Incense Ceremony

Incense

There is nothing like good incense!  Nothing makes me feel so instantly blissful, content, and at peace than the smell of incense. When I'm having a bad day or difficult time,  I light some incense and whatever troubles me fades away with each breath I take. The Japanese culture has taken the burning of incense to a whole other level - The Incense Ceremony. ( Koh-do )

Like the tea ceremony (called chanoyu (茶の湯) and flower arrangement ( called Ikebana) , Koh-do, or "incense ceremony," is an important tradition in Japan. Koh-do is always presented by licensed practitioners who have graduated from koh schools — either the Shino or Oie schools — that have have been preserving and conveying this tradition for over five centuries. Incense ceremony is traditionally carried out in the Koh room (as pictured), with a Master of Ceremonies and a small group of participants. Most incense ceremonies involve a game in which the participants attempt to guess the scent is being burned. There are hundreds of variations of these incense games.

While the formal Koh-do ceremony is steeped in protocol and tradition, the main idea is to have fun with fragrance and learn to "listen" to incense. Of course, one does not have to have an experienced, "trained nose" to enjoy and appreciate incense. Informal gatherings of people can meet to share different kinds of incense and create their own games.

A good source of additional information about the vivid history and culture of Japanese incense, including Koh-do incense ceremony, is The Book of Incense by Kiyoko Morita.

The Book of Incense

I have created some  Zen Digital Art as prints to sooth and relax. Have you ever watched smoke from incense curl up into the sky? Your senses are filled with relaxation as you smell and see the smoke spirit. Created by accomplished Carmel artist Casey Shannon.

Smoke Spirit 

by Casey Shannon

Casey Shannon

Director of North America Branch ~ ICCPS

International Chinese Calligraphy and Ink Painting Sociey

国際中国書法国画家協会アメリカ支部：Ms. Casey Shannon　アメリカ現代水墨画家

Copyright ©  Casey Shannon Studio Art. All rights reserved

Casey Shannon Studio

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Mala Beads ~ A Prayer Chant ~ Meditation

Sketch of my Mala Beads

by Casey Shannon

I have been chanting and meditating for many years now. It soothes me and relaxes my brain while bringing spirit to my soul. My mala beads or prayer beads help me focus my mind while doing a chanting meditation. My fingers flow over the beads while chanting and help to create focus and a calm within my heart.

What are Mala Beads you ask?

These special beads are called malas (or japa malas), and they have been in existence for thousands of years. You can find them almost anywhere in the world, although their earliest origins stem from India and Nepal – where meditation has been practiced longest. Today anyone can use mala beads as a way to create calm and peace of mind in everyday life. Malas are used in traditional prayer and meditation, although anyone can begin to use malas without prior experience.

 Each mala contains a set number of beads (usually 108) representing spiritual identity and connection with the universe. In meditation the idea is to move one bead at a time, using each movement as an opportunity to focus on a breath or mantra. This process creates positive spiritual energy – known as ‘japa.’

A standard japa mala will usually contain 108 beads, the number representing the coordinates of the spiritual center of the universe. The guru bead (largest bead at the top, or the bead marked with a tassel) represents the sacred bond of the student-teacher relationship. Therefore, when meditating, it is advised to turn around and reverse directions when you reach the guru bead – to avoid “stepping over” one’s teacher. 

What are Malas made of?

Traditional malas are made using organic materials such as plant seed, wood, and animal bone, which are carved or shaped into rounded beads. Historically, malas made of Rudraksha seed are thought to carry special significance, as the seed is believed to hold spiritual and healing power. Similarly, malas made from Bodhi seeds represent the ancient fig tree under which Buddha attained enlightenment more than 3,000 years ago.

 Mala beads made from carved bone are common in Tibetan culture – signifying impermanence and the necessity for compassion during our time in this world. And mala beads made from wood or tagua nut represent a spiritual connection with the earth – great for promoting mindfulness and grounding energy during meditation.

 Malas can be made using a wide variety of gemstones with specific healing properties. For example, rose quartz (pink) promotes compassion, lapis (blue) helps calm the mind, and amethyst (purple) is believed to enhance clarity of thought. Malas can also be made of metal, shell, or other materials that can be inscribed or painted with words, symbols, and mantras.

 

 Here are three of my malas and their symbolism properties.

 Labradorite Mala                                    Bone Mala ~ India
Self- Reliance & Personal Faith           Encouraging Compassion 

Brown Tagua Mala. Made of Tagua plant nut. Made in Ecuador. These organic mala beads are a great way for you to be mindful of the environment while you meditate. Tagua, also known as “Vegetable Ivory” or “Green Ivory” is a type of hard nut found in the fruit pods of the Tagua palm tree.

Casey Shannon

Director of North America Branch ~ ICCPS

International Chinese Calligraphy and Ink Painting Sociey

国際中国書法国画家協会アメリカ支部：Ms. Casey Shannon　アメリカ現代水墨画家

Copyright ©  Casey Shannon Studio Art. All rights reserved

Casey Shannon Studio

 

凱西香儂齋

 

Hakuin-N.Y. gets 'one hand clapping' Zen debut!

Hakuin
'Two Blind Men on Bridge'

N.Y. gets 'one hand clapping' Zen debut!

By ANN LEVIN

The Associated Press

NEW YORK — The publication of J.D. Salinger's "Nine Stories" introduced a new generation of Americans to a Zen Buddhist koan roughly translated as, "What is the sound of one hand clapping?"

"Making Dango"

This koan, which is an aid to meditation that cannot be solved by logical thinking, can be traced back to the 18th century Zen master Hakuin Ekaku.

Hakuin, who was also a brilliant and prolific painter, is virtually unknown to American audiences. Now, in the hopes of remedying that situation, the Japan Society in New York is staging the first retrospective of Hakuin's work in the United States.

Read full article in The Japan Times

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Hakuin

Hakuin ~ Zen Master

Contemplating 'The Sound of One Hand'

What is the sound of one hand clapping?

So asked Hakuin, the author of this well known Zen koan. Hakuin was one of the most important Japanese Zen masters of the Rinzai school. Hakuin often asked his students to contemplate and meditate on this koan. Hakuin Ekaku (白隠 慧鶴, 1686–1769 or 1685–1768) was one of the most influential figures in Japanese Zen Buddhism.

Much of Hakuin's practice focused, as his teachings did, on zazen and koan practice. His motto was "meditation in the midst of activity is a thousand times superior to meditation in stillness". Hakuin's experiences of enlightenment seemed to come at unexpected moments, often when he was just walking or reading. One experience that he wrote about took place while he was walking through a torrential rain. As the water reached his knees, he suddenly realized the meaning of a particular verse that he had read earlier, and was seized by enlightenment. He had many such experiences, both large and small. Laughter was a large part of Hakuin's reaction to his enlightenments, and he was known to burst into spontaneous laughter upon realizing the essence of a particular koan, causing those around him to believe him to be a madman.

My heartfelt mission is to tell everyone on the planet that there is hope and life after stroke or any traumatic life-altering experience. I want to inspire others not only with my words but also with my art. Hakuin asked this question: 'What is the sound of one hand clapping?'. Could it be painting in wild abandon with your non-dominate hand? Creating 'The Sound of One Hand'?

Click Here to read my story and view 'The Sound of One Hand'.

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Be Here Now

Be Here Now
Sumi-e by Casey Shannon

Jon Kabat-Zinn asks 'Can you be here now, wherever you are?' Interesting and very important question. Is this a wake up call for each of us? Zinn says 'the bell of mindfulness tolls in each moment, inviting us to come to our senses, reminding us that we can wake up to our lives, NOW, while we have them to live'.

We live in a very fast paced and somewhat unhealthy world. I find it difficult to 'be here now' in every moment. However, when I am painting I come very close to attaining that divine presence. Or, when I am meditating, I also find myself solidly in the present moment.

There is a Japanese Proverb:
'Now is a gift, that's why they call it the present'

The sumi-e you see above is called 'Be Here Now'. This image was inspiried by my personal journey into art. It was created after my mind preparation for painting. I saw this image vibrantly clear in my mind and needed to brush it to my paper. The original painting is for sale in Gallery Spirit. Fine Art Reproductions are available here. You may purchase an art print only or you can finish your print right on the website with a mat and frame of your choice.

Casey Shannon Studio

Why do I create Sumi-e?

Why does any artist create anything? This is an interesting question. Each artist will have a different and usually very emotional answer.

Here, in short, is my answer to this question. I create for the sheer joy and pleasure of creating. I create for myself. For me, the creative process is spiritually personal and is a meditation. Being still and meditating allows the creative juices in me to start flowing. Creating my art allows me to be in the present right NOW. I focus only on painting and allow all else to fade away. Worries, plans, responsibilities, what I should do, etc. all become less of an immediate presence. In the act of painting, I attain a level of peace that I achieve no place else. Creating is a selfish act most satisfying. I create for me.

That being said, I humbly offer my paintings for others to see and hopefully enjoy. It is my wish that viewers find in my painting a sense of beauty, peace, something that moves them, and a feeling of ‘wow, I really like this’ or ‘jeez, what was she thinking?’ I would hope the first reaction is obtained. Although, whatever one feels about my artwork is OK. Viewers were moved in some way. They may or may not purchase my work. Either is fine. If they do, I am always very pleased. If they do not, that is beautiful too because that was not the painting’s purpose. The painting 'just exists'.

The sumi-e painting you see here is called 'One Pelican Waiting' by Casey Shannon. It was inspired by all the pelicans that swoop and glide in a line across the waves of the ocean. Pelicans are my favorite bird. I always see these wonderful creatures along Highway One as I drive up the coast to the college where I teach. They seem to gather at Moss Landing and greet me as I drive along the road. Seeing them is always such a delight and I look forward to this treat along my journey. A reproduction of my pelican painting can be purchased from my Zazzle Gallery. The original sumi-e can be viewed at Gallery Journey into Art.

From the Artist:

As a Sumi-e painter, for me, the grinding and preparation of the ink is a wonderful meditation before I begin my painting. I prepare my work in the traditional way. However, my Sumi-e style is 'Contemporary Sumi-e'. My intention is reaching beyond the limits of traditional ink painting. This Sumi-e is called Snowdrops on a Quail Waiting by Casey Shannon. It was inspired by the many beautiful quail found in Carmel Valley. What if it snowed there?

Sumi-e Mind

Brush painting or ink painting called Sumi-e in Japan is done quickly without over thinking your subject matter. Once the brush is laid to the white paper and you have a mark, that's it. There is no erasing, doing over, or changing. The painting 'just exists'. This is why one who creates Sumi-e paints from a quiet centered place and has the intention of capturing the object's spirit and essence with just a few simple and graceful brush strokes.Sumi-e exemplifies the concept of 'Less is More.'

'Kokoro tadashikereba sunawachi fude tadashi'.
If your mind is correct, the brush will be correct.

Sumi-e Art

Sumi-e expresses the character and soul of the artist. It is a meditative process and spiritually personal. Understanding this concept has been at the center of my art. I have been a student of Western painting and of ink painting. Ink painting called Sumi-e has captivated my spirit and soul. I am continually trying to increase my understanding of the secret of beauty and grace and elegance.

As an artist, for me, ink painting is a meditation and a creative process. I concentrate on trying to capture spirit as the ink is transferred to the paper with the stroke of the brush. The brush is pushed across the surface of the paper quickly. If your intention is correct, the object in the picture seems to 'breathe and take on life'. This unseen yet felt breath begins to fill the page with spirit just as it does in all of nature which surrounds us. The special power of the painted form shines and appears through the ink and the white page. The white space surrounding the painted form becomes as important as the object itself. The ink painting represents soul, spirit, elegance, and beauty all at the same time and in concert.