The Day of Silence- Bali

16th March Tuesday - Today is the Balinese Hindus New Year Eve, known locally as Nyepi (from the word sepi - silent), the Day of SIlence. Instead of lavish parties, Balinese celebrate the coming New Year with meditation, quiet introspection and spiritual cleansing. The day of silence, no fires, no vehicles, no lights (only candles) and no noise. The day before Nyedi, Ogoh Ogoh (huge representatives of evil spirits) are paraded and it is an explosion of colors, noise, music and flames. After which Nyepi day restores the cosmic balance disrupted by man's greed in exploiting the earth. How wonderful.

Chinese poetry

I met with a friend last night and talked about our interest in Chinese philosophies.. and how ignorant we are today about it. So I decided to venture more into the mysterious world of chinese philosophy. Here's one I found today that spoke to me. 9th century Chinese zen master.

Long seeking it through others,
I was far from reaching it.
Now I go by myself;
I meet it everywhere.
It is just I myself,
And I am not itself.
Understanding this way,
I can be as I am.

- Tung-Shan (806-869)

Naoto Fukasawa

I attended a speech given by Naoto Fukasawa at the Singapore Furniture Fair yesterday and was very impressed by his design philosophy. The idea of super normal objects that are just enough. Not redesigning and simply subconsciously allowing the environment or how things are essentially used to dictate design. The importance to begin with a philosophy of thinking/design and believing in it is emphasized once again. Its not about styling or simply creating for the sake of it. The above lighting by him is such a good example. Perhaps when we are living in the world of excess, we can relook at our lives and consume intelligently. Not design for the sake of designing, or consuming because we can afford to.