Last Friday I drove down South and stayed in the Scared Heart Spiritual Centre. Purpose to be silent.

A beautiful brick building, with lots of nooks to relax and ponder nothing at all. The building is like a fortress with the most magnificent garden at its heart.

I had a camera in the car though it was not a photography trip. It was a SILENT retreat. No talking, no phones, no radios, just a few days of practising silence in a stunning setting. Was it okay to take photos ?

I think so, we all meditate in different ways. I meditate  when I am walking, gardening and absolutely when i am out on my own making images….its the place I feel my most relaxed and in the zone….

Sometimes making images just doesn’t work for me ……..

The very first thing I saw as I carried my bag over to my room was a dead bird. A symbol some might say, a dead black bird right in front of me. Some say dead black birds are associated with the dead and lost souls….. associated with witches. Well I was feeling right at home so I took a photo and followed the path to my room. Up the stairs round and round.

I was stuck by the peace and simplicity within the building, the sense of stillness and silence . It was nice to be away from the chunter of mindless useless conversation. No politics ,news, TV and useless banter ……..

These days we have to make decisions as to what is real , whats a bot, whats not …….connecting with a Bot , maybe the conversation is more real for some ….

Leaving it all behind i let myself be consumed by the vortex of another world i seldom venture into……………..