by Beth Haley
From this blank square of paper, the zen question, “Who am I?” becomes, “What am I?”
This seemingly simple art can fold and unfold into many layers of meaning.
The end result is, not necessarily, as important as the process of creating. If we are mindful throughout this creative endeavor, we may each see something different.
“All things are given life and form.”
Religion in Chinese Garments by
The square is the uncarved block (Pu is a Chinese word meaning “unworked wood”). The Taoist meaning of Pu is: perception without prejudice and without the distinctions of right or wrong, beautiful or ugly, good or bad, black or white.
This square of paper is my uncarved block.
Transformation
Fold after fold. Crease and un-crease; a new creation is coming into being. Just like we can take the old lines and creases of our life and transform them into something new.
Memory
The paper has memory; it remembers its past lines. They are like scars on the soul. They may heal, but once there, those lines remain.
Self examination
We can unfold (turn back time), and remember our past. Then, make new creases and story lines to form a new shape, outlook, new picture, or a new present and future.
Haley 2019
Pilgrimage Studio 