The blog will pick a word of the week, to share & explore the selected word. Here’s an expression for the word – eau (water). 

Water Views: Rivers, Lakes & Oceans is a breathtaking overview of the most striking bodies of water from around the world. Photographed with state-of-the-art drone technology by David Ondaatje. The surreal aerial images capture the picturesque beaches of Carmel-by-the-Sea, the Gaviota Beach, the wild coasts of Oregon, the placid lakes from Tahoe to Como, the emerald waters of the Bahamas & Belize, the meandering fishing rivers of British Columbia & Montana. Incredibly creative & awe-inspiring.

Ondaatje’s personal affection for solitude, for the unspoiled beauty of nature leads to a masterpiece. Stunning photographs take us on a spectacular journey to some of the most beautiful places in our world, all tied to the charming, compelling & blissful power of water.

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The blog will pick a word of the week, to share & explore the selected word. Here’s an expression for the word – eau (water). 

“There’s something beautiful about water, that solitary kind of peaceful feeling. You’re on earth but not quite” – John C. Reilly

“I would love to live like a river flows, carried by the surprise of its own unfolding” – John O’Donohue

“I have seen the sea when it is stormy & wild, when it is quiet & serene, when it is dark & moody. And, in all these moods, I see myself” – Martin Buxbaum

“I understand that everything is connected, that all roads meet & that all rivers flow into the same sea” – Paulo Coelho

“When we do things from our soul, we feel a river moving within us, a joy” – Rumi

“When I sit here by the sea & listen to the sound of the waves, I feel free from all the pain & the obligations of this world” – Henry Thoreau

“In order to reflect, think & plan, we must quiet ourself. We can’t see our reflection in churning waters. Water must be still to see our reflection”- Karen Susman

“Always be like water. Float in the times of pain or dance like the waves along the wind which touches its surface” – Santosh Kalwar

“Let the mind flow like water. Face life with a calm, free & quiet mind – Thich Thien An

“A river cuts through rock not because of its power, but because of its persistence” – Jim Watkins

“Going with the flow is responding to the cues from the universe. When we go with the flow, we’re surfing life force. It’s about wakeful trust & total collaboration with what’s showing up for us” – Danielle LaPorte

“Water does not resist. Water flows. When we plunge our hands into it, all we feel is a gentle caress. Water is not a solid wall, it will not stop us” – Lao Tzu

“Water is critical for sustainable development, environmental integrity, the alleviation of poverty & hunger. It is indispensable for human health & well-being” – United Nations

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The blog will pick a word of the week, to share & explore the selected word. Here’s an expression for the word – eau (water).

“Water is the driving force of all nature” – Leonardo da Vinci. Across cultures, water has carried a deep philosophical meaning. Water as a source of evolution, generosity & excitement is a major theme. In ancient Greek thought, water represents a constant flow & transformation, expressing the idea that our reality is ever-changing, created by a continuity of motion.

In Taoist philosophy, especially in the Tao Te Ching, water symbolises the highest virtue. It is soft yet powerful. It yields, yet over time it shapes mountains. Water flows gracefully without resistance illustrating wu wei (effortless action), symbolising humility & nurturance. It becomes a model for wise living – fluid, flexible, compassionate & resilient. “Nothing is softer than water, yet nothing can resist it” – Lao Tzu. “Let your mind be like water” – Zen proverb. It signifies hope & healing.

“I am the river & the river is me” – Maori proverb. Water reflects the Buddhist ideas of flow, inter-dependence & non-self. A wave appears alone, but it is never separate from the ocean. This mirrors the teaching that individuality is real, yet inseparable from the whole. Water is the source of life & rejuvenation. In Hindu thought, cosmic waters represent infinite potential & possibilities. In indigenous traditions, water is sacred with a living presence, rather than just a resource. We hold a responsibility towards our rivers, seas & oceans. “In one drop of water are found all the secrets of all the oceans” – Khalil Gibran.

In psychology & philosophy of the mind, water represents awareness itself. Water is the mirror & the mystery of our soul. Calm waters are synonymous with peace, clarity & clear insight. Turbulent waters depict an emotional turmoil. Depths of water equals the unconscious layers of our mind. In essence, water is flow, humility, resilience, joy, passion & inter-connectedness. It shares that softness can overcome stress, patience can conquer force & flexibility is a form of strength.

Water shares that our reality is dynamic, relational, emergent & deeply inter-connected. “No water, no life. No blue, no green” – Sylvia Earle. “Water is the blood of the land” – Aboriginal Australian teaching. “Be like water” – Bruce Lee.

We thank you, water, for life
we promise to walk gently
to take only what we need
and to protect you for those yet to come. (an indigenous prayer)

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The blog will pick a word of the week, to share & explore the selected word. Here’s an expression for the word – tribes (Africa).

The Maasai. Essays on the culture & conservation of the pastoral Maasai, based on the author’s fieldwork in Ngorongoro, Tanzania. The Ngorongoro conservation area, world-famous for its exceptionally rich wildlife, is also the home of a large population of Maasai livestock herders. The essays provide a penetrating portrait of the age-old Maasai culture, their pristine & pastoral way of life. The beautiful book is lavishly produced & richly illustrated with spectacular photos & incredible insights.

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The blog will pick a word of the week, to share & explore the selected word. Here’s an expression for the word – tribes (Africa).

Ashanti To Zulu: African Traditions. This is Africa – an enormous, vibrant & varied continent inhabited by hundreds of different peoples whose array of customs or traditions are as diverse as the land itself. It would take volumes to describe the cultures of all the African tribes, but here are some brilliant insights about twenty-six of them, from the Ashanti to the Zulu. Margaret Musgrove has described their wonderful ceremonies, celebrations & day-to-day customs with remarkable artistic insight. The artworks capture the incredible beauty & dignity of each of the twenty-six tribes. Super special.

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The blog will pick a word of the week, to share & explore the selected word. Here’s an expression for the word – tribes (Africa).

Natural Fashion: Tribal Decoration From Africa. Ethiopia’s Omo Valley is home to fascinating tribal rites & traditions that have survived for thousands of years. The nomadic people who inhabit the vibrant valley share a gift for body painting & elaborate adornments, borrowed from nature. Hans Silvester has captured the beautiful results in a series of gorgeous photographs. 160 incredible images to celebrate the Ethiopian tribal culture & identity. Beauty beyond words.

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The blog will pick a word of the week, to share & explore the selected word. Here’s an expression for the word – tribes (Africa).

Faces Of Africa. Award-winning photographers Carol Beckwith, Angela Fisher present an unparalleled collection of 250 photographs revealing an inclusive look at the people & cultures of Africa. This astounding collection of rare photographs depict a lifetime of events or experiences from birth to marriage from every part of Africa. These varied cultural faces are expressed in the rolling eyes or the flashing teeth of the Wodaabe charm dancers of Niger, the colourful beaded bodices of the Dinka of Sudan, the striking painted faces of the Karo of Ethiopia or the countless people beaded, draped in beautiful cloth & veiled to honour a special moment in their life. An emotionally moving, personal tribute to some of the most beautiful people on Earth.

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The blog will pick a word of the week, to share & explore the selected word. Here’s an expression for the word – tribes (Africa).

Reflections On African Art: Insights On Rare Pieces From The Bamana, Senufo, Dogon & Baule Tribes shares creative African art from Mali, Côte d’Ivoire & Burkina Faso. A diverse range of pieces, rare & unusual treasures curated masterfully to offer a fresh perspective on the artistic heritage of Africa. Reflects the ever-changing cultures & traditions of African tribes with an intimate glimpse into Africa’s rich artistic legacy.

Focuses on the awesome African art from the Bamana, Senufo, Dogon & Baule tribes with a detailed explanation of the history & meaning of tribal art. Through beautiful photographs, it captures the beauty, uniqueness & significance of African art to preserve the legacy of African craftsmanship. A wonderful opportunity to explore the richness of African art & understand its relevance in the modern world.

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The blog will pick a word of the week, to share & explore the selected word. Here’s an expression for the word – tribes (Africa).

Read the Tribes Of Africa. An insightful dive into the indigenous African tribes – their incredible cultures, philosophy & traditions over the centuries. An intriguing look at their beliefs & wonderful ways of living that have uniquely shaped our world. Genetic tests suggest that the San Tribe or the Bushmen Tribe are the closest living descendants of the first man on earth! A radiant read to explore the exciting African tribal legacy, vibrancy, variety & richness. A beautiful adventure.

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The blog will pick a word of the week, to share & explore the selected word. Here’s an expression for the word – tribes (Africa).

African tribal philosophy is incredibly rich. Africa has thousands of ethnic groups, languages & customs. So, tribal philosophy really means many distinct indigenous philosophical traditions like the Yoruba, Akan, Igbo, Maasai, Zulu, Dogon etc. Still, there are several widely shared concepts that appear across the African thought system. Philosophy is often expressed through storytelling. Knowledge is transmitted through elders & ritual speeches. Time is understood through lived events, not abstract calendars.

Ubuntu – the core idea is that a person becomes a person only through other people. “I am because we are.” Identity is communal, not purely individual, based on relationships, compassion & kindness. The self is not isolated, it is part of a collective web. Virtues like generosity, courage, harmony & respect are precious. It does not erase individuality, but places it inside a communal framework of a shared destiny, dignity, duty & diversity.

Vital force – the core idea is that reality is made of life-energy rather than static matter. Everything has a spiritual force (humans, animals, ancestors, nature). Life is about maintaining & increasing the harmony of these forces. Reality includes multiple layers – the physical, the spiritual, the ancestral & the cosmic. Ancestors guide or protect the living with wisdom & experience. Life is an integrated whole without a sharp division between body or spirit, nature or humanity.

Sacredness of nature – the core idea is that nature is alive & spiritually significant. Land is ancestral. Rivers, forests, mountains, the sea & animals have sacred roles. Environmental ethics often arise naturally. Humans are stewards, not owners of the earth. Life is understood as sacred, interconnected & inter-dependent with nature.

Enkai / Engai (God as the center of reality). The Maasai believe in a supreme divine force called the Enkai, the creator & sustainer of life. Often understood as both immanent (present in nature) & transcendent (beyond humans). Associated strongly with rain, farming & fertility. Cattle symbolise divine blessing. The Maasai worldview is deeply pastoral. Herding is not just labour, it is identity. Strength is valuable only when it’s tied to protection, peace towards nature & community. Inspirational.

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