Everything Is Mind — 7 February 2017
Observing my mind lately, I’ve noticed it's been running at warp speed—an endless stream of thoughts and ideas, most of which have little or nothing to do with what’s in front of me or what actually needs attention. I believe this is a counter-effect of meditation: the more I try to quiet the mind, the more noise it generates. The more I detach from the outer world, the louder the inner world becomes.
The mind is slippery—like an eel—absorbing everything it encounters like a sponge. There seems to be no escape from its chattering. The more I attempt to disengage from external distractions, the more persistent these random thoughts become. Most are empty, rootless, and unproductive, merely adding to the noise and pulling me away from the moment.
Physically, I’m feeling it too. Aches and pains, especially in my lower back and left knee, are reminders of age and the toll taken by hard labor on the farm. I’m now focused on healing my body, as I prepare for what may be my final solo art exhibition at MGTF-USM this coming March. Organizing a show at the Muzium & Galeri Tuanku Fauziah is no small task. It’s an honor—but also a weight, financially and physically. A luxury I can no longer afford so easily.
But I will give it my all. Because art is not just what I do—it’s who I am.
“The moment you draw, Art happens.”
Like writing, drawing is a form of catharsis. A way of healing a troubled mind. When I sketch, my mind becomes quiet, if only for a moment. The act of focused attention—eye, hand, and breath aligned—brings presence. And with presence, one begins to taste the nearness of the Divine.
This is why I always carry a sketchbook. It’s not just a companion—it’s a bridge. It entertains those around me. It breaks the ice in unfamiliar spaces. It helps me see, not just look. No tree is identical. The eye doesn’t see like a camera. It sees with feeling. With essence.
To draw is to meditate. To sketch is to listen.
Being born an artist is a privilege. Not for the few, but perhaps too few recognize it. It’s my responsibility, therefore, to share myself and my works. Not to entertain the ego—mine or anyone else’s—but to reflect and refine the workings of my own mind. To draw until the noise softens. To create until presence returns.
“Everything is Mind. Nothing exists outside of it.”
And so I draw.
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