India (December, 2016) – Often in difficult times; we seek moments of serendipity, we passively search for answers, we actively complicate matters. With the year's end upon us; I sit here trying to sum it up with an image, in a thought, in some sense of meaning... 

A song starts to play; a moment of serenity washes over me, and like a flash Namchi comes to mind. I remember to just Breathe!

India (December, 2016) – The Dhamek Stupa is chronicled as the spot where Buddha gave his first sermon after harvesting enlightenment. We circled around the 28m diameter stone stupa base; engulfed in photo-making, sidelined in finding the Eightfold path leading to nirvana. 

I suspect obtaining samādhi with camera in hand and intrigue in mind, is a life long process.

Türkiye (November, 2019) – A year ago; I was awestruck by multi-level arches in repetition, a magnificent collection of massive glass globed chandeliers, a large domed cupola, Byzantium era frescos and large painted Ottoman Empire script. It never occurred to me that a museum title would be revoked for religious purposes, but back in July the Turkish government reconverted the Aya Sofia from a museum to a space of worship.

Uzbekistan (November, 2019) – Standing under one of the original cupolas dating back towards the end of the 12th century, my mind kept thinking back to the quote "we may say most aptly that the Analytical Engine weaves algebraical patterns just as the Jacquard loom weaves flowers and leaves".  

My mind's eye fixated in an ultra stimulated state by patterns; mosaic tile, suzani embroidery, ikat fabrics, the simplicity of the domed space in many ways took my breath away.