A special series on mindful photography by Zarina Holmes
Cleansing is important when starting a creative project. Keeping your workspace clean and organised creates a good state of mind.
In art school, we were trained to keep our brushes clean after completing the lessons. Photographers would clean their lenses and equipment regularly. Now, when I do ikebana composition or gardening, I find satisfaction from pruning and tidying up the studio afterwards.
Cleaning the used bottles and jars is one of my favourite rituals when preparing for flower photography or flower composition. It’s an essential part of my mindful photography practice. I find it calming, therapeutic and raises my self-awareness.
All forms of Japanese Buddhism place emphasis on cleaning to achieve a higher life state. The self isn’t separated from its environment, so the practitioners express respect through the act of cleaning.
Beyond spirituality, maintaining cleanliness within the physical space could help improve our mental hygiene too. A Stanford Medicine expert recommends mindful dishwashing and toothbrushing to decrease stress and improve focus.
A messy environment, just as incoherent social media postings, is a sign of a chaotic mind. At a larger scale, the erratic mindset manifested in environmental pollution and social ills.
We could make a positive impact by keeping our practices clean. The act of cleansing could become something that we truly enjoy.
“Still Life Photography with Seasonal Flowers and Upcycled Containers” workshop is taking place at Missionsworks Hammersmith on 20th May 2023. Book here.
After The Rain 