Welcome to Meditations on a Photograph. A place where you can connect with the beauty that we so often take for granted, and where you can let your imagination take you on a journey that will end with you adding a bit of joy to your day and then you’ll fall asleep.

I’m Felipe Fenton. I am a photographer who loves taking pictures of details in nature and forgotten objects. The kinds of things that we usually wouldn’t notice as we go through the fast pace of modern life.

Let me tell you how this is going to work. For every episode I will choose a different photograph that I’ve taken. I will describe it to you in as fine a detail as I can. Every nook and cranny of the image, the emotion that the subject of the photograph made me feel and which led to me pressing the shutter button on my camera. Let your mind navigate the image with me, so much so that you let yourself get lost in it. Let the beauty of the objects I describe to you soothe your mind and put you to rest, and probably, before I’m done, you’ll be sound asleep.

Like any meditation, it may take you a couple of tries to get your mind to go with the flow. But if you’re patient, you will find that it gets easier and easier to bring yourself to a state of relaxation and finally to a nice, deep sleep.

This is our very first episode, and I’d like to dedicate it to my mother Anna, one of the strongest, most beautiful people I’ve ever had the privilege to meet.

The image that I will be describing tonight is called “PACHYSTACHYS LUTEA NO. 01”

Whether you're choosing to listen in bed or curled up in your favorite spot, settle in somewhere that feels peaceful to you. And when you’re ready, close your eyes and let go.

Now take a slow, deep breath in through your nose.

Let it out with a sigh.

Continue to find a position where you feel the most comfortable. That might mean finding just the right spot so that your head and neck feel the most amount of support or letting your arms rest at your sides. It's always good to start with a little self-pampering so that as we go along, your body can continue to release any tension it might be holding.

One more time. Breathe in. And let it out with nice, long sigh.

PACHYSTACHYS LUTEA NO. 01

Imagine we're stepping into a serene garden where the air is fresh with a subtle fragrance. As you take another breath in, think of this wonderful scent traveling up your nose, down your throat and out your mouth. 

Before us is a delicate flower, standing with a bold and vibrant presence. Its petals form a striking silhouette reminiscent of a flame – pointed and reaching elegantly upwards towards the sky.

The petals have the warm, glowing hues of a sunset, predominantly a rich, deep orange, like that of a gentle fire or the ember of a welcoming hearth. This fiery color is tinged with subtle streaks of yellow, reminiscent of sunlight filtering through a honey-colored lens. At the flower's heart, where the petals join, the orange deepens to a burnt umber, suggesting a hidden depth and complexity within.

Breaking this cascade of warmth, two unexpected petals of a different color make a surprising appearance. They are the purest white, with just a hint of creamy yellow at their bases where they attach to the rest of the flower. These petals are like the flicker of a white flame or the first light of dawn breaking the night's hold, bringing contrast and balance to the flower's fiery display.

Let your breath be easy and let your body continue to soften and relax.

The petals have a velvety texture, smooth and perhaps delicate to the touch. The edges of the petals might have a subtle ruffle, giving them a delicate grace.

Allow yourself to feel pleasure at the thought of this magnificent gift from nature.

Surrounding the flower, the background is a soft, out-of-focus green, suggesting a lush and verdant environment. This natural backdrop could evoke the sense of coolness and moisture, a contrast to the warm and vibrant flower that seems to almost float within this verdant space.

This flower stands as a single, vivid statement of beauty, a bright focal point in the gentle embrace of nature's greenery. It's a fleeting moment captured in time, a vibrant dance of color and life that is both fiery and serene.

Let your breath be easy and let your body sink into your bed, or your couch, or your favorite resting spot. Imagine that this spot is in out in the field next to this flower. 

The sun is shining down upon you. You can feel the warmth on your face. The weather… well, the weather is just… perfect. Not too hot, not too cold. Just right.

There is a soft breeze that sways the flower gently. Let your worries float away with this wind. Hear its gentle howl as it takes them far away from you. The sound of the wind is mixed with that of the insects living in the field. Is it crickets that you hear? Cicadas maybe? Like a symphony brought down to a murmur. Unpredictable, lovely, perfectly imperfect.

Smell the fragrant air all around. Take a deep breath. Exhale. Let the wonderful smell of spring come in through your nose. Out through your mouth.

As you rest in the warmth of the colors of this beautiful flower, focus your mind on a feeling of gratitude. Gratitude for the privilege of living in a world that surrounds you with so much beauty, if you’re willing to open your eyes and your heart to it. Let this feeling of gratitude guide you into a state of deep relaxation.

Thank you for taking this journey with me. May you have a peaceful rest. See you next time.