Windows And Clouds, Thiksey, Ladakh

Thomas
Allen
Bethune
Fine Art Photography

Ladakh Meditation

Backward Glance, Ladakh

In July 2008 I visited Ladakh in northern India. The family of Thupten Sopa, a former Buddhist monk, invited me. He is married now to a wonderful lady named Lamo. They have a daughter named Tenzin Angmo. My wife and I have supported Tenzin Angmo's education since she began school six years ago. My main purpose of the trip was to get to know the family. I wanted to experience the culture, and see the Himalaya Mountains. I stayed in their home for three weeks. Thupten served as my guide, and took me to more than a dozen monasteries.

I came away from Ladakh with what I went to find. I also found some things that I did not - I found the unexpected. I know now that I was on a spiritual quest or a pilgrimage. I received knowledge, wisdom, blessings, love, knowingness and the gift of presence. I was gifted, too, with an exposure to the essence of Buddhism.

Most of what I received, and am still receiving, came in the form of the unspoken. It came, also, in the form of the unseen, but at times I was in the right place and at the right time to be able to “capture” some of the essence of these experiences with my camera.

I stayed at Thiksey Monastery for two days. During that time I was mostly on my own. I experienced a very deep level of presence. I lost my tourist’s eyes, and became very aware. I sat with monks as they chanted. My eyes were treated with the face-to-face statues and images of the Buddha. Somehow the sensory wash of sight, sound and silence opened me to Spirit in ways that I cannot explain. I feel that these photographs reveal some of what I learned.

I did not go to Ladakh to take photographs. The photographs were presented to me to share with you. I believe that the people, the land and the religion of Ladakh are mirrors of what was once Tibet. I trust that these images convey a part of that essence.

~ Thomas Allen Bethune

Limited edition, 25 each

Vertical photos are 12.5" x 18.5"
Horizontal photos are 18.5" x 12.5"

Printed with archival inks, all digital prints
are priced at $450.00 framed, $375.00 matted (unframed).

A twenty-percent share of each print sale
goes back to Ladakh for a water well project.

To purchase fine art photography, contact

Gallery Chartreuse
(505) 992-3391  
216 Washington Ave
Santa Fe NM 87501

Thomas Bethune Photography © 2010

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