Miksang, meaning ‘Good Eye’ in Tibetan, highlights our innate ability to perceive the world purely and directly, free from judgments and biases. Photo Credit: Mitsue Nagase.

Miksang: Good Eye

The Art of Seeing — An Introduction to Miksang Photography

In today’s world of photography, where advanced techniques and technology often steal the spotlight, a quieter, more profound approach exists, Miksang. Rooted in mindfulness, Miksang is a Tibetan term for “Good Eye.” This meditative form of photography invites us to experience the world with a deep sense of clarity, seeing beyond conventional methods and technicalities. In this article, we’ll explore the origins, philosophy, and practice of Miksang photography and how it can bring a fresh sense of awareness to our everyday lives.

“Plainess is the extreme end of brilliance.“

–Sun Dongpo

The Origins and History of Miksang

Miksang photography emerged from the contemplative arts tradition inspired by Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, a renowned Tibetan Buddhist teacher. Trungpa Rinpoche brought many aspects of Tibetan Buddhism to the West and laid the foundation for Miksang as an artistic discipline. His teachings on Dharma Art encouraged the synchrony of the eye and the mind, offering a fresh perception of the world around us.

Trungpa’s students, Michael Wood and Julie DuBose, further developed the practice. Together, they formalized Miksang’s teachings, blending photography with mindfulness. This unique approach emphasizes a profound, unfiltered way of seeing that is unclouded by judgments, biases, or preconceived notions.

Miksang, meaning ‘Good Eye’ in Tibetan, highlights our innate ability to perceive the world purely and directly, free from judgments and biases.

What Is Miksang?

At its essence, Miksang photography taps into the “Good Eye” within each of us, meaning we can see the world in its purest form. Instead of framing the world through lenses of preference, dislike, or indifference, Miksang encourages direct visual engagement with what is there.

This style of photography rejects artificial manipulation or staging. Instead, it captures vivid, authentic moments with clarity and freshness. By clearing away mental distractions, the photographer and viewer can experience the world in its raw, unfiltered beauty.

The Journey of Miksang

Practicing Miksang goes beyond learning photography — it’s about embarking on a journey toward mindful awareness. The practice cultivates an open mind and a deep connection to the present moment. Miksang photographers train to dissolve distractions, revealing the beauty in even the most ordinary scenes.

Unlike traditional photography, which focuses on technical skills, Miksang is about embracing purity in perception. It’s about cultivating a new way of seeing — a unique blend of simplicity, presence, and clarity.

It embodies a contemplative photography style inspired by Chögyam Trungpa’s Dharma Art teachings, in which the eye harmonizes with the introspective mind. Photo Credit: Mitsue Nagase.

Bringing Miksang Into Daily Life

Miksang is not limited to the camera. It’s a philosophy that can enrich everyday life. By slowing down and paying attention to the subtle details that often go unnoticed — colors, textures, patterns, or the way light falls — we begin to incorporate the Miksang mindset.

Over time, this mindful seeing practice expands beyond photography, affecting how we engage with the world around us. The small, overlooked moments in life become opportunities for reflection, helping us cultivate a more mindful and appreciative approach to living.

Examples of Miksang photography would typically focus on capturing ordinary moments with extraordinary clarity and simplicity.

Here are some examples to illustrate this approach:

1. Patterns and Textures: A close-up of intricate patterns formed by cracked paint on an old wall, highlighting the beauty of decay through its texture and detail.
2. Play of Light and Shadow: Shadows cast by a railing on a sunlit pavement create an abstract composition through the contrast of light and shape.
3. Color and Contrast: A vibrant red leaf resting on green grass emphasizes the simplicity and vibrancy of color through its striking contrast.
4. Reflections: A building’s reflection in a rain puddle captures the interplay of light and water, transforming the ordinary into something extraordinary.
5. Everyday Objects: A single chair against a brightly painted wall draws attention to the relationship between the object and its space, inviting contemplation on form and function.
6. Found Still Life: Objects naturally arranged — such as fallen autumn leaves on a sidewalk — emphasize their inherent beauty and organic composition.

Conclusion

Miksang photography is more than just capturing a good picture; it’s about seeing life through a new lens of clarity, mindfulness, and appreciation. Practicing Miksang deepens our connection to the present moment, enriching our photography and life perspective. Amid our busy, complex lives, Miksang gently reminds us to slow down, look closely, and rediscover the beauty in simplicity.

Kazuaki Tanahashi: Renowned artist Kaz Tanahashi explores the spiritual depth and symbolism of Zen gardens in *Gardens of Awakening*. Featuring over 75 breathtaking full-color photographs by Mitsue Nagase, the book offers a contemplative journey through the centuries-old Zen temple gardens of Kyōto, Japan. Tanahashi’s insightful essays reveal the rich history and principles behind these meditative landscapes, inviting readers to experience the timeless beauty and seven qualities of Zen aesthetics: direct, ordinary, vigorous, gleaming, pivotal, nondual, and inexhaustible. Photo Credit: Mitsue Nagase.

About the Authors of “Gardens of Awakening”

Kazuaki Tanahashi is an accomplished Japanese calligrapher, Zen teacher, author, and translator of Buddhist texts from Japanese and Chinese to English, most notably works by Dogen. Photo Credit: Mitsue Nagase abd Social Media.

Kazuaki Tanahashi, a master calligrapher, painter, and writer, is internationally recognized for bringing Zen art and philosophy to the West. His artistic creations blend traditional Japanese techniques with contemporary insights, bridging ancient wisdom and modern expression. His work in “Gardens of Awakening” reflects this harmony, capturing the natural world’s quiet beauty with deep mindfulness.

Tanahashi’s work is deeply rooted in the traditions of Japanese calligraphy, a discipline passed down through generations. As my Japanese calligraphy teacher, he has imparted not only technical skills but a profound appreciation for the contemplative spirit within the art form. Through his teachings, I have come to understand the depth of simplicity and the power of mindfulness in every brushstroke, much like the essence of Miksang photography.

One who embodies nothing particular is a precious person. –Master Rinzai, Linji Yixuan

Mitsue Nagase is a Miksang photographer. Miksang, meaning ‘good eye’ in Tibetan, is a contemplative photography style inspired by Chögyam Trungpa’s Dharma Art. It synchronizes the eye with the introspective mind, offering a unique perception of the world. Her images invite viewers into the photographer’s original contemplative state, revealing a purer reality often overlooked. Miksang requires no special setup, only a mindful capture of everyday moments. Photo Credit: Social Media.

Mitsue Nagase, the photographer behind the stunning visuals in “Gardens of Awakening,” is known for her ability to encapsulate serenity and simplicity through her lens. Much like Tanahashi’s calligraphy, her photography conveys a deep connection to nature, inviting viewers to pause and appreciate life’s fleeting, delicate moments. Tanahashi and Nagase’s collaboration in this book creates a visual and meditative experience that speaks to the soul.

Chögyam Trungpa’s Dharma Art teachings, where the eye harmonizes with the introspective mind.

Kazuaki Tanahashi and Mitsue Nagase. Miksang invites photographers to see these everyday elements, devoid of narrative or distraction, encouraging a mindful appreciation of the world’s subtler details. Photo Credit: Social Media.

Miksang invites photographers to see these everyday elements, devoid of narrative or distraction, encouraging a mindful appreciation of the world’s subtler details.