The Ice Dragon.
A slim Asian man looking after a photography exhibition at Robina library complex asked me which photograph I thought was the best. I chose a clear crisp picture of a white cockatoo in flight. He said “Thank you my name is Tan.” I introduced myself and we discussed photography. I then realized Tan had taken that photo. He shared his lunch of berries and vegetarian treats, a delightful change to my usual lunch.
That is how we became friends. Tan was very generous giving not only material things he shared his wisdom with me.
I think Tan had suffered a lot of racial prejudice, probably because of his talent and good ethics. Also Tan would not bend to please bigots or fools.
Visiting the Buddha’s Birthday celebrations at Southbank, Brisbane, I was surprised to find Tan carving a large dragon out of ice using power tools. Just another one of Tan’s many talents.
The picture of me and the Ice Dragon hangs in my room reminding me of many things. I learned from Tan and the Ice Dragon.
Our paths meet up only occasionally. Men rarely keep in contact but no matter how long it is when they meet again it is like yesterday.
Voyaging on the vast ocean of life ships may sail together in a fleet for a time then drift apart. Reciprocity and commitment is needed for people to stay together for any length of time. If we are fortunate sailing in the same direction we find good company.
If the company is really good we change course. So if you are fortunate enough to find a really compatible companion appreciate and change your way to suit. The scenic route may be longer but more enjoyable.
The photo of the Ice Sculpture Dragon reminds me.
Born in fire and made of clay.
I thought myself very clever.
To make a dragon that would last forever.
Your ice dragon will not last
But you are wise as well as clever,
Giving is how you get your pleasure.
We are aware an ice sculpture will melt and appreciate its beauty without clinging.
It is not so obvious that all things change regardless of what they are made of.
The ice dragon made me more aware as it melted, that the joy of doing anything is to be absorbed in the delight of doing.
I no longer cling to my pottery dragon it has shattered. Not a smooth expected transition like the beautiful ice dragon as it melting.
We cling to a fragile memory that time will inevitably consume.
Reluctantly we must let our past slip into the abyss of time. Time is the ultimate winner.
The ice dragon teaches pleasure is doing,
joy is giving and that sorrow of cling.
Beautiful sculputor, beautiful message: The only constant in life is change and we have to embrace it in order to move forward. Thank you for sharing 🙂
Thanks for your comment noting the message.
i think this is my favorite post! there is so much here.. from following the story from start to finish… from watching the serious artist at work and then seeing his grand infectious smile… even his unselfish gift of sharing his lunch says a lot about him, and then your more-serious message about the layers of life and the joy of giving.
thank you jack! this is beautiful! z
Jack, how I loved re-connecting again with your posts.. I so enjoyed viewing your photo’s and reading your wisdom .. You are so right in what you say.. Everything in this world is transitionary if there is such a word.. We each of us meet and greet and some stay while others move on their journey…
How gifted is Tan in his art.. And how wonderful it is to be able to create something from nothing and then allow it to melt back into the invisible realms of water once again..
That is why I so love the Monks who make their painstaking mandala’s out of sand who spend hours in creation and then they brush it all together again.. Showing us we all of us are connected in the oneness..
People would always ask me about my Auragraphs http://suedreamwalker.wordpress.com/art-and-hobbies/watercolour-paintings-auragraphs/
And how I could give away something that had taken many hours in creating.. It is easy.. The gift of giving and seeing the pleasure such a gift brings is so worth it..
Giving enables the energy to keep flowing.. Tan is very enlightened in seeing that sharing and giving reaches out like ripples…
Like your blog Jack.. You enrich us with your posts and your thoughts.. And I have missed my catch ups.. but I am here again to receive your Gifts 🙂
Many thanks _/\_
Sue
Thank you Sue for such a kind, encouraging and understanding comment and the link to those charming pictures. I will be going back to have another look at them.
I see you, Sue in every gentle brush stroke and soft pastle colour. _/\_.
Many thanks Jack. 🙂 Big smiles _/\_