Letting Go

“The first half of life is devoted to forming a healthy ego, the second half is going inward and letting go of it.”  ~ Carl Jung

It seems that letting go of things was a central lesson in 2012. It has also been a part of learning as we begin 2013. Something I enjoy about stone balance is that it has a weird way of breaking ego. just when I seem to get ahead of myself, stone balance will remind me to slow down.

This is my first balance of 2013. A freezing day up at woods quarry… but as always, the experience was quiet and relaxing.. A cool part of this photo is that I inadvertently captured downtown Denver in the distant background… It looks like such a peaceful place from way up here… another reminder that perspective can change things quite a bit.

Something I like to incorporate into my balances, from a design perspective, is making the form flow as a whole. Just as with fabric squares in watercolor quilting, I like to fit rocks together in such ways as to become extensions of one another…  so they collectively radiate a certain energy through design. Another important aspect I enjoy is the tension that comes out of pushing limits of my own skill… often a greater challenge will induce more focused meditative states where breathing really becomes center of attention.  Without paying close attention to breath, the small changes in lung inflation are enough to unbalance my efforts as I brace the premature balance. SLOW BREATHING required.

btw, I find Carl Jung to be an incredible genius. His work and perspectives are highly inspirational both artistically and personally. I have also heard from credible sources that Carl Jung was himself interested in the art of Stone Balance and has even written briefly about the practice.  Though, I do not know this for certain… anyone with more insight into this, let me know!