Why, oh why?
… do I do what I do, walk in nature, photograph insects, teach relaxation/meditation and macro. For peace of mind is the short answer, I enjoy it.
Relaxation/meditation is the basis for actualising my potential, otherwise I am not doing my best. And if I don’t give of my best, one way or another, I lose it. It’s that simple.
To be in nature, which requires a certain love of nature, where there is nothing man made and where I have something to do that I enjoy, looking – seeing – hearing – smelling – ‘sensing’, is freedom from the world of stress and strain – the mind. Though it’s not ‘for’ anything but being (in) nature, my nature.
Insects are our cousins and are closer in nature to us than the flowers and minerals and so reflect our own nature more closely, and without the complication of emotion. This living reflection is intriguing to observe, since it is my own nature uncomplicated. The flowers are reflective of a deeper nature, a more origional nature.
Many who do it regard macro photography as an expression of the predator civilised, a hunt, and it is, for the hunter. But rather than a hunt I would call it a prayer, not in any ‘religious’ sense but in the sense that to be in nature and capture the image of the more exotic and beautiful creatures requires an increasing knowledge of self, since what they do and how they do it is invariably understandable in terms of self, and a corresponding absence of the ‘human’ in human nature – that incessant naming and emotional consideration that is considered ‘normal’ in our mad world and sets us apart and often against the beings and ways of the earth. The perfect fruit of this way is being, (in) my beautiful nature – because nature is beautiful.
It is a simple way of communing with the god made, and an effective methodical, or instinctive, means of leaving the man made out of it. Methodical means it can be learned. Instinctive means you already know it but may have forgotten it, by covering it over with what complicates.
It, being – nature, is the only real religion, really. :D
Mark Berkery ……. Click any picture and click again to enlarge
Nature's Place 
In my effort to give a sense to my life, the last ten are so though to me, your work and words are my inspiration: It, being – nature, is the only real religion: It’s so good to me to read this words. The only thing that keep me alive in though times is bird’s song that I heard each morning. And each of little resiliant flower that reborn at spring… The deep connection with each living creature is so vital for me, in this world of non sens, competition and speed. Thank Mark and excuse my english (I’m better to express my feelings in french ;). Greetings from Canada.
Thanks Nadia. The sense of nature, sight, smell, touch, sound, taste and their corresponding inner sense-s have their basis in the simple sensation of the body – a tingling or pressure or … It is the anchor against the movement of mind that is the only misery on earth. Hold to the anchor when you need it, and what you do in the easy times makes it easier to do it in the hard times – see Meditate
All the best. M
A prayer indeed!
Indeed, a prayer. ((:
“For peace of mind..”..yeahhhh..that’s true Mark..your both work and effort are greats
Hello Jamiun Michael. In the end it’s all that really matters, peace of mind – because then anything that can disturb it has been mastered – with a lot of work and a little luck. ((:
I love the first shot especially–the color and the fuzzy tip of the flower, the angle of the bug–so nice
Thanks TPP. It is lovely. This is a wild crocus in the front lawn where I sometimes grow ‘weeds’ for the creatures – and a flower shows – shot at night under a starry sky.