“This present moment
that lives on

to become

long ago”

— Gary Snyder

Full disclosure: this looks like the epitome of deep, contemplative meditation… the truth is otherwise.
Of course, this picture is a selfie. It’s me wanting to show you a manufactured ideal-me-in-meditation.

It required balancing the camera on a pile of books to get the composition. Then, as my camera only has a maximum 10-second timer; hit the shutter button and then race over to my cushion, plop down, fold up the legs… assume the position… and manufacture a serene zen-like gaze with perfect posture and just enough head tilt to eliminate the double chin.

I think I did this about 10 times to get the framing and exposure right. There are many duds of me in a blur of plopping down, slouching over to one side, or dealing with my dog, who just wants to play at this moment of critical seriousness.

I have no idea what I look like in real meditation.
But it is probably definitely not like this.