Reflect the Moon on a Calm Lake: HALA

"I am the reflection of the moon on the lake, if you see me trying to be good then you see yourself."

Dalai Lama

Kundun

A new batch of brave souls are going to stay in the Temple for three to four months for Philippine Fo Guang Shan's Humanistic Academy of Life and Arts 佛光山菲鲁宾人间学院.
It takes a lot of courage to submit oneself to a temple stay that would last for three months without any inclination of what is going to happen and how it's going to begin and end. I know I had my doubts especially on the day I came to the temple on a stormy weather and as I tread on almost two feet of flood riding my bike carrying an 8 kilo backpack while holding an umbrella, the wind blew hard, and my clothes were wet. I could barely see the road and hoped that I wouldn't end up in a huge pot hole and injure myself.

However, I was determined to go through it and I didn't allow any storm to hold me back. To my other classmates, they had to cross continents and mull over the fact that they are going to live in a developing country to find enlightenment, gain new experiences, shave their heads (If you feel the need to shave your head, it's okay. It's your practice. But it will not make you a monk and the nuns will remind you of that if ever you did, it also doesn't guarantee enlightenment. It's a warm country, you need the extra breeze to cool the head.)

There is humility in joining these sort of programs as one has to admit and be willing to learn new things, new culture, meet strangers, and other unexpected things. 

This is not for cowards who are afraid to leave their current world for something they don't understand, nor is it a walk in the park, and it can be considered a 'leap of faith' but I prefer "jumping into the abyss" a completely secluded world I barely knew existed in my mother land. But there it was, I found it and I made a choice.

For the new HALA students who are excited or anxious or whatever emotion they are going through about the program, it is an experience that has various results to different people. I'm not going to say that it's beautiful or ugly, or worth it or not, nor would I say that it's good or bad. Despite being in a group, it is still a very personal experience. It is exactly how one choose to see it, how one choose to experience it.

It is exactly as it is. The definitions, emotions, learning, are merely relative to a person.

It is as life changing as one would allow it. As meaningful as one wants it to be. 

But there is one thing that is sure, water is now offered to the one who thirst. 

It is now a matter of choosing to drink it whether it's in a bowl or a glass or a mug or in a container that we like or we don't like.

In the end the essence is the same. The opportunity is here to acquire it and make use of the time given efficiently. Because the answer to the question is always right in front of us. It is always within reach.

It is always a matter of choice. Choose.

Blanko: Why is art expensive?

Blank Book : Collision of Petals
2014
Veronica Laurel Book Art

I sold my books at Art In the Park last March, it was one of my favorite events because there are just so many things to look at but I'm rarely a buyer of art. A friend of mine marveled more on the price tag and less on the actual artwork.

"Why is art expensive?" she asked, it seems that it's something that bothered her and as a writer, letters and words aren't as valued as actual artworks when in essence they are both under the category of art, only with different mediums and discipline.

My Blanko Collection (Blank Books) got sold quite early so by midday, I barely have anything on display.

Centuries ago, art boomed in Europe especially for the Bourgeoisie who must always keep their status afloat. One way of keeping up with the social elites is to purchase art, along with purchasing a customized furniture set from the most famous carpenter. This is where the likes of Chippendale came in, providing special and superb skill in creating furniture. Art has always been a symbol of wealth and taste. It is one of the things to be discussed during tea time, art. What have you purchased? From which artist? How much? Etcetera etcetera...

Today, with the variety of available art and also an array of price tags, almost anyone can enjoy purchasing art and decorating their homes with art that they fancy without caring for social standing. There are so many affordable artworks available today because almost every young talented person wants to become an artist, of course the word "artist" have always been subjected to unholy abuse. There are also those who inflate their prices but most artist would follow a standard set of pricing with their works. 

Art is more than just an object and if a person sees the value of a piece of artwork, it doesn't matter how much it would cost. Suddenly the price is blurred and what surfaces would be the message or idea that the artist is portraying, the skill in execution, ingenuity, and its impact on the person.

Art is not expensive, the price tag is merely a reflection. People who have fat wallets, my artworks are probably very inexpensive but for those who toil each day on minimum wage, it may come as a luxury.