A year ago, I didn't think that I would eventually carve Kwan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy. It seemed too elaborate and impossible to achieve. Although standing at only 8.5 cm tall and 3 cm in breadth, the intricacy involved in carving little Kwan Yin from a rectangular block seemed too much to take on. Nevertheless, Ogasawara sensei encouraged me to try it, and sat with me for hours guiding me in the process.

In retrospect, it was indeed a long process, and thinking about another go at it elicits a moment of reluctance, of cowardice. I recall how natural and interesting the actual process was as I was engrossed in the carving, and realize how quickly one might push away an experience that may, in the mind, initially seem too difficult. But if one can completely allow oneself to be in the experience without anticipating how it might be, each moment that we're present in the experience feels rich and meaningful.

Below is a photo of some of the stages of the carving process.