“All beings, however, make delusory distinctions weighing whether somethings is this or that; whether it is a gain or a loss. Bad thoughts come to them, producing a variety of evil actions. They transmigrate within the six states undergoing all kind of suffering and harm, from which they cannot escape during innumerable billions of eons. Seeing this clearly, bodhisattva great ones cultivate sympathy and show great kindness and compassion in the desire to extricate others form suffering. What’s more, they penetrate deeply into all things.” Sutra of Innumerable Meanings
Final print in these colors. Background is metallic purple and the overprint is a dark red/purple almost burgundy. I’ll be printing more in various colors over the next several days.
It has been a hot couple of days lately and while I have done walking meditation every day they have only been half hour walks. The air has been rather thick and breathing is challenged. I do a nebulizer treatment right before heading out to help mitigate things.
This morning I add a short run to my morning walk which meant I chanted faster. I am going to try to do 5 min running for every 1/3 mile at first. Then I hope to increase it to 10 min. Slow but steady increases, no rush.
The past two days I added a 15 min walking meditation around the neighborhood along the same route I used to walk my dog twice a day. It is bitter sweet to walk this route, many memories. Neighbors who haven’t seen me as much lately all ask about Otera, and I have to tell them she has died. Another sadness.
Here is a video showing one of two special prints I did and dusted with gold powder to give it a shiny golden look. I may do more and also in different colors; we shall see.
Tanabata Star Festival
Here is a test print of a block I carved today to celebrate Tanabata Star Festival. It celebrates the meeting of the deities Orihime and Hikoboshi (represented by the stars Vega and Altair respectively). According to legend, the Milky Way separates these lovers, and they are allowed to meet only once a year on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month of the lunisolar calendar. The date of Tanabata varies by region of the country, but the first festivities begin on 7 July of the Gregorian calendar. The celebration is held at various days between July and August.
