“Warm Sand” | Anthony Satori
“The essence of all beautiful art, of all great art, is gratitude.”
— Friedrich Nietzsche
Warm Sand
color photography
Pursuit of the Sublime
“Pursuit of the Sublime” | Anthony Satori
The pursuit of the sublime is far too easily derailed by accepting the belief that some heights are, by their very nature, unattainable. How much better to proceed as if all heights can be reached? What new and exceptional elevations of mind, body and spirit are simply waiting to be attained by those who have the courage to adopt a posture of optimism, vision and faith, and then to engage in the purposeful behavior that derives from these qualities?
Lighthouse
“Lighthouse” | Anthony Satori
“Life is holy, and every moment is precious.”
— Jack Kerouac
Let this thought be your guiding light.
Legacy
“Legacy” | Anthony Satori
“Everyone must leave something in the room or left behind when he dies, my grandfather said. A child or a book or a painting or a house or a wall built or a pair of shoes made. Or a garden planted. Something your hand touched some way so that your soul has somewhere to go when you die, and when people look at that tree or that flower you planted, you’re there.”
— Ray Bradbury
Tea and Infatuation
“Infatuation” | Anthony Satori
“The first sip is joy and the second is gladness, the third is serenity, the fourth is madness, the fifth is ecstasy.”
— Gary Snyder, describing to Jack Kerouac an ancient philosophy of drinking tea.
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.
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.
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!
The Sound of Water
“The Sound of Water” | Anthony Satori
“The sound of water says what I think.”
— Chuang Tzu
Along the Shore
“Along the Shore” | Anthony Satori
“Your daily life is your temple and your religion.” — Khalil Gibran
The light, the earth, the air — every moment of every day is filled with the living spirit of the universe. If you slow down, breathe, look, and listen, you will become immersed in the rich essence of being alive.
Satori Circle | Art & Culture 