Practice Emptiness

Standing in the place between what you know and what you can learn can be a kind of emptiness. To stay open and not-knowing is to

Practice Emptiness

which can be enlightening and humbling.

I am meeting with the Minnetonka Art Center adult programming coordinator next week to discuss teaching one or more photography classes and/or workshops at the Minnetonka Center for the Arts. Part of me is lit up and excited and another part is full of questions and doubts.

I make photographs for the love of making them and no longer care about running a photography business or making money from my work. So why would I want to teach a photography class? Still there is something in me, some spark that is looking expand and grow in a new way.

The fall catalog for the art center arrived in the mail last week. The catalog had an invitation to artists who were thinking of teaching to contact the art center with their ideas. It felt like a light bulb went on when I read that. I picked up the catalog multiple times, then put it down. Why would I want to tie myself to a schedule and all the work of preparing to teach. Who do I think I am anyway to think that I might have something to teach? Those and more questions swirled through my mind. I said an emphatic, “No,” to myself and went out for a walk.

Keeping An Open Mind

A voice in mind kept popping up in quiet times, “This can be a gift to myself and to those who come to the classes, sharing my love for photography and encouraging others on their photographic journey.” Finally, I heeded the voice and sent an email to the adult programming coordinator. I was delighted and surprised to get a reply early the next morning indicating that he was interested in talking with me.

So now, I am holding space for whatever comes from the meeting. Perhaps I’ll be teaching a class this fall or perhaps not. I may work on developing a workshop for the art center’s winter catalog or maybe not.

The stream of creativity widens through a relaxed, fluid body, a receptive mind that kindles curiosity, and an attentive presence. A quiet mind is an empty space that enfolds a beautiful silence through which new ideas may found and fresh impressions may be received. Artists and photographers often view holding a question as the ideal work state. They work from not-knowing, from humility and inquiry, without knowing exactly what they may find through the creative process…

   — David Ulrich, Zen Camera

I sit with the question, “What if?” And I allow space between what I know now and what I can learn. The exercise of staying open and not-knowing will be my practice as I explore these new ideas with attention and care.

May you walk in beauty.

Note: Photos are ones I made with my phone camera this morning on my walk. I experimented with various added textures and Photoshop Blend Modes.