"this tree is both delicate and majestic at the same time...having a commanding presence but still being able to blend in with the less noticed background, mingle in, devoid from all the noise of motion and movement elsewhere. she is a splendid duality of being both assertive and meek, both real and transcendent...how could i not fall in love with her light instantly?" ― bodhinku, a splendid duality
i had ventured past this spot so many times in washington park (portland, oregon) on walks my pup the dude, but this shinto garden was always closed off with a gated fence because it was on private access land...then one day, a gentleman was there doing some gardening and i approached him asking him if i could shoot this tree of his...you could see in his eyes and body language that he was very apprehensive of my approach, so i did not pressure him, only gave him my business card and asked him to look at my work, think about it, and give me a response later on whether i could take images of his beautiful japanese maple tree...
he only replied that he would need to ask his parents' permission (out of respect for them) to allow me to photograph the tree, and then he'd let me know the following day...oddly, i saw no parents around, so part of me thinks maybe he was asking his parents who had probably planted this tree years ago and had since passed...but he gave me his word he would respond to my request asap...
the following day, he remained true to his word and called me, he said that he and his parents would be honored for me to shoot the tree, as long as i respected it...so i did that next day in the afternoon, and they got the first print of this image you see here, as my thanks for allowing me the privilege to capture this wonderful soul, such a colorful and delicate japanese maple tree...namaste to them (and also, the gentleman asked me to respect the privacy of the family and did not want their names used in my publications or social media releases)...
btw, this is not that "famous" tree that has been captured close by in the japanese garden in portland by peter lik and thousands of other followers and photographers...and honestly as far as i know, this is a unique composition of a japanese maple tree that quite possibly has never been captured professionally before. this tree is located in one of the private shinto temples located in portland, oregon, and, one that happened to be open on the date (october 3, 2016) i was visiting portland...
and...these japanese maple trees are very delicate, and with being at a northern latitude in portland, oregon they are more susceptible to extreme weather changes...and as such, i have now a little bit of sadness to report...when i revisited here in the spring of 2019, i was saddened to see that frost damage had destroyed all the branches off the right hand side from the main fork at the bottom of the tree trunk...pretty much half of this beautiful tree has now broken away...but my image here is very much a documented record of just how glamorous and beautiful this tree used to be, and will always be beautiful to me no matter what...
"i love trees, i love color, i love magic, i love romance, i love hidden beauty...and i love love love trees"― bodhinku, i love trees
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THE MEANING OF NAMASTE
"namaste is the equivalent of hello, but with an element of respect," writes author and journalist deepak singh...in fact, namaste is not solely a yoga word, according to the spiritual science resource foundation. the word can be broken down: nama means "bow." this gesture is seen as one bows forward with both hands together. holding both hands together closest to the heart chakra indicates the prayer position. moving hands to the center facing the teacher (or yogi) acknowledges and thanks the teacher for the practice.
when a person greets another with the feeling that "i am paying obeisance to the soul in the other," then a ring of spiritual emotion is created within him. namaste creates vibrations to the one receiving the gesture. namaste creates a loop of bliss to pass positive energy on to the one receiving the gesture. heart centers and chakras are said to connect during the divine saying.
"when your mind is fully withdrawn in superconsciousness, it becomes centered in the bliss of the spine," paramahansa yogananda, author of autobiography of a yogi, says. "you are then in your ideational, or causal, body. that is the level of the soul."
namaste is the common greeting in yoga. it is a gesture to send a message of peaceful spirituality to the universe in the hopes of receiving a positive message back. most say namaste as a means to thank the teacher or use as an expression of relief upon the ending of the class. in modern cultures, however, namaste is taken to a new level of meaning. it goes beyond a spiritual chant and a divine greeting. some yogis in india do not utter the word namaste. however, in western cultures, it is very well received as a greeting of endearment...
"in essence, namaste is recognizing we're all equal," says miami-based yogi sara quiriconi. "during the class, we're working hard on figuring out our own ticks, tendencies, and inner work, but as we end the class and before we go on with our day facing the rest of the world doing the 'out work,' the namaste is like a baton pass to take what you've learned on the mat with you off the mat to share."
in india, it is appropriate to use the namaste gesture when greeting colleagues. bring both hands together and center in front of the chest. make a small motion to bow while saying namaste. eyes should be closed, and no objects should be placed in the hands while gesturing. namaste is used to seek forgiveness and is polite to use when accepting wrongdoing.
it's important to create a ring of spiritual connection while saying namaste. the positive energy exuded creates the auric field of positive spiritual power. only say namaste when meant in a positive manner...second, the lack of physical contact is what creates a more positive aura. if contact is made, the chances of passing negativity increase. when a lack of physical contact is made, the chance of negativity minimizes...last but not least, remember to place your fingertips softly together and simply graze the fingertip pattern, shape, and texture....namaste is a thank you to the world created and around us. the "divine in me honors the divine in you" references the spiritual transfer of the word. honor the individual you are is graced by their presence.