This week I was so privileged to see the Dalai Lama and hear him speak not once but twice in one day. He was truly inspiring and his message of compassion and humanity is delivered in a humble, down to earth, and honest way that resonates with everyone he meets. The positive effect of his presence is undeniable.
December 9, 2009
November 24, 2009
Blue
Blue is special - blue planet, blue ocean, blue sky - blue is clear, happy and transcendent. From the earth comes lapiz, turqouise, aquamarine. Intense blue tiles on the mosques of Isfahan,
the blue painted houses of the Greek isles, the blue doors and window trims of adobe houses in Taos, New Mexico, the palest birds egg blue of a porcelain cup, the blue of travel. Blue is everywhere; royal blue, duck egg blue, sky blue, marine blue, airforce blue, sea blue, midnight blue, cerulean blue.
My Chinese horoscope and Fengshui chart for 2009 predicted that pale blue is THE colour for me this year. To enhance my water element and give me insight, foresight and to arouse feelings of harmony and friendship. So I pulled out a, never worn, aquamarine ring given to me by a friend many years ago. The ring from Mexico has a strange silver acanthus leaf setting which I always thought unappealing. Now, with this ring circling the middle finger of my left hand I’m overjoyed everytime I look at it, this is the colour of the water at the edge of a tropical ocean the sand bleached and shifting below. A colour in which to be released and absorbed into the liquid crystal clarity and purity of life. ‘The blues’ where does that come from? Blue is optimistic happy uplifting cool and calm. Fantasies of coral atols and ancient ceramics aaah…
Siva blue: Penang Hill, Malaysia
Tropical blue seas: Moreton Island, Queensland Australia
Persian wall tiles: Victoria and Albert Museum, London
May 12, 2009
Bangkok: Wat Phra Kaew – Temple of the Emerald Buddha
It was a scorching Bangkok afternoon and a visit to the Grand Palace was fraying my nerves and frizzing my hair. Under an oppressive pale sky, streams of tourists and frantic tour guides thronged the ornate complex of mirror-tiled buildings and gargantuan temple guardians.