Vibrant

“Vibrant”  |  Anthony Satori

” ‘Just living is not enough,’  said the butterfly,  ‘One must have sunshine, freedom and a little flower.’ ” 

— Hans Christian Anderson

While recently walking near water, I came upon a shiny, dark-leafed flower.  The sunlight reflected off its surfaces beautifully, playing boldly with the reflectivity of its robust petals, softly enhancing the remarkable natural coloring of its bloom.  The plant seemed to be almost consciously trying to show me that there was light emanating from deep within its heart.  This was nature using color and texture to express a true inner vibrancy, presenting an expression of pure illumination before my very eyes.  Moments later, the sun shifted.  The colors became more subtle, more subdued.  But not before I managed to immortalize the inner sparkle of this flower, in this moment, in all its wonder.

Serenity

“Serenity”  |  Anthony Satori

“Words exist because of meaning.  Once you’ve gotten the meaning, you can forget the words.  Where can I find someone who has forgotten words?  This is who I wish to speak with.”  — Chuang Tzu

When someone tunes out the noise of the outer world, allows their thoughts to become still and calm, and immerses themselves in the experience of a work of art, they are speaking with someone who has “forgotten” words.  This is because art exists in a mode that goes beyond mere language, reaching directly into the realm of pure meaning.

Girl by a Fireside

“Girl by a Fireside”  |  Anthony Satori

“Ah, life is a gate, a way, a path to Paradise anyway, why not live for fun and joy and love or some sort of girl by a fireside, why not go to your desire and LAUGH?”

— Jack Kerouac

Sea of Humanity

“Sea of Humanity”  |  Anthony Satori

“A breaking up of foam and of quicksand, / a rustling of salt withdrawing, / the grey cry of sea-birds on the coast.”

— Pablo Neruda

Horse Soul

“Horse Soul”  |  Anthony Satori

“I see something of God each hour of the twenty-four, and each moment then.”

— Walt Whitman

Through the Looking Glass

“Through the Looking Glass”  |  Anthony Satori

A splash of water on a concrete surface reveals a glimpse into an entire world beyond.  If only we were to realize that this finite physical world consists of countless potential gateways to an infinite, transcendent reality, our eyes would be opened to wonders beyond belief.

The Eternal Hush of Silence

“The Eternal Hush of Silence”  |  Anthony Satori

“Listen closely… the eternal hush of silence goes on and on throughout all of this… this is because the world is nothing but a dream.”

— Jack Kerouac

Dropping In

“Dropping In”  |  Anthony Satori

In skate and surf culture, there is something called the “drop in.”  It is when you go directly up to the edge of a half-pipe (or wave), stand on your board, lean your entire body out over the abyss, and then just drop, letting gravity pull you into the slope with full momentum.  It is fast and sudden, and you hit maximum speed almost immediately.  While it might seem dangerous, perhaps even reckless, it is actually one of the most stable ways to start a ride, because a large amount of the stability in skateboarding and surfing comes from forward motion.  Plus, when you drop in, there is no chance for hesitation.  There is no half-way.  It is full focus and full commitment.  Suddenly, all of your decisions become simplified: all that matters is making the most of your ride.

So the next time you are presented with a challenge, an opportunity, or even just the chance to have a new experience… yes, do your homework, make your preparations, and learn all that you can about how you want to proceed… but then, as soon as you’ve done these things, don’t be afraid to simply drop in.  Feel the wind against your face, feel the momentum of gravity pulling you along, feel the exhilaration that comes from unhesitant, unequivocal forward motion.  This is your ride… make the most of it!

On the Water

“On the Water”  |  Anthony Satori

“We have forgotten the age-old fact that God speaks chiefly through dreams and visions.”

— C. G. Jung