Tag: presence

An art conversation and kind offer.

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This was my response to the message posted in our local Mysore community….

I’d love it, but I just can’t. To me .. It reflects different dimensions, feelings or moods. MAnjula my wife who sadly died seven years ago would reveal all


These layers.

Starting from the left Her smile, shining like the sun would infect everyone she met. The middle is her action, being there always helpful and determined. The third her calmness in whatever situation. The style reflects her embracing the tradional and the modern.  Wrapping it all up would be her attention to being present and attentive.

I can’t take it as I’ve just moved and already have too much art

https://meandmycycle.com/2026/05/08/behold-beauty-in-so-many-ways/

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The full message …. posted to our local WhatsApp group in Mysore.

Dear Art Lovers,

This is not an easy message for me to write.

There is a piece of art that has been a meaningful part of my journey for a long time. It has quietly shared my space, witnessed many chapters of my life, and carried a presence that words often fail to describe.

However, life has brought me to a point where I can no longer hold on to it. While letting it go is difficult, I feel that this piece deserves to continue its journey with someone who truly connects with it and appreciates it from the heart.

I don’t want to place a price tag on this artwork. Some things cannot be measured by a fixed number. Instead, I would love to hear from those who feel genuinely drawn to it.

If this piece speaks to you, I invite you to send me a personal message sharing:

• Why you feel connected to this artwork.

• What story, feeling, or memory it awakens within you.

• And what amount you would be comfortable offering for it.

Over the next few days, I will read each message with gratitude and care. My intention is not simply to find a buyer, but to find the right home for this piece—someone who will cherish it as much as I have.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and for honoring the journey of this artwork.

It is a canvas painting on a wooden frame. 

Dimensions 28 by 58 inches.

Things I’ve learned from Manjula

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A first cycle tour after a loooong gap and what a lovely couple Diana and Josia, from Mexico and the US respectively, currently working in Chennai.

In my attempts to be the wise owl I passed on the two key pieces of advice of the many things I’ve learned from Manjula.

Be there for your partner, we’ve heard so much about presence there’s a risk of overkill but when I read this (see below) it seemed so pertinent. Our love means we should be present for the other.

The second piece of advice is to prepare for the end. In terms of helping each other plan and as part of that decide if you want to be resuscitated. It doesn’t matter how old you are.

Article here about older people and their plans for ‘letting them die.’ How young is too young?

An insight from earlier this year.

Hug them closer.

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I wish I’d discovered this earlier, when Manjula was with me in person. 

I realise with Manjula and others I love, that there are often times when I’m — ‘not quite there.’ I have a tendency to distance, to go numb when stressed, withdraw and move to the edge.

On reflection, I think this might be one of my most significant failings. OK OK, queue here to add to the list….. (of significant failings) 😉

Presence Stephen, be there …

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Maria Popova’s Brain pickings which arrived in my mail box today, relates to this, and has introduced me to Thich Nhat Hanh.

I love this quote and there is more here, if you’re interested….

The Four Buddhist Mantras for Turning Fear into Love

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Some of my friends have been kind enough to share that when I lost Manjula they felt for me and hugged their own loved one closer and tighter.

It’s great that friends gain insights from our loss, which heightens their appreciation of their loved ones now.

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I”m not sure we can maximise every single day and live it as if its your last (how exhausting) but Thich Nhat Hanh points out that we should strive to be there, to be present and connected to our loved one(s).

I realise, I did what I could in the circumstances but it’s always possible to do more and better. 

The intensity of loss highlights how important your love always is and will be, it shows how invaluable is the support you can give each other especially in challenging times. 

Manjula continues to give and she was always there and present, remarkably so, more than anyone I’ve known. More in our story, you’ll just have to wait.

I realise now that then you’re shocked by untimely death your love doesn’t perish, it grows in intensity and in a way, absence doesn’t diminish presence.

Her presence is of course beyond all the pics I’ve got around me of Manjula at home or that I occasionally ride through the city 😉 .

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