Nalanda Miksang

Heaven and Earth: Contemplative Landscape Photography (online)
2023-07-16 11:00 - 2023-10-08 13:00 (America/Toronto) | Zoom
“Traditionally it is said that when human beings live in harmony with the principles of heaven and earth, then the four seasons and the elements of the world will also work together harmoniously. Then there is no fear and humans begin to join in, as they deserve, in living in the world. They have heaven above and earth below and they appreciate the trees and greenery and so on. They begin to appreciate all of this.”
– Chogyam Trungpa; Shambhala: Sacred Path of the Warrior
This contemplative photography course explores landscapes from an Eastern contemplative art orientation rather than the traditional Western scenic approach. The contemplative landscape way gives emphasis to visual forms, space and a sensibility of stillness, rather than the conventional landscape formats of dramatic effect.
The course includes resource teachings from contemplative aesthetics, Daoismand Chinese Landscape Paintings. It also includes consideration of Western contemplative landscape photographers such as Edward Weston and Ansel Adams.

Who Should Attend
This course is open to anyone who is interested in exploring the principles of Contemplative Landscapes and messages they express.
You should be prepared to travel through the country side looking and finding Contemplative Landscapes. This is different than capturing Nature, and could take some time — which is why the sessions are spaced two weeks apart.
You will also need a digital camera with a “long lens – at least 180.”
Enrolment is limited to 15.
TO JOIN THE WAITING LIST

Contemplative Photography and Liberation: The Outer and Inner Teachings
2023-06-03 13:00 - 2023-07-08 15:00 UTC
“If you are able to relax – relax to a cloud by looking at it, relax to a drop of rain and experience its genuineness – you can see the unconditionality of reality… you experience a vast realm of perceptions unfolding… the realm of perception is limitless, so limitless that perception itself is primordial… there are endless fields of perception.”

– Chogyam Trungpa, Shambhala Sacred Path of the Warrior

This course will take you on a deep dive into the world of contemplative photography and is open to everyone. No previous dharma or photography experience is required!
A basic introduction to the practice of contemplative photography will be explored – as well as the liberation aspects of this practice.
This course works with both our sense of Sight and Insight – which leads to a different and fresh way of seeing and experiencing our world. So it is both a dharma practice and a contemplative art exploration.
The “clear seeing” you will experience as a part of this course opens up many realms of perception that we typically do not engage with in our daily life. We will explore some fields of perception such as flowers and weeds, the “ordinary world” and impressionism. We will contemplate how this “true perception way” has implications for more primordial insight and deep realization.
We will also contemplate some Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche texts from the books True Perception and Shambhala: Sacred Path of the Warrior. If you do not have these books, excerpts will be provided.
The course proceeds through teachings, assignments, and assignment reviews. No photographic experience necessary, but a digital camera is required. A smartphone camera is workable.
Read John’s McQuade’s article in the Shambhala Times titled Contemplative Art and Liberation: How it Works, here.
About the Teacher
John McQuade is a long time student of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche and is a Shambhala Training Teacher and Meditation Instructor. He is also a Maitri Five Wisdoms Teacher and a founder of Nalanda Miksang Contemplative Photography (www.miksang.org). He is the co-author of two books: Looking and Seeing and Heart of Photography. He teaches contemplative arts ( www.dralaimage.com) and holds a PhD in Phenomenology.
