I was deeply touched by something that Ann Emerson wrote this AM at Into the Bardo. It was just a few words of one line of her poem “Keeping Watch.” The words are: “may our gratitude for another new day be unprecedented and contagious.”
I have always been inspired by doors or entryways … places that people pass through. For me a doorway is a metaphor. Perhaps one enters as one person and comes out on the other side as a different person, even a new person. Following are photos of entryways encountered in China. When I look at them I think about all of those who have passed through these doors before me. I think of the sadness or happiness the “passers through” had known. I think of ritual.
Ritual can be a healing practice, it can be public or private, large or small. Perhaps with each passage that I make through a doorway I can practice gratitude. I notice of late that I do not practice enough gratitude. I have so much to be thankful for. I believe that this is a good idea.
These photos were taken in Beijing, Xian, the Great Wall and The French Concession (of Shanghai) in 2006.
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This post particularly interests me because doors are an important symbol for me. I often see them as metaphors in dreams or while meditating. Beautiful pictures, too!
Liz, I appreciate your thoughts about the value of doorways, when viewing life itself. Rather like pathways and in my own case, I attach a lot of importance to trees which have in their own, silent way, will have witnessed much…Thank you for sharing those beautiful images.Best Wishes,Eileen
I have a friend in Beijing. I really love these pics – I'm getting a vision of China.
Judith thank you for your kind words. I have a number of "door" series. My most colorful from Peru. I think that you are right. They are an important symbol … one that is relatively easy for many to relate to.
Hi Eileen … so good to see you! So good. I am with you about trees! I actually used to go out during my lunch hour and run negative energy thru a tree into the ground. I kind of stopped … I am going to begin again and I invite you to do so. We put upon Sundays Sunday Trees. Just a photo of a tree we love and maybe write about it. Isabel of "Living In Exile" started doing this. She has not been around for several months. I am worried about her. Becca of On Dragon Fly Wings and Butter Cup Tea does it to.
Hi Ollie … Beijing was in credible … well so were the other places. Thank you. I hope that you get to visit your friend in Beijing.
LIZ!!!!!! I am SO HAPPY to see Crowsfete back. I am rushing, today has been hectic, but tomorrow morning will be back to properly savor these offerings. I yearn for the Great Wall. LOVE what you say about using passing through doors as moments of gratitude…….COOL!I will be back.
I agree about the symbolism of doorways and passageways. These are such lovely pictures, and your header is divine!
I am back, enjoying these wonderful photos once again. Still digging portals being opportunities for gratitude. I always feel so grateful coming into my little cozy space………….