Thinking aloud through sketches, words and humour
Koi didn’t visit Monk for over a week. She spent time reflecting on all the conversations over the last few days. Soon, winter arrived and the mornings got even more colder. At the crack of dawn, a expansive blanket of fog stretched sleepily across the lake. At the bank, where Monk sat every day, a... Continue Reading →
Monk knew Koi was back and she was patiently waiting till Monk was ready to speak. “Good morning Koi. I see you are up early today.” “Good morning Monk. Yes I am. I swam here as soon as I woke up.” The lake was silent this morning as the sunrise unraveled itself. There was no... Continue Reading →
The sun cast long shadows and began its goodbyes by kissing the lake golden. A lazy mist floated upon the water, as Koi made her way back to the banks. She could see the Monk bathed in the shimmering hues of the evening sun. His face was glowing with an ethereal aura. Koi hesitated and... Continue Reading →
It was still raining heavily that morning, when Koi returned to the Monk. This time, she was sure the Monk would still be there. All the other fish had swiftly retreated to the safety of lake bed, perturbed by the rhythmic pitter patter of raindrops on the surface and the occasional sound of distant thunder.... Continue Reading →
“What is gut feel, Monk? I hear everyone speaking about this and instinct and intuition. Tell me more.” Koi had been waiting to ask the monk this question since the last evening. Monk gifted Koi his trademark smile, that always radiated suddenly from his calm meditative visage. “Your questions are getting interesting Koi. Often, you... Continue Reading →
There was a slight drizzle and Koi wasn’t sure he would find the monk. She swam towards the garden anyway, amidst gentle ripples that danced as raindrops kissed the water. The monk was there, in his regular spot by the water, sitting cross legged with an aura of calm around him, unperturbed by the rain... Continue Reading →
Monk was expecting the Koi any moment now, he could sense Koi’s curious energy. Koi appeared on cue, gently past the lotus leaves near the banks of the lake. “Monk, I have something I want to talk about today.” “Koi, I see you have brought your friends along too.” “I have been sharing our conversations... Continue Reading →
The Koi was back after a few days. Swimming up to the monk on a cold winter morning, as a blanket of fog hung over the lake. The monk spoke first, with his eyes gently shut, yet sensing Koi was nearby in silence. “You are back Koi. How have you been?” “I am well Monk.... Continue Reading →
The Monk eyes were still shut, but he sensed an aura of restlessness as Koi approached him. “Is everything ok, Koi?” asked the monk with his eyes still closed. The Koi spoke as he neared the banks of the zen garden. “Monk, I am not feeling happy today. I watched you and have been trying... Continue Reading →
The Monk felt the Koi’s presence and opened his eyes “Welcome back my friend.” Koi smiled and said “I have another thought today Monk.” The Monk waited for Koi to continue. “Monk, how do I learn to forgive?” The monk smiled at Koi. “I love your questions Koi” and then closed his eyes in silence... Continue Reading →
The Koi fish was back early morning. “I thought of another question Monk.” She said. The monk patiently waited for Koi to speak. “What is wisdom Monk?” The monk was silent for what seemed like eternity and then he spoke softly. “Koi, Wisdom is listening intently to knowledge and making use of what she imparts.”... Continue Reading →
The Koi came back one morning at the break of dawn. He looked up at the Monk and asked him “What is true happiness, Monk?” The Monk remained silent for a while, then answered the fish with a smile “Koi, happiness is greeting both sadness and happiness the same way. As two friends who will... Continue Reading →
The Koi asked the monk one day “Have you found the answers you are looking for?” The Monk paused for a while and answered the Koi “I am not seeking answers, Koi. I am just beginning to know myself. When I really discover myself and become who I truly am, the other answers will magically... Continue Reading →
The Koi fish approached the monk one day. “I have a question for you” said the Koi. The monk waited patiently for the Koi fish to ask his question. “Why do you close your eyes?” The monk smiled with his eyes gently closed. “It allows me to be with myself and shut out the noise... Continue Reading →
“What is meditation?” The Koi fish asked the monk. The monk smiled and answered “Meditation is being in the now.” Koi went silent for a moment and asked “Are you meditating now?” “Yes. Right now I am completely present in our conversation. My mind is not astray, my thoughts aren’t scattered. The water is still... Continue Reading →
I have begun creating some time lapse videos of the monks being sketched. This is an initial exploration of the same. I am going to try and do this regularly and share the process of how the illustrations are created color, ink and all.
Tried playing and exploring working with photographs and creating layers with the monk. Some cool results. Still learning and having fun. Miss the simple joy of pen and ink and the meditative state of drawing them. But also having a blast playing with color. The best of both worlds - who said I need to... Continue Reading →
Tried my hand at some explorations with the Apple iPad pro and the apple pencil. Had some fun with color and textures. Still not got my hand at it fully. Here are the results.
I explored adding more color to the monks. Detailed the buildings and depicted them in concentric circles to symbolise the inner journey to find oneself. Finding your own quiet spot and rejuvenating yourself need not await a vacation but finding balance everyday, all the time.
I am exploring ways to depict meditation and self knowledge. I found a few metaphors that align with my interpretation of the process. I am using building forms to depict the outside world and symbolize the noise of everyday life. The energy lines around the monk attempt to describe the changes and the aura that... Continue Reading →
Meditation is best defined as a state where the mind is silent, completely still and without distraction. The mind is clear, relaxed, and focused inward. We aspire to achieve a state where the mind is silent and no longer distracts. Every individual will have their own process to get to this state of being. It's... Continue Reading →
Imagine a life where everyday is a vacation. Where every single day we wake up smiling with a hop in our step. What are things we do on a holiday? Slow down, hear the birds, feel the wind on our face, let go of all stress, do the things we love, spend quality time with... Continue Reading →
What goes around comes around. Goodwill is the most precious asset to nurture. Networking is helping others achieve their goals without expecting anything in return. The more you become a catalyst to people's dreams and aspirations, the more the power of reciprocity kicks in. The secret is not to expect it and never to make... Continue Reading →
Quieten the busy mind, switch off from the noise, get off the daily grind, tune into your inner voice. Allow the moment to embrace, the mind is an empty bowl, within this silent space, you will find your soul.
I am managing to take out precious time every day to sketch. Still exploring quotes and concepts that inspire. The addition of using water color pens has allowed a add a dash of color to bring alive these ideas. I am also having a blast with the ribbon style 3D typography that's allowing the words... Continue Reading →
I am having fun finding inspiring quotes and bringing them to life as sketches. Here are a couple of pages from the sketchbook.
To be in a place where you can mould your self without the baggage of the past. To be able to access, be aware of and then let go of everything which doesn't sit well with our values. To be able to simply be in a state of equanimity and see situations and moments for... Continue Reading →
An illustration I made over coffee yesterday where I attempted to depict what meditation is for me. Meditation is to spend time in quiet thought where the mind is an empty vessel. The mind learns to form a ring that keeps external chatter completely away and slowly submerge into a space of complete inner silence. ... Continue Reading →
What we do determines what comes back to us tomorrow and not in the next life. Instant karma is knowing our actions create a boomerang of activities - good or bad.
The need for the hour is to constantly just switch off from all digital distractions. Find time for ourselves without our phones, computers, tablets and television. To just be one with observes and the people around us. Look around and feel in the moment without noise.
SEEKING ANSARS 