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2.10.2011

ensō


We are often asked what Zo's name means...
If Italian?  It's "Ruler of the Home", or just simply, Henry.
If Japanese?  It's "Circle of Absolute", "The Void", or simply, The Moment.

We chose the more common spelling to make his life easier.
Yes.  Alot of people think Ferrari when they hear it.  
And yes.  It was the 2008 #1 boy name in FRANCE. 
A true international name...a Hapa name for a Hapa boy.

The ensō symbolizes a moment when the mind is free to simply let the body/spirit create. In Zen Buddhist art,  the character of the artist is fully exposed in how she or he draws an ensō. Only a person who is mentally & spiritually complete can create a true ensō .  Some artists will draw this symbol daily for Spiritual practice.   
Very Mr. Miagi circa 1980's.


Zo started to "sign his name" at alittle over 2 years old.  It was open scribbles at first, but now he's deliberately connecting the two end points at 3, closing the circle.  It's so very hip of him...having a name that's a symbol...like the artist formerly known as something that was formerly comprehensible.


A child's art does reflect on his character in many ways.  Either loose or tight, imaginative or literal, from scribbles to writing, a child's reflection of the world around him is simply fascinating.
Zigg-Zags started to appear in alot of Zo's doodles.
"That's a story mama...like ABC's".

A few of his playmates are now spelling their own names.  Just amazing.
Zo's not there yet, the letter "O" is his best letter, we're lucky that worked out.


Circles became "words."  And now, words became "people."
His latest chalk scribble is of the most beloved people in his life.
At least I would like to think so.



Slowly, the previous empty Void is now beginning to fill.
Words, images, characters...a once clean slate now has inhabitants.
Real or pretend, invited or intruded, these stories of the who we are, what we are, and how we are, are all around us...and in us.
In this lab, I see my subject self filling and being filled.
A mind empty.
A mind full.
The Merry-Go-Round of life has started.

2 comments:

  1. I've loved all your posts before, but this one was particularly thought provoking. (sigh)

    ReplyDelete