Monthly Archives June 2008

Miksang Photography

Not familiar with Miksang Photography? Check out the Miksang Society for Contemplative Photography. Miksang is a tibetan word meaning “good eye,” or as I’ve heard others define it, “good seeing.” As such, it is a mindful approach to photography — one connected to the teachings of Chögyam Trungpa, founder of Naropa University, and the Shambhala disposition. Trungpa remains a controversial figure, not because of his teachings per se, but because his own life was pretty conflicted. Still, Miksang Photography is an approach to photography that is contemplative and focuses on spontaneity, on the flash of recognition of the moment when mind and visual perception come together.

I am not a practitioner of Miksang in a formal sense. In other words, I am neither a follower of Tibetan Buddhism, nor have I been trained in Shambhala method. Moreover, I am far more eclectic in my approach to photography and mindfulness (I call myself a Zen Humanist, see my post on that, and friendly to the secular Shambhala thought). But, to the extent that we practice being present, feeling interconnected with what is, in the present moment, and seeing photography as an extension and expression of the flow of being of that moment, then we are could be said to be practicing Miksang.

Miksang is essentially about learning to look deeply. You don’t need to be Buddhist, of any stripe, in order to practice Miksang. Their approach to perception, looking deeply and learning to recognize what is, what is present, and what we might open to when the layers of sedimentation and perceptual clutter and baggage are lifted, is helpful.

Want to deepen your thinking about space, flow of being, perception, etc? Read a bit of Henri Bergson!

What Gear for Contemplative Photography?

Some folks really worry about equipment. I know, because I used to, and to a certain extent, equipment concerns still matter to my work. But, the fact remains that for a mindful approach to life it doesn’t matter what equipment you use. I’ve seen folks take amazingly evocative images that truly connect deeply with the moment… using their cellular phone cameras. You see, being present, being contemplative if you will, can be aided by equipment, but it is ultimately not a function of gear, just like good meditation is ultimately not a result of what Zafu you use.

To be sure, when folks start a sitting practice, posture and comfort matter in helping them stay and realize the importance of awareness of the body. Later in life, or as a result of disability or other conditions, good support is essential (my bones ache so often now, and my knee and back have been giving me trouble so I do vary my sitting now). But, in general those who find a mindfulness practice rewarding quickly realize that sitting (or other contemplative practice) does not have to be “comfortable.” It is just not defined by such concerns. If you are interested in photography as a practice of mindfulness, or in the photographic process as a way to contemplate deeply (defined in your way), whether you use a Canon, Nikon, Leica rangefinder, film, 4×5 format, Hassie, etc. is immaterial. What truly matters is your presence. A tripod helps. How? It can help you take your time, slow down, and look deeply. On the other hand, I’ve seen people put up, take a shot, and take down a tripod so quickly that I am surprised they even saw that at which they aimed their lenses.

So, don’t worry about equipment. Worried that you don’t have a medium format camera, and thus are not focusing manually, and making sure the process is taking you forever… ? The person next to you looks up from their 4×5 camera with a beatific smile after composing for what seems like an hour? Smile. Don’t let those worries be a hindrance to your being in the present moment. Start with presence, the rest becomes part of what is.