Lessons in a beginner's mind pt xxx

I've been practicing Vispassana buddhism actively for about two years now. I find that what works  for me is to work on cultivating  the  loving-kindness/joyful aspects of heart-mind, and when photographing, to be able tp concentrate.  Quiet the mind allowing it to relax into spaciousness and try to perceive space as subject.  Seems that some days when the sprirt is right one can aim the camera at just about anything and be given something - something fun and playful, and maybe just maybe an experiece that allows us to drop our mental filters and to observe the artificial boundaries between world and self.

What we allow ourselves to see

A few years back we lived in Denver and in Denver there was always

something eye catching to photograph.  Even in the winter or on the most dull and drab days.  Then, we moved to Durango.  More specifically, we moved to the countryside and I would complain that there was nothing to photograph.  Perhaps boredom, by necessity has forced me to learn to see with new eyes?  Perhaps its not about where you are or what surrounds you so much as it is about what you allow yourself to see?

Why Doctor Rob

I have rarely used the title of "Doctor."  In fact, I think I have felt slightly embarrassed by it.  But that just seems silly.  I worked my ass off jumping through all those academic hoops and it was a great time of my life.  It was a time of great hope and great expectation. The future was wide open and it was mine for the grasping.

Buddhism and life experiences confirm that "grasping" brings its own kind of pain.  I may be delusional but I do not think I am grasping by calling myself  Doctor Rob.  I think, I am simply trying to come to terms with and acknowledge a part of my past and a past accomplishment - one that I have shied away from claiming, one that I have dis-identified myself from.   I think maybe for a time at least, I need to play Doctor......Doctor Rob.....