Tag: Tao

The inside IS the outside

~ Sebastian ~ Leave a comment

Very excited about this yunomi! I threw it on the kickwheel and I always throw a bit thick which is just natural for me. In throwing and trimming it forces you think about how the inside of the vessel is formed and how it will affect the balance and the overall shape. 

  
This leads to an insight which is best explained by the Tao Te Ching – 

Use What Does Not Exist

Thirty spokes are united around the hub of a wheel, but the usefulness of the wheel depends on the space where nothing exists.

Clay is molded into a vessel, but the usefulness of the vessel depends on the space where nothing exists.

Doors and windows are cut out of the walls of a house, and the usefulness of the house depends on the space where nothing exists.

Therefore take advantage of what exists, and use what does not exist.

Semper Ad Meliora

~ Sebastian ~ Leave a comment

Semper Ad Meliora – Always towards better things. This has been my modus operandi for my entire life.

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Lately, and I’m not embarrassed to say, that I’ve been going through one of the hardest times of my life. And it has also been one of the best. The two live hand in hand. I need to let go of the notion that life or situations should be some other way than the way that they are. What is, IS! Accepting that tricky little nugget has caused an upward wave and I have been riding it for a few days and using that momentum to get me out of  the hole that I’ve been in.

Some of you say, “Joy is greater than sorrow,” and others say, “Nay, sorrow is the greater.”
But I say unto you, they are inseparable.
Together they come, and when one sits, alone with you, remember that the other is asleep upon your bed.
– Kahil Gibran – The Prophet

Having pottery and being able to explore, problem solve, and create something from the base elements of the earth has really been an important part of recovering. Its symbolic. The more symbolism something has (that I can understand and that resonates with me) the more meaningful it becomes. It’s all very meaningful to me today.

I said this a few months back and it still rings true and can be said again –

“I’m just speechless. The amazing people that come into my life, at just the right times, helping me to go in the directions that I seek. It’s not even possible to repay the generosity of friendship, knowledge, time and guidance. It compels me to be the best that I can be in everything that I do. Everything that I am, so that I can become a vessel of their kindness and share it with everyone I meet. I become what I create: a bowl.”

Have a great one!