A Post in Waikiki
I’m a sporadic meditator. Instead of developing a consistent practice like I know I should, I use meditation more as a tonic, a quick fix to relieve stress or take the edge off my anxiety. About seven years ago, when I was stressed about something either important or meaningless—I can’t even remember now—I searched up “relaxation meditation” on YouTube. I chose the one at the top of the suggested list, put on my headphones and pushed play. A few bars of New Age music and then a woman’s soft, soothing voice: Close your eyes. Relax. Focus on the inhale. Now focus on the exhale … Inhale … Exhale …. And so on. Then she asked us to imagine, with as much detail as possible, our favorite place in the world, somewhere that brings us instant peace, a sense of pure calm. Immediately, the view of this post in Waikiki, with the ocean behind it, flashed across my mind’s eye. I realized then that I’d keep photographing it for the rest of my life.
Note: Asterik indicates photographic print in exhibit at Downtown Art Center