"We are aware that all generations of our ancestors and all future generations are present in us." Thich Nhat Hanh

 Today could have been called 'Mulling Monday.' I have been mulling over a statement made yesterday by a photographer who was sharing his images and his own spirituality and theology with those of us who are seeking to open our eyes to the presence of the Holy. His images were stunning, funny, poignant, breathtaking. How he was able to so fluidly articulate his understanding of the Sacred showed, not only his ability to integrate his life, but also the depth of the work he had done to get to this place of wisdom. All this accompanied by amazing photography. He was someone known by many in the community and so his ability to connect with his audience was sincere and simple.

At one point he was showing an image of a great gray owl peeking from behind a tree trunk, its yellow eye staring straight at the camera. At first glance it was difficult to see where tree ended and bird began. Everyone was staring intently at the photograph when he said: "We do not see with our eyes. We really see with our brains. That means that many of you are in this picture also. All we have experienced together is stored in my brain and becomes a part of the lens with which I saw this image." 

Can you understand why I have been mulling this idea over all day? Since I am not a scientist and he is, I have to take the science of it all on his word. But it makes sense to me. I can think of all the people who have come and gone from my life who have shaped the lens with which I see the world. Those who have shown me compassion in difficult times and have helped me see the compassionate thread that makes its way in the blood and bone of all humans. Those who have been playful, who have made me laugh and who have needled me out of my intensity to be able to see the truly silly and frivolous that exists in so many unexpected places. Those who have given me the benefit of the doubt when I perhaps did not deserve it and taught me the gift of grace. So many messages planted deep in my brain by countless people giving me my own unique lens. 

The intention of the talk was to have helped people take better nature photography. But the message we all received was so much bigger than any camera or picture we might ever take. The message was really a call to see the deep connections we have with one another even when we are unaware. And the equally deep connections we make each time we form a relationship with another human, an animal, a landscape. All these relationships form a matrix in our brain giving us a world view that is unlike any other. If we are lucky we will remember this every now and then and give thanks as we try to think who is helping us see the moment. 

I'm afraid Mulling Monday may ooze into Mulling Tuesday and Wednesday and on and on. It's alot to take in and my brain feels pretty small. Small, maybe. But very, very full.