Blog Archives - Lewie JPD

stretch of the imagination

31/5/2013

I do my exercises ever day. For my body; yoga, stretching, a walk and a swim in the ocean. For my creative mind; four to six new artworks. For my spirit; meditations on that for which I am thankful and contemplations on the nature of being.

I do not do internet dating.

Have you heard of cronuts? They're a cross between a donut and a croissant - with custard filling.
Since reading about them on the net and seeing a picture of them, I have thought about them a few times. They are only available in one place in NYC at the moment but are slated to become a culinary craze. I hope so. I look forward to trying one. Mmmm.

Lots of things we think we want or need, once we get them we realise we don't. It's happened to me a few times this year. I don't think this would be the case with cronuts. I hope to put it to the test before too long.

Donuts are great because they go round and round. And what's with the hole in the middle? It's there to contemplate. Therefore, donuts are a thinking man's food.

Tell me you don't want one right now.

pond-er-er

30/5/2013

Sometimes beauty finds you.

yaqui not yucky

29/5/2013

Carlos Castaneda's book, 'The teachings of Don Juan', had a monumental influence on my life thoughts when I read it at age 20. It is a deeply spiritual story of encounters with a richly magical shaman/wiseman/master and learning about the connections between the known world and the powerful, nebulous unknown realms of nonordinary realities. I relished reading this book and the two subsequent, connected follow ups and really go a lot from them.

I came across Peaceful Warrior by Dan Millman about a decade later and was uplifted and influenced by it also. It is a story, again, of a young man seeking wisdom who encounters and learns from an older mentor about the spiritual journey.

To my delight, in my early 40's when I was in LA, I happened to be walking past a book shop on Melrose Ave and saw a sign that said free talk by Dan Millman. Of course, I attended it and listened to and met the author. He was extremely balanced (did a handstand on his desk from standing start at beginning of talk) and impressively focused and lucid.

the universe and other places

29/5/2013

Where do you go when you are alone in your head?
What flavours of living do you enjoy the most?
Are you sometimes aware of the separation of your body and your soul?
When you dream are you more present, more engaged than in your waking life?

Beyond surface living, we all have massive, complex realms of existence. We don't talk about these things often, if at all. They are subtle and profound - unique to each of us... our individual perception mixed with our innate predilections creates a spectrum so immense it is immeasurable and beyond definition. Still, we all experience it - all the time.

Mostly, we kind of ignore it al - otherwise we may become overwhelmed. Sometimes though, we can tune in to certain elements and become hyper aware.

There is no need for drugs. We are drugs. Chemicals, molecules, electrons.... we are a living cornucopia of impulses, membranes, mass, volume, fluids and bone. We are totally beyond our own comprehension!

And still, we exist. And we try. We try to come to terms with our individual tenures here on this blue ball in space.

Am I freaking out? Not anymore. But I used to. I've been around for over five decades now - so I'm through the initial stages. Dues have been paid, experiences experienced, time served. I have lived and continue to do so. The only constant is change.

Most of the time I am quietly in awe. Amazed. I am at ease surrounded by fellow human but find solace in solitude as well. I am experiencing the perpetual sensation of being alive and expressing a snippet of my concept of my existence. Doing so pleases me in some small way. Validates, celebrates, cogitates...

Finally, I am beginning to truly feel what I always imagined it would feel to have a life. To habitate an entity of substance and experience. Somehow I have survived long enough to feel I belong. A miracle, really. And I'm happy to be here.

As always, I take it personally.

leap of faith

28/5/2013

Making choices. That's what life is about. Sometimes they are critical ones - under pressure - and will make an obvious and permanent difference in your life. Other times, and mostly, they are smaller choices but in their own way still just as integral and worthy of consideration.

For example - 'Will I get up early and do some excercise?' 'Will I stay home tonight or go out?' 'Shall I get started on that new project?' 'Will I ring that person I like and suggest to meet?' etc etc

All these daily decisions come together to form our life path. There is no right or wrong in most cases. The important thing is to take ownership of your choice - make sure you give yourself the time and thought you are worthy of. Trust your instincts, listen to the whispers of the higher self, stay focused on the bigger goals. Don't stray too far from the path too often, but don't either be too fearful or constrained. A lot of the best things come from a leap of faith. Something new, something challenging, something bold.

One of the reasons I enjoy writing this daily blog is because I make little choices each day - what picture to put up and what to write. Why am I saying this or that? Sometimes it is thought out a little but often it's spontaneous.

I am interested to see what appears and on occasion track my entry tendencies and consider. I have stated in my brief header-manifesto that I want to contribute something of value so that myself and others can learn and enjoy. Sometimes I wonder if perhaps I should be a little more formal or ordered with my posting. But, nah, this is not my style. This is not how I live. I enjoy creating in the moment - letting loose and allowing nature to take it's course. From a creator's point of view it's much more exciting and, although the results vary widely, it is more fulfilling. Suits my style. It's how I live, too. No plans, take it as it comes, live in the day.

One thing I have been thinking lately is that I need to be honest and also try and hone in on what is the true essence of the message I am trying to uncover. We learn and grow from understanding - insights come from courage to uncover and disclose then contemplate, comment and consider.

Of course, my aim is to contribute something of substance and value. I appreciate my life and am grateful to be able to live the life of an artist and free spirit. It's a tough world and it isn't easy for anybody. It's sharing with each other - in whatever form comes naturally - that offers us salvation and relief. We all suffer, all do it hard at times but somehow, we can ease our pain, dissipate it, through sharing; thoughts, activities, food, kindness, laughter, love...

This is one way I share. Through my art and through my words. It's not from ego. It's not for me. It's for everyone. From the heart and mind of an ordinary man. Trying to find his way. Trying to be true.

sage poet's advice

27/5/2013

“Get in, get out.
Don't linger.
Go on.”

Raymond Carver

idea central

26/5/2013

A man’s felicity consists not in the outward and visible blessing of fortune, but in the inward and unseen perfections and riches of the mind.

Anacharsis

if i were a moguldog

26/5/2013

If I were a moguldog
After a hard day of fucking and howling
I'd sit back with a cigar
Wind in my dog hair
Suit on my back
And contemplate the important things
Like food and more fucking

lovely and unexpected

24/5/2013

With valour, honour and integrity we can focus on what is important, integral to our inner selves. Truth within; searching for personal meaning and creating lives that are worthy of our higher selves.

Like spiritual Vikings we can reclaim and conquer our inner domains, shed off the bullshit that surrounds and inhabits us, and rise up to dance in the flames of victorious enlightenment.

How are we to do this?

By acknowledging what is truly important: love, thoughtfulness, kindness and service. Think it, do it, be it.

Lots of fluff out there, lots of BS to cut through, lots of wasteful, meaningless sentiments and behaviour. Change begins from within. Now is the time to begin our transcendence.

Ready? OK. One more quick coffee...

magic touch

24/5/2013

You see, we try and keep it together in order not to loose control. It's natural. We want to let go but we can't quite do it yet.

It's enough, it seems, to get up each day and continue along on the trajectory we are already on.

But wait a minute.

Don't we also hunger for something more? Are we not accepting less than we desire, perhaps even deserve?

Why?

We are closer than we realise to breaking through. We are not quite almost there - but - but - heading in the right direction at least. Kinda. Mostly.

Perhaps it is good that it's slow in coming. It'll help us be ready when it does. Not too long to go. Not long now.

Maybe we should be in no rush. We should savour it. Maybe on some level we know that already - and we are doing exactly what we should be. Taking it as it comes.

And why not. Let's keep doing that. All good. Carry on.

Everything in it's time. We'll know when to let it go, let it come, let it be the biggest beautiful. We'll know when the time is right. Yep.

We'll know.

solitary pursuit

23/5/2013

EDWARD HOPPER was an illustrator and painter from NY in the mid 1900s who was somewhat reclusive. He loved making images - sketches, watercolours and oils on canvas - and used them as his means of communication and expression.

His ability to capture true human feeling and the intimate, simple reflections of daily life are moving and profound.

i used to write poems

23/5/2013

I used to write poems
almost
everyday somethings
would flow

Like little giants
whispering
giggling, too

I can almost hear them now
(It doesn't take much
to set them off)

A few lines will do it
(Same w some friends
of mine ha ha)

There is a quality
somewhat magical
Lyrical & Mystical

Supertramp will tell you
And Carver, Plath
That other guy, too
Who mumbles

Just like the Buddhist
likes his silence
for a reason
untold

sir real

22/5/2013

My favourite group of artists when I was a kid growing up was the surrealists.

I distinctly remember seeing Dali's painting (below) in a book when I was nine years old in the library at the Bush School in Wahroonga and being blown away. It was the first time an image had actually drawn me in and played with my mind. Until then I had never seen an image like it. It was a powerful experience.

Dali could be over-intense sometimes. In later years, I read and loved his Autobiography of a Genius. What a dude! As a kid one morning he poured his entire bowl of breakfast cereal down the front of his shirt. When his mum asked him why, he explained, "I eat it every morning, I just wanted one time to feel it running down my body..."

Painting wise, I became more fond of Magritte, who's style was more clean and stylised - with a explorational playfulness that I enjoyed.

Both these guys really seemed to enjoy making their art and that is important to me.

Your art is a reflection of your perception of yourself and the world.

escape from nowhere

22/5/2013

If you could get away - to anywhere - where would you go? Who would you take with you? What would you be willing to give up, to risk, to get there?

We all need to escape something, sometime. But just running is not enough. We need a plan. Escape is not easy. If we can find them, we need confederates. If we are lucky, and we have prepared, when the time is right, we can break free.

And freedom is sweet. If you have ever tasted it, you know this. Do you want it enough?

This, you must decide.

all starts with a scribble

21/5/2013

Freshly published interview from the scribble town blog.
(Click image to visit the site and view full artictle.)