A Pure Soul by yaorenliu

A Pure Soul

Liu Li Chang, a curio street in Beijing. A Chinese character “Ethics” attracted my attention. I went into a small gallery and finally ended up inside the courtyard of this gallery’s artist near by. We had nearly two hours conversation about his art, life and Taoist philosophy. I was fighting my tears because I found a pure soul in this crazy money chasing world. In this photo, He is holding his huge brush and explaining his approach in writing this character.
Did he speak English or were you able to to talk to him in his own tongue! It must be so invigorating to hear different philosophies of life!
September 5th, 2013  
I would love to have been there. I am wanting to learn how to express myself in drawing and painting. What flow he has.
September 5th, 2013  
@maggiemae Chineser is my mothe tongue.
September 5th, 2013  
@pam1 He is amazing, he gave up medicine when he was young and travelled around China for 10 years searching. He gave me one of his book. I am so grateful.
September 5th, 2013  
Wonderful! The Chinese characters are so mysterious to me. It is such a wonder to find that those few characters mean so much!
September 5th, 2013  
a beautiful capture! and I love your explanation. It's good to see the brush that produced this sign! and the artist of course.
September 5th, 2013  
what a wonderful experience Yao!...reassuring to learn there are still a few pure souls out there.....
September 5th, 2013  
I have always though Chinese writing is like an art in itself. This is lovely. It sounds as if you were very fortunate to come across this artist who was so willing to share his philosophy with you. It sounds like it was a life changing moment for you.
September 5th, 2013  
This story may tought all of us that everything is being in permanent search and movement, and probably the most stable things can be those which are always changing... At least what I realized from the story of his life and your story... You told me about the law of Attraction, so your met with this philosopher happened naturally - you are a pure soul too! You know once I decide for myself to accept any person in my life as a teacher, and sometimes it makes me delighted how many things we can get from all the people around us.. I guess your meet with him happened for a reason, you sought some answers and you found them.
I also impressed the deepness of your picture. A Chinese character “Ethics” contains reflections from the opposite wall I guess, but it looks amazing in this context! It's like the image inside image, meaning inside meaning! Thank you very much for this picture, Yao!
September 5th, 2013  
@ksyu You are right and kind. If human relationship is based on trust, we open doors to learn from each other. The reflection may contain the other word of Ethics hanging on the other side of the room. Ethics contains two Chinese Characters. The other one looks even better, but the shot I took does not contain the artist.
September 5th, 2013  
@caroleb You are right; this artist was a Tai Qi master too. He showed me one of the documentaries about him, in it a stadium’s entire floor is covered by papers, the way he wrote with his huge brash to me like dancing, full of energy and grace. It is a pure art.
September 5th, 2013  
@ianrm Did you notice, he is teaching me Ethics – that 80 something chapters of ethics, I learned when you empty you full. Make sense?
September 5th, 2013  
@yaorenliu it makes all too much sense......you also make me re-examine my own job ( something I often do) as it a prime example of your " crazy money chasing world"......sigh
September 5th, 2013  
@ianrm we all need to make a living and a comfortable life. That is why we balance it with art - who said he went to tate modern?.
September 5th, 2013  
This is a beautiful shot, both of the man and of the writing. Thank you for sharing this with us.
September 5th, 2013  
A very special image and post. I think one can sense the presence of truth and beauty. You clearly did with this artist and have captured your feeling so well in the photo. Thank you for sharing with us, Yao!
September 5th, 2013  
I love the balance of this picture. There is a passage in the Bible that says, "Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything is worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things." It has always been a favorite of mine and it makes me think this artist is pursuing the same thoughts through his art and in his life.
September 5th, 2013  
This is amazing and what a beautiful tale you tell. I'm so glad you had such a positive and uplifting experience during your trip. I can see the way he is standing there holding the tools of his trade, and looking at his masterpiece with pride.
September 5th, 2013  
Excellent photo of this pure soul.
September 5th, 2013  
I am loving your holiday photos, they are so informative. I feel as though I am travelling with you.
September 6th, 2013  
What an experience to have had! Your photos have captured an amazing trip. I'm really enjoying them.
September 6th, 2013  
Wonderful capture.
September 6th, 2013  
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