Pathscrossing News

Realizing True Heart

I’ve been taking a Japanese calligraphy class since October 2008, studying under Fujii Sensei ((Mr. Fujii, my Teacher). It is the same class that my great aunt, Lillian Sakurai, was taking for many years, until passing this March 2009 at the age of 101. Many years ago when she was healthy, I talked about taking the class with her.  Then again, maybe it happened at the right time.

Around the beginning of August, Fujii Sensei gave me the “true heart” kanji for my homework. In each class, Fujii Sensei would write the calligraphy on the rice paper, and I would take it home to practice until I felt that I had as accurately as possible represented his brushstrokes.

When I brought my homework to him the following week, he would examine it, give me feedback and in this case, he asked me to do it again.

Again, I would take his original calligraphy, and the sheets where he gave me corrections, to again practice until I had represented the brushstrokes better.

The next week, he looked at my homework again, and again he gave me more corrections, and another kanji to practice, too. He also asked me to bring in large sheets of paper, the scroll sheets that are about 46 inches long, and the larger brush for my next class.

The following Tuesday, I showed him my homework, and he gave me a new calligraphy on smaller sheets, and also did the “true heart” kanji on the large scroll sheets. Inside I was very excited because I knew that this was a big step for me. To be allowed to begin practicing on larger scrolls and to use a different brush, one that would be more difficult to control (which is exactly the type of experience that I thrive on).

I brought in my homework the next Tuesday, including my scroll sheets. In class, Fujii Sense examines homework on smaller sheets with each student, then gives homework on scrolls to the entire class, and then he examines the scrolls that everyone has done, and chooses one for your signature to be returned to him. When he looked at mine, he choose one that he thought was good.

My calligraphy practice is part of my zen practice, as is most everything else, when I’m being mindful. Maybe I needed to keep practicing “true heart,” because I needed to more deeply understand that for myself. You see, the final calligraphy that he accepted happened the weekend after I realized my interest to provide end of life care. Maybe the calligraphy reflected that I had finally arrived at my own “true heart.”

Art for the price of the "what feels right"

When was the last time you were able to buy an original piece of part for a price that felt right to you? Well, that's what happened on Saturday, June 27. 23 people each walked away with one or more of my original paintings for a price that they felt was right to them. It was a chance for me to find homes for my paintings, a chance to share a little art and beauty because it feels right, without cost being a barrier! I even had a 10 year old girl and her 5 year old brother buy one with their own money. After I sold that painting, I thought it was already a wonderful night, but the buyers kept coming and the paintings kept going. I took 37 paintings to the rooftop venue, sponsored by me and my partner with our friends Kevin Gallardo and Kole Welsh, and came home with eight. I'm still riding the high with armfuls of gratitude to everyone who came to the event, and especially to every person who took my art home with them, feeling connected to each one of them just knowing that maybe they are looking at one of my paintings right now.

 

Launching The Art of Illumination

One of my dream ideas is launching today! Today!

For maybe the past three years, whenever I sat down to write what my heart really wanted, I found myself writing about a place where adults come to play, using theater, visual art, storytelling, and movement to impact a personal or professional challenge or opportunity. The result of that dream writing now has a name, it is called The Art of Illumination.

heARTwork

In Products and  Events you'll see the body of paintings that I've been working on for the past year. As a result of some very moving experiences that I'm having, as a buyer, you have the option of donating 50% of the proceeds from these paintings to an important social cause. (Please note that before December 9, 2007 that I originally wanted to donate 100% of the proceeds. I have changed from 100% to 50% because of some valuable advice that I received.) Some of the causes that I recommend considering are listed below. If you are interested in any of the paintings, please contact mark@pathscrossing.com.

1) To help raise awareness of the water crisis, as I experienced in the movie "Running Dry." The purchase of my painting will go towards the organization Running Dry to The Chronicles Group to provide sustainable water to millions of global families. You see, in the movie, I learned about the startling fact that one child dies every 15 seconds from a water infectious disease. In addition, I learned how so many countries, including the U.S. are impacted by the lack of clean water. (posted 10/29/07)

2) To help promote peace, as I experienced by helping to setup the "Eyes Wide Open" exhibit at the October 27 march and rally to end the war. The purchase of my painting will go towards an emerging organization that will promote the travel of this exhibit within the state of Washington. On Saturday, October 27, I volunteered to set-up the exhibit, almost 200 shoes of soldiers in Oregon and Washington who had lost their lives. The names, photos, and letters that were attached to each pair of boots moved me and so many hundreds of others to feel the loss. The exhibit reaches our hearts in ways that the news and media are unable. If you are from outside the state of Washington, the purchase of my painting could also go towards your state's American Friends Service Committee to bring it to your state. (posted 10/27/07)

3) To raise awareness of the Deep Hope Institute's mission and agenda to renew and attract individuals to the call of social activism. This is an organization that I am personally involved in with Bill Grace, former Executive Director of the Center for Ethical Leadership. The Institute currently promotes a Fellowship program (a series of four, three-day events, of immersion and discovery that bridge leadership, spirituality and community), a social action think tank (specifically focused social activism effort), and a sojourn (cultural immersion that seeks wisdom at the margins). (posted 10/27/07)