We are back in lockdown here in Ontario, so my days are pretty much like the movie Groundhog Day, very much the same and confined to home and neighbourhood. So, I’ve been practicing paying more attention to the little things I do every day and take for granted.
Drinking water is one. I’ve been trying to remember to drink a full glass before every meal, noticing how good it tastes and how it makes my body feel better almost immediately. I’m lucky to have clean water to drink and it makes me think of places and people who don’t have clean water, even in my own country.
Today, I took a long look at my socks. My sister knit them for me and they’re warm and comfy for these January days. Besides that, they’re beautifully designed with different shades of blue. I’m not a knitter so I marvel at the time and care that went into making them. I sent her a picture and text to say how much I appreciate them.
I like how your marvel took you to sending your sister a photo and thank you text! Doing something for others can be a positive outcome of the attention or quality of seeing, and feeling fortunate about the clean water. I take so much for granted, paying attention, seeing more, and slowing down can increase gratitude and joy.
Earlier this week I read about the book ‘Our World,’ and Mary Oliver’s relationship with her partner, photographer Mary Malone Cook. Oliver, known for her keen sense of observation, realizes there is more to observation than reportage:
“It has frequently been remarked, about my own writings, that I emphasize the notion of attention. This began simply enough: to see that the way the flicker flies is greatly different from the way the swallow plays in the golden air of summer. It was my pleasure to notice such things, it was a good first step. But later, watching M. when she was taking photographs, and watching her in the darkroom, and no less watching the intensity and openness with which she dealt with friends, and strangers too, taught me what real attention is about. Attention without feeling, I began to learn, is only a report. An openness — an empathy — was necessary if the attention was to matter.”
That last sentence is an epiphany for me; that attention isn’t just reportage; it’s deeper and thus can be more fulfilling if you’re open to it. Remarkable.
I am uncertain if this is the right place to post for what is the quality of your gaze, This is a test. Please confirm or redirect me Kim. I was able to post for prior ones, but want to post for this week. Thank you very much. Sharana
Connecting with my view. I’ve lived here 8 years on the 12th floor overlooking the mighty Fraser River. Across the River are the Surrey Docks where new cars are unloaded from huge cargo ships. I gave this view 15 minutes, which turned into 20. I was shocked at how much activity takes place on the dock. It was dusk, forklift trucks were lit like Christmas trees scurrying back & forth. Crashing and clanging of metal, ships lights, spotlights and occasional voices. I’m so surprised at all this when as I say for 8 years, this activity passed me by. In the foreground were tug boats working the river at night with their red and green lights showing off their length. I didn’t realize they worked at night. All this in 20 minutes on Sunday evening, now when I look across I see more, more life. On my long morning walks I’m still carrying the listen lesson, adding the seeing lesson has made my walks so much more enjoyable, I see & hear so much more. Makes me ask where have I been? As I sit in the sun and write this I hear so many sounds; birds, trains, skytrain, garbage truck back up beeps, rake sweeping the sidewalk from leaves, light car toots, smells of fresh clean air, a human voice, a dogs bark and still those crows chattering constantly in the background. Thanks Kim and we’re only on week 3
“I see more, more life.” Loved this description of the activity outside your window, Lois. It made me feel as if I were there. Great question too. “Where have I been?”
Open focused attention is what I practice on my daily hikes, moving from sight to hearing to smell; moving in for a close look and then letting myself be a small part of the larger environment. In meditation, it is called "choiceless awareness" where I'm open to everything that is happening. I like the phrase "receptive participant."
I appreciate the: seeing with eyes of love or compassion or empathy, we rather than me mentality,sees with the heart, immersed in the moment, self forgeting is the essence of first hand experience, different degrees of attention. curiosity rather than judgement, encounter, immersed in the moment/relationship, like deep listening without judgement is the highest form of love. These are the qualities of the Long look. It is important to know when I use what degree of attention. Inspirations from the Long Look: Flow, Unconditional Love, Unconditional Forgiveness, Contemplative Photography, Awareness/Attention, Seeing/experiencing the wholeness, Wisdom to know the difference, Making a difference.
We are back in lockdown here in Ontario, so my days are pretty much like the movie Groundhog Day, very much the same and confined to home and neighbourhood. So, I’ve been practicing paying more attention to the little things I do every day and take for granted.
Drinking water is one. I’ve been trying to remember to drink a full glass before every meal, noticing how good it tastes and how it makes my body feel better almost immediately. I’m lucky to have clean water to drink and it makes me think of places and people who don’t have clean water, even in my own country.
Today, I took a long look at my socks. My sister knit them for me and they’re warm and comfy for these January days. Besides that, they’re beautifully designed with different shades of blue. I’m not a knitter so I marvel at the time and care that went into making them. I sent her a picture and text to say how much I appreciate them.
I like how your marvel took you to sending your sister a photo and thank you text! Doing something for others can be a positive outcome of the attention or quality of seeing, and feeling fortunate about the clean water. I take so much for granted, paying attention, seeing more, and slowing down can increase gratitude and joy.
Earlier this week I read about the book ‘Our World,’ and Mary Oliver’s relationship with her partner, photographer Mary Malone Cook. Oliver, known for her keen sense of observation, realizes there is more to observation than reportage:
“It has frequently been remarked, about my own writings, that I emphasize the notion of attention. This began simply enough: to see that the way the flicker flies is greatly different from the way the swallow plays in the golden air of summer. It was my pleasure to notice such things, it was a good first step. But later, watching M. when she was taking photographs, and watching her in the darkroom, and no less watching the intensity and openness with which she dealt with friends, and strangers too, taught me what real attention is about. Attention without feeling, I began to learn, is only a report. An openness — an empathy — was necessary if the attention was to matter.”
That last sentence is an epiphany for me; that attention isn’t just reportage; it’s deeper and thus can be more fulfilling if you’re open to it. Remarkable.
I am uncertain if this is the right place to post for what is the quality of your gaze, This is a test. Please confirm or redirect me Kim. I was able to post for prior ones, but want to post for this week. Thank you very much. Sharana
Yes this is the place to share how you experienced the practice of the long look.
THANKS!!
Connecting with my view. I’ve lived here 8 years on the 12th floor overlooking the mighty Fraser River. Across the River are the Surrey Docks where new cars are unloaded from huge cargo ships. I gave this view 15 minutes, which turned into 20. I was shocked at how much activity takes place on the dock. It was dusk, forklift trucks were lit like Christmas trees scurrying back & forth. Crashing and clanging of metal, ships lights, spotlights and occasional voices. I’m so surprised at all this when as I say for 8 years, this activity passed me by. In the foreground were tug boats working the river at night with their red and green lights showing off their length. I didn’t realize they worked at night. All this in 20 minutes on Sunday evening, now when I look across I see more, more life. On my long morning walks I’m still carrying the listen lesson, adding the seeing lesson has made my walks so much more enjoyable, I see & hear so much more. Makes me ask where have I been? As I sit in the sun and write this I hear so many sounds; birds, trains, skytrain, garbage truck back up beeps, rake sweeping the sidewalk from leaves, light car toots, smells of fresh clean air, a human voice, a dogs bark and still those crows chattering constantly in the background. Thanks Kim and we’re only on week 3
“I see more, more life.” Loved this description of the activity outside your window, Lois. It made me feel as if I were there. Great question too. “Where have I been?”
Open focused attention is what I practice on my daily hikes, moving from sight to hearing to smell; moving in for a close look and then letting myself be a small part of the larger environment. In meditation, it is called "choiceless awareness" where I'm open to everything that is happening. I like the phrase "receptive participant."
Daily walks are a great time to practice. Yes, it’s very much like choiceless awareness, yet not forgetting that you are also a participant.
I appreciate the: seeing with eyes of love or compassion or empathy, we rather than me mentality,sees with the heart, immersed in the moment, self forgeting is the essence of first hand experience, different degrees of attention. curiosity rather than judgement, encounter, immersed in the moment/relationship, like deep listening without judgement is the highest form of love. These are the qualities of the Long look. It is important to know when I use what degree of attention. Inspirations from the Long Look: Flow, Unconditional Love, Unconditional Forgiveness, Contemplative Photography, Awareness/Attention, Seeing/experiencing the wholeness, Wisdom to know the difference, Making a difference.