Trilogy of mountain and landscape photography. 3) Meditation

Meditation as a practice of observation

 

Landscape photography is an art that invites us tto understand both the world around us and our inner world, and we can turn it into a true meditative act.

Eastern wisdom traditions such as Taoism, Buddhism and Indian philosophy – with their rich symbolism and teachings – intertwine perfectly with our spiritual experience and teach us to observe the world and live with greater awareness, offering us valuable insights to stimulate artistic creativity. In fact, we photographers are invited to overcome the barriers of the ego, to accept a pure and transcendent vision of the world, to stop and focus our attention on what nature offers us: the play of light, the variations in colour, the shapes of mountains, the flowers among the rocks, the formation and dissolution of clouds.

This process of observation requires patience and dedication, essential qualities found in all Eastern spiritual traditions.

 

Taoism: harmony with nature

 

Taoism (or, more correctly, Daoism) is an ancient Chinese philosophy that teaches the importance of harmony with nature and the flow of life. The "Tao" represents the natural order, the principle that governs the universe in an invisible but immanent way, and is not something to be conquered or understood through logical thinking, but simply to be ‘listened to’ and ‘followed’.

This principle is very similar to the visual poetry of us mountain photographers who, in solitude and silence, become a channel for listening to the natural essence of the landscape.

In the Tao Te Ching (an important Taoist text), Lao Tzu speaks of the way of non-action, of Wu Wei (無為), as the most authentic way to live in harmony with the Tao: ‘Do nothing, and everything will be done.’ This concept suggests that the most effective action is that which naturally follows the course of things, and it is an idea that is particularly resonant for us landscape photographers, who learn to work with the elements rather than force them.

Just as nature must be accepted without interference, so we photographers must pause and let our perception flow without forcing the image; we must let ourselves be guided by the landscape, carefully observing its “invisible force”. Solitude thus becomes an act of humility, of active listening, which allows us to tune into the Tao of the mountain, and photography, in this sense, is an act of “non-action”, of surrendering to the beauty of the present, in which the mountain is a subject to be respected and contemplated.

We landscape photographers who act in silence embody the principle of Wu Wei, shooting not as an egoic act but as an act that emerges naturally, like a river that flows effortlessly but, by its very nature, shapes the land.

When we adopt a Taoist mindset, we can participate in the full ‘taste’ experience of the world, because what we do is simply be present and let the scene reveal itself. Many landscapes, as we know, can appear different depending on weather conditions and light, conveying different feelings and communicating peace, power, delicacy, and so on.

It is up to us to be children full of enthusiasm and wonder, embracing this fluidity to discover new dimensions in our images that absorb everything we feel and perceive.

 

Buddhism: impermanence and silence

 

Buddhism is deeply rooted in the pursuit of silence and solitude as paths to enlightenment. Meditation, which is one of the fundamental practices of this tradition, aims to create a space of inner emptiness where the mind can observe phenomena as they arise without judgement. The relationship between us landscape photographers and the silence of the mountains is similar to the relationship between the meditator and their own mind: just as the meditator calms their thoughts to arrive at a clear vision of reality, so we photographers detach ourselves from noise, allowing our vision to be sharp, pure and profound.

Buddhism emphasises the concept of impermanence (Anicca), reminding us that everything is constantly changing. We are familiar with this principle, which can serve as a powerful inspiration in mountain and landscape photography precisely because of the changing characteristics of every natural element. Understanding impermanence helps us to appreciate every opportunity to take a photo and then let it go, knowing that that particular moment will never happen again.

In silence, we detach ourselves from the egoic desire to possess the image and become an instrument of pure perception, just like a monk who, when observing a flower or a rock in silence, does not seek to possess the landscape, but lets it emerge naturally, knowing that every element has something to teach, and refrains from useless thoughts in order to achieve mental tranquillity.

Photography in the Buddhist sense is an act of awakening, in which we merge with the landscape in a single experience of consciousness.

Buddhism encourages the practice of focused attention on the present, and this awareness is essential when we are taking photographs because it allows us to experience a lively and dynamic interaction with the natural landscape, thus making photography a transformative experience both for us and for those who view our photos.

Meditation, therefore, helps us develop the ability to observe without judgement, allowing us to appreciate the present moment, and when we approach the landscape with this meditative attitude, we establish a deep connection with the entire environment.

 

Indian philosophy: life as art and unity

 

Indian philosophy, rich in mythology and symbolism, offers an original perspective on the connection between art and life, considering art as an expression of divine love. In landscape photography, this translates into an approach in which we are not only observers but co-creators of natural beauty: photography is not only an encounter with nature but with the divine that permeates everything, and the poetic vision we seek to capture is, ultimately, a vision of Unity, of the connection between all that exists.

Solitude is also considered a way to achieve unity with the Absolute (Brahman), which is the ultimate reality of the universe, and the mountain is the very symbol of this universal principle, which goes beyond all duality and separation.

As in Buddhism, Indian tradition also invites us to meditate on the truth of impermanence (Anitya) and the cyclical reality of life and death. Silence and solitude allow us to understand deeply that the mountain, like life itself, is constantly changing, and when we immerse ourselves in the solitude of the mountain landscape, we enter a dimension that transcends our individual selves and opens us up to a broader understanding of reality. There is no separation between us and the mountain, between the image and the observer: photography becomes an act of “seeing” and “being”, like the wise yogi who, through meditation, realises his identity with Brahman.

In this context, the visual poetry we put into our landscape photos is the representation of an experience of the whole, and the mountain, as a metaphor for the universe in which every small particle, every shape, every light, is part of a larger cosmic design. Silence, solitude and meditation are not an “absence of” but a return to unity, an experience that reminds us that, despite our individuality, we are all part of an eternal flow.

 

The concept of “Lila”, which represents divine play, invites us not to take ourselves too seriously, and so photography can become a creative game in which we are allowed to explore, make mistakes and, above all, have fun. This freedom of expression is essential for artistic growth and can lead to unexpected discoveries, opening the spirit to new possibilities and ideas.

 

The synergy between landscape photography and meditation

 

The combination of landscape photography and meditation, inspired by Eastern wisdom traditions, offers us an opportunity to stimulate our creativity and allows us to explore our inner selves precisely as we focus our attention on the life around us. In this way, the very act of photographing becomes a process of self-discovery, and our photos silently speak of the landscape and our spirit as one.

We then find ourselves on a beautiful journey of meditation and awareness that enriches our existential experience and highlights the importance of respecting and honouring the whole of nature.

Through observation, acceptance of impermanence and a playful approach to creation, we can create works of art that resonate deeply, bringing the same light to people and inspiring them to see the world with new and open eyes: it is a dance between us and the whole, a silent dialogue that celebrates life in all its forms.

Like Taoists, we let nature take its course without interfering; like Buddhists, we explore the world with a calm and attentive mind; like Indian philosopher, we seek unity and transcendence in contact with the divine that permeates every element of the landscape.

Silence, solitude and meditation are never separate from the artistic experience, but become tools for accessing an authentic vision of the world. In this way, landscape photography is a visual poetry that enters the profound and universal dimension of nature, where each image is the harmony that exists between us and the entire world.