The Long Journey to the 500th Post...

Solitary Window - Inis Oirr, Aran Isles, Ireland

   When I began this journey of contemplative photography back in 2005 I had no idea where it would lead.  I certainly didn't envision writing my 500th post for a blog on the subject!

   I had little understanding, really, of how complex and multifaceted the term was...how it could mean different things to different people.

   What I learned, very early on, was that if I was to fully embrace this new way of regarding the world around me I had to define the term for myself.  I felt contemplative photography was a broad and gracious enough concept to allow for an infinite range of interpretations.

   I didn't begin my journey empty handed however.  I brought with me my love of Taoist philosophy.  I've always felt there were ways to twine the two together...one illuminating and guiding the other...but I didn't fully understand how they could fit together until I began this blog.  Week by week, post by post I've journeyed into the concept of contemplative photography through a Taoist perspective.

   The journey initially took me along the bumpy and uphill track of exhibition and self-promotions which I quickly discovered was not my path.  I needed a new direction so when I came to a fork in the road in January of 2012 I took a different and less traveled route.  This blog has been a wonderful adventure for me and as I reach the 500th post milestone I am filled with gratitude for the friends I've made and the wisdom I've been gifted.  It is through the Celtic Christian tradition, which I was first introduced to by John O'Donohue back in 2006, that I was able to see Nature as divine presence and contemplative photography became a spiritual practice as well as a meditative one.

   In the end, I was able to fashion a concept of contemplative photography that fit my background and my interests.  That is the message I wish to pass on to you today.  You must make your practice of  contemplative photography unique to your own soul.  The only important thing is to begin...see where the path will lead you.  As the Cheshire Cat advised Alice, "You are bound to get someplace if you walk long enough!" 

   In the meantime, I welcome you to journey along with me through my daily posts as I seek ways to:

• Clarify Vision
• Forge a relationship with the landscape
• Open the heart for soulful responses
• Remain an open-ended question
• Journey with the heart of a pilgrim  

  You can click on any of the above subject areas to see posts I've previously written.  Again, thank you all for sharing this journey with me!  I'm looking forward to the next 500 posts!