TRAVEL DIARY

A weblog regularly updated by Jodi Rose.

Sunday, May 20, 2007

11:41 AM
Posted by jodi rose

'Aichaku is the Japanese word for the emotional attachment one can feel for an object or artifact. That deserves affection not for what it does, but for what it is.' Based on an extreme form of Shintoism, which teaches that every object is alive, and has a spirit; paper, trees, rocks, buildings, bridges! even bicycles.

John Maeda, Simplicity

This is exactly what I'm feeling for both *my* bicycles. Although one of them is shared, I'm allowed to love it.
Painted the first purple and the second 'mystic violet' which is a kind of metallic dusky pink. That's the one I rescued from the canal - where it was definitely abandoned, despite what threes anna says! There's just something about it that makes me happy. The curve of the frame where you step through, the simplicity of having no gears or handbrake, the shape of the handelbars, all give it a very cheeky and fun spirit. I'm taking it back to ride in berlin, much to the amusement and surprise of my friends here.

Tickets booked and trains to catch. It's been so lovely having a break from constant movement and non-stop art. Although we did manage to fit in quite a few experimental improv dance performance and music gigs, in between lounging around reading and going to dinner with various people. Having Philippa here was incredibly grounding and rejuvenating, exactly what we both needed. I didn't manage to write 'properly' every day, but have new energy and focus, and lots of notes.

The last two weeks have also provided a much-needed respite from the world, retreating into simplicity and sunshine with no obligations or responsibilities. Not sure how long I can keep the 'present-in-the-moment' vibe going once I get back to the maelstrom of life. It's so delicious I will gently work on staying in that state, being as free of expectation and ego and desire as is possible, while fully engaged and involved. Tricky.

The idea of 'choiceless awareness' is one I'm liking now. From 'The Invitation', where Oriah talks about 'the difficult choices we make, and how if we can be still enough with what is in our hearts we find the place of choiceless awareness called 'Chui-ta-ka-ma' by the Native Americans. Where it is clear which choice is a choice towards life, and where we can make no other.'
I have floated into this sense of incredible clarity and calm, and hold that in my heart with the hope that it can light the way out of confusion for others too.

a few words from Bob:

Hey Mr Tambourine Man, play a song for me, I'm not sleepy and there is no place I'm going to.

Take me on a trip upon your magic swirlin' ship...

I'm ready to go anywhere,
I'm ready for to fade
Into my own parade,
cast your dancing spell my way,
I promise to go under it...

Yes, to dance beneath the diamond sky
with one hand waving free,
Silhouetted by the sea,
circled by the circus sands,
With all memory and fate
driven deep beneath the waves,
Let me forget about today until tomorrow.

Hey! Mr. Tambourine Man, play a song for me,
I'm not sleepy and there is no place I'm going to.

Hey! Mr. Tambourine Man, play a song for me,
In the jingle jangle morning I'll come followin' you.