you'd like more information

i'm also returning to New Mexico in 2017....in the spring and in the fall

and now, if you've made it to the bottom of the page, give yourself a beautiful moment. take a deep breath. look deep into the heart of a flower.


22 comments:

  1. lashings of serious here and (t)here love for this m'dear xxxxxxxxxx

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  2. It is a topsy turvey world we seem to inhabit. We can only make our small part better for others and hope that this inspires them to do the same. Keep planting trees :)

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  3. Dear India Flint, from my corner of the world i wave at you . Like you i share the sadness of our american friends and my choice is same as yours: practicing presence and peace of mind because i believe in the healing effect of peace. Thank you to share so much beauty and wisdom on your pages, it is what the world needs more than ever.
    Warmly.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much. It is good to hear from other peace-full people.

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  4. looking here for ways to cope. everyone is on edge, even the defensive "winners". it's a really strange time here, even in the north country. glad to read of your doings, india. wondering, too.

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    Replies
    1. everything begins and ends with us.

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    2. yes. my sister took it a step further, encouraged others feeling similarly to gather downtown today at noon. they did, and for 2 hours neighbors supported one another and talked about possibilities.

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  5. I've written
    then re-written
    then again deleted another of my comments here before publishing ...
    for what I think I'm most wanting to express
    is just a simple
    Thank You

    for the hope.

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    Replies
    1. Bless you. And thank you for the company.

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    2. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  6. How to...
    Step 1 - not here
    You've shared your truth, word and authenticity in the times I have learnt from and been guided by you. Many, many seeds. For that I am deeply grateful.
    No gin tonight but a glass of red held aloft.
    Keep on trucking x

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  7. Both perfect times to be in New Mexico next year...perhaps bumping up against the Balloon Fiesta in October.

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    1. ooops, overlapping, i think. we don't spend time in Albuquerque, but participants may like to wander on there and count balloons afterward :-)

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  8. Being an American, after the election has gotten me into the panic mode of the unknown... only knowing that the nightmare will not end for some time and it will get worse. But reading your beautiful words and seeing your beautiful images gives me some respite... that I can only go deeper into myself, go to yoga and breathe deeper.

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    1. it's all we can do. interestingly I have had a couple of "hosts" cancel a few workshops in the past few days...on quite flimsy excuses. I'm suspecting my political position may be playing a role, and if that's indeed the case, grateful for it!

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  9. Nah, we will get through this just like we somehow survived the last "not my president". The other one would not have been much better.......bad choices all around.

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