What a fab team the two of you are! Love the name chosen for this channel....the Zen Haggis!!! Because Scotland is my beloved adopted home that name plays a beautiful tune in my head, and I see the rolling hills covered in purple heathers, the glistening lochs, the magical glens, the clear streams of icy water running within the deep cuts in the landscape. I feel the cool breeze caressing the skin of my face, or more often enjoy the force of the wind against my body while wondering around the bare and open hills waiting for nature to surprise me. I love and never get enough of the colours and the textures of the Scottish landscapes. They are so magical and so enchanting and cannot stop the urge to record every little detail with my camera. I feel so strongly what I see with my eyes and perceive with all my senses and then I have to create. Photography is many things to me, is a personal and creative way of expression, it is therapy, it is meditation, it is zen. I use it to heal or overcome all challenges in my life, physical, emotional, mental and it helps me to grow inwardly, it puts me in touch with the world of spirit, that world that lots of native cultures knew very well. Photography is part of me and I'm part of photography. Nature is my favourite studio space where I go and create my visual and conceptual stories. Nature is also the perfect environment to connect with the zen of photography, or at least it is for me. Yes, I too believe and have learnt that we can make changes in every moment of our lives. It is a lot simpler than most think. It is a simple shift in mental perspective. Like we can change the look, feel and meaning of a subject depending on the focal perspective used with our camera, it is the same within our mind...and voila...the magic happens. Financial richness or a high fly career have never been my main focus in this life. What I've always wanted most is to feel alive, to live with a deep sense of freedom, not to ever put myself in a box, and to stay away as much as possible from stressful jobs. Life is so precious and too short to waste it running after false ideals pushed on us by a crazy society, that is imposing a far too fast way of living causing more and more physical and mental illnesses and unhappiness within the entire human race. Yes we need to change, we need to focus on the real preciousness of life, laugh, love, play, and express gratitude for all we have and don't have. We need to focus on loving ourselves, so that we can love others and respect, respect, and appreciate all life without any distinctions. Your effort and work to help this process of change is always very much appreciated. So 🙏🏼 to both of you. You seem to be very beautiful people inside out. Thank you. 🌞🌈
Great opening segment for this new channel. I am about to turn 56 at the end of this year.....wow, amazing when I see that statement in writing.......and while I’ve been reasonably successful in my career, I’ve always felt out of place, like I have been chasing something that doesn’t feel right, something unnatural, and patently false. As a child I was extremely creative and also very curious, willing to try different things and always wanting to learn. Somewhere along the line I bought into what I call “society’s recipe”.......someone else’s expectations of what a satisfying life consists of. I abandoned, for the most part, my artistic side, and pursued a technical career (Engineering) that eventually turned into a more Sales/Business Development career. And frankly, my degree of satisfaction has decreased even further. Only since re-discovering photography, which was a passion of mine in junior high school, have I felt more peace, but also more stress, fearing that I’ve wasted too much of my life on “the wrong stuff”. Your two channels together now are a foundational piece of helping me swing back around to re-discovering my true passion and allowing myself the enjoyment of it!
Thanks so much Rick for your openness and degree of self-awareness. That is an all too familiar trend these days (probably since forever!!) - Obviously, it is not possible for everyone to be an artist! Nothing would get done, but there is a degree of balance required in all of us. At the same time, these changes can be so small, but have massive impact. We're really looking forward to making more content every week.
Rick Williams Photography , it is never to late to change! Don't look back, just look at where you, we only exist in the moment Rick. We often need to travel along strange roads to get to a place of understanding for what is really important in life. ✨🐬
I can very much relate to your background. I was in commercial banking for nearly 35 years where my anxiety pretty much led to depression and a breakdown. Like you, I have learnt so much by reading self help books, neuroscience and practicing mindfulness. I still get depressive periods but I can generally work myself out of them with my wife’s help. Sharing your feelings and by undertaking experiences where you are totally absorbed in the moment have been key as also noticing and appreciating all those little things which could pass you by. Seascape photography has been a real lifesaver in this respect. Despite all the good intentions and knowledge, keeping mindful is still extremely difficult for me and videos like these help you to keep on track. I think the Zen Haggis Channel will be of enormous benefit to people and dovetails in beautifully with your photographic work. Thank you.👍
Oys not often I add comments to you tube videos, but there was something that resonated very much with me. Its very much in tune with how I want and see my life being ,moving forward. But now it feels.like I have support that will help make it happen! So thank you Alistair! Looking forward to the next video.
So glad I followed you over here from "Expressive Photography". I'm looking forward to your future presentations and reflections. I have a background in biology and have also been through health issues that involved weight gain and chronic inflammation. I could definitely relate to the aches and pains you mentioned. I've solved these by delving into the best validated nutritional science. To pursue the health goals you mentioned, I recommend looking into the low carbohydrate lifestyle (for weight loss), intermittent fasting (for weight loss, cellular repair, cardiovascular health) or the ketogenic diet (for all the previous plus reduced inflammation, blood sugar and hormonal control, immune function, mental clarity and mood regulation). Wine, beer, cheese boards and haggis would not be off limits, either! All the best and see you next week.
I'm really interested in this series Alister. I'm 65 now and all the normal concerns suddenly seem more real than ever before and thus are often on my mind. I'm a little heavier than I'd like to be as well. I run four days per week but my diet has to change some as well. I blame it on Covid. Staying home more, eating out of stress rather than need, eating quick foods which are seldom healthy and the list goes on. Anyway, I'm glad you are doing this series so I'm in.
This very much resonates with me, the panic attacks, anxiety, depression, high pressure job, world travel, jet lag (until Covid). Getting into nature is my escape, and photography my therapy. I was very lucky that my first deep dive into photography was through a surprise birthday present from my Wife which was a one day workshop with William Neill in Yosemite, and I now call him a friend. When I first met him, he asked me what my goal in photography is, and I was a bit taken aback as I wasn't sure how to answer. I literally had just gotten a DSLR from using my iPhone as my sole camera. After some contemplation my answer then, as it is now, is it is my therapy. I still hesitate sometimes to share my photos as they are so personal to me, but I find myself through nature and photography. To me photography is all about relationships, with myself, the equipment and what i'm photographing. My relationship with myself changed so much to the better when I recognized that the beauty I can recognize and see in nature and in photography, is also within myself. Darkness cannot drive out darkness, but I also believe that only light can see light. If I can see this, I am not so bad. It helped tremendously. I very much appreciate the honest and authentic content you put out. When I watched your video with TJ Thorne, I said out loud, "these are my people!". I am curious to your thoughts about how much is the "change" about acceptance of self and being true to yourself and more about the change to let go vs a more of a cause and effect type change of "if I do x then I'll get Y". Thank you!
Firstly Brad thank you for your excellent and open comment. Apologies for the slow reply, I have been finishing my book. Acceptance of self is a dangerous one, as our perception of self is often flawed, Take the statement "I am a terrible person." This may, or may not be true. Acceptance of that as a given is self-sustaining a negative perception of ourselves. My take is that I am mindful of my weaknesses, I am equally aware of my strengths. My main armour is noticing when I am getting caught up in an emotion that is an escalation of a negative.
@@TheZenHaggis Thank you. I appreciate your response. You gave me something to contemplate about mindfulness of both weakness and strength and awareness of the emotional response and meaning we may give it.
Great start to your new UA-cam channel! As our world continues to spin out of control it’s so easy to spend our days in an anxious state. Thank you for giving me insight! Pick one thing each day to find joy in and be thankful for. Thanks.
My history is similar to yours, and from reading the comments below it's clear that many people experience a similar crisis in their fifties. Once I retired, I returned to an old interest - the study of Buddhism, so I am looking forward to your stories and reflections. Bad things happen, but we can learn to control, or least modify, how we react to them.
Thanks Tom. I had my crisis much earlier in life and my 50’s have been great (so far.) I agree that how we react (or not) to any given scenario is far more influential on our thoughts and emotions than the event itself. Equanimity and acceptance; powerful allies in our lives.
Hi Alister: Congratulations on the creation of this first video for your new UA-cam channel. You are absolutely correct in saying it is never too late to change. After all 'Change' is the only thing in everyone's life that is consistent. I am also reflecting on your personal admission about your weight, and I must admit that over 8 months I to have added on some poundage. Time again to get out and do more. I will periodically share with you on how this is going. Keep safe....keep happy....and keep creating. Cheers, Keith (Canada)
What a wonderful way to pass a few well spent minutes listening to your nuggets of wisdom. At 68, and now after a forty + year career in medicine, often dwelling in the land of professional burnout, my weight has dropped almost 12kg and the blood pressure is radically improved. You nailed it on the essentials in our everyday outlook on the way we live and our approach to the slings and arrows of the world. This is a marvellous oasis. See you next Sunday.
Came here from your Expressive Photography channel. Great initiative and I am looking forward to learning and growing. All the things you said about living a happy life enjoying the cheese boards wine chips...yup....I just finished the potatoe chips and was thinking, I'm doing something right...not. LOL. This whole COVID pandemic has really thrown me, know I'm not alone, for a loop. My biggest problem is I procrastinate too much and I'm so good at it - that has to change. I'm looking forward to catching up and following this chanel. Thank you for all you do...I could listen to you all day...you have such a soothing and calm voice.
Great video Alister; I love that you've started this channel. Your expressive photography channel has had such a positive impact on my approach to photography and the enjoyment that I get out of it. This channel dovetails into that perfectly. I'm very appreciative of your time, candor and thoughts.
Once again you strike the right cord... I let a big gasp as you described your time in international finance and traveling due to work- so similar to my domestic sales jobs here in the US. Yes Hilton and American Airlines status was somehow something of a positive in a warped way. But now since Covid has restricted all the travel for work... it all seems so fake and on the wrong path. As you found reading philosophy and other books outside of work topics put a band aid on the situation- I would do the same during my travel. (My travel was 5 hours or less)... maybe in a future video you can share the tipping point that made you decide to make the change that you did. I will celebrate my 20th Anniversary at this company next year and not sure why I should not jump out to the unknown and seek this more balanced life goals because as you describe the end is coming for all of us... we just do not know the exact timing... A big thank you
Hey Chris, thanks again for your really open comment. Yes, perhaps I will talk about that, although like most tipping points, they are much more than a single moment, except the waking up part, which is instantaneous.
I had made a comment on your other channel about my struggles with mental health. This has been a great introduction to this channel. I think it can be safely said that you are a wonderful philanthropist. The thought and care that you put into this is certainly remarkable. Thank you for this.
This is fantastic. As I get older, I tend to get more introspective and this is a perfect forum to contemplate life-changing topics. A combination of psychology and philosophy that goes directly at the core of who we are as people and photographers. Looking forward to the weekly segments.
Thank you for sharing your experience. Society needs to redefine “success” and what is truly important. Too many of us have been brainwashed into thinking that money and material possessions are the end goals. We end up losing the moment by worrying about our next step, our next purchase. Thank you for creating this platform.
Aside from the other interesting thoughts covered, I have two words...Intermittent Fasting...I practice extreme clean fasting every day; it helps me focus my mind and I am most creative during this phase of my day. Edited: I forgot to say, I also lost a stone!
Thank you for your openness Alister, this is really inspiring. Struggling with my always anxious mind in these frightning (pandemic) times I find that creativity really helps me to put things in another light. It's so helpful to know that I'm not in this alone and that others like you have searched for and found ways to deal with these external and internal challenges. As an amateur-photographer I often feel like going out to make photo's but I cannot always find subjects that really inspire me. In the next weeks I will commit myself to applying the concept of noticing on the everyday things around me so I can be more present and more engaged. I'm really looking forward to the next episodes on this channel!
Thank you so much for your kind words, they mean a great deal. Noticing is the gift that keeps giving. It helps with creativity, and it helps with our thinking and emotional spirals.
Alister this is a wonderful channel you’ve created, thank you so much... I’m 65, still working full time although not in photography, perhaps someday that will come to fruition. I work in the aviation field as a stores clerk. Things are slow due to the preset state of the world, thus I spend a lot of time sitting and thinking. When I do have something to keep me occupied it feels much better, I have a sense of self worth. Sadly, I’d imagine there are a lot of folks in this same predicament... I’m hopeful that this world problem will somehow right itself and we’ll all get back to a somewhat normal life once again. Lately I’ve been thinking that I may be one of the lucky ones in that I’ve pretty much finished with my working life while the younger generations are forced to deal with this monstrous problem... Time will tell what is to be... At any rate I’m enjoying your new series immensely.
Great 1st episode, Guys. I am a 63 year old, 103kg, shift worker from the NE of Scotland with lots of spare time on my hands. My problem is that although I love getting out and about, at times I cannot muster up the enthusiasm and this really gets me down. I think this new channel is just the thing to get me to think differently. I also need to loose weight but if I dropped to your weight I'd look like an X-Ray in a simmit!! LOL Thanks and look forward to the next episode. Mike
Thanks for this Alister, the past few months have concentrated my attention on photography as a means of finding contentment/happiness. I discovered your photo channel about a month ago, and this new strand has come along at the right time for me. I look forward to future videos in this series.
It's never too late...I started my UA-cam channel a year ago as a means to share my photography, jumping in the deep end with UA-cam, vlogging and videography. For me it's a creative escape from my day job involving software. I have something to focus on that is an enjoyable challenge and a welcome distraction.
I enjoyed listening. I’ve been reevaluating my life over the last year and I soon learnt it’s not like you wake up the next day and everything is different, it’s a long process and easy to slip into old ways. Thank you for the timely reminder to expel that gremlin that I left it too late.
Thanks so much for this. Balance and happiness is what we should all strive for, it's not easy but once we apply what's important for our mental and well-being with what's important for our family's and find the balance we are on a road to happiness.....I hope. Thank you Alister.
Thanks and good luck with the new channel and, as always, your ideas are worth thinking seriously about. However, I won’t be looking forward to next week’s episode because that would mean racing to towards the future.
Thank you Alistair for sharing with us all on this wonderful new channel you and Christine have created. With the gorgeous video and music footage you are teaching us to be more in the moment. I watched for ten minutes the other day watching a spider spin its web, truly magical ✨
Alister your timing is perfect. At 57 I retired early two months ago. I've spent a lot of time reflecting on directions I've wandered off too and am in process of remembering what I enjoy and getting back to those. With that being said I look forward to future episodes.
Hello Mr. Benn. First of all I would like to thank you for the great Expressive Photography UA-cam Channel. Thanks to your videos and books, I was able to know so much and learn so much in a very short time. Your way of photography touches me and I have the feeling that I understand your pictures. The reason for this comment is actually a different one. If I understand you correctly, you want to achieve your desired weight again by the end of the year, which has to do with a change in diet. I would be happy to give you something back. So I can only recommend a purely plant-based diet to you. What not only changes your life and your health so positively and easily but also the enormous influence on our planet and the nature we adore and the creatures living in it. Please do not understand this commentary as a sermon or proselytizing but as a kind of idea. As an intelligent species, we need to understand and see how much agony, suffering and destruction we cause and I think it is sane for everyone to reduce this to a large extent. Every change starts with a small spark. I hope that I can be this for you. I look forward to much more inspiration from you. Kind regards, Martin.
Thanks Martin, Ann and I are moving very much in that direction. Big reduction in alcohol, and my other nemesis, sugar!! I've done this before, and I am usually in my very healthy fit range, with good numbers to go with it, but this last year I've been weak!
You're a ray of positivity and logic Alister. I've always loved your philosophy with creativity and this really reflects on your outlook on life. Many thanks for the video man, it really helps me a lot to reflect on my own life . I honestly can't thank you enough
A super start to the channel Alister I think this is going to be a fascinating adventure, and I use that word deliberately as it is an adventure taking deliberate control of your life. We will have to compare waistlines when we next meet up!! 😄😄
Great first episode to this new channel. Although your teachings are nothing new to the way I live my life, I appreciate the work and love you put into these videos. I can tell you really care about it all. That matters more than anything. I am looking forward to learning how to "desolve" the box, since I sort like my boxes. They help keep me organized so to speak. (:
:-) thanks for that, and I am pleased to hear you are happy in your lifestyle. Dissolving the box has been recorded today! I could have made it 50 different ways. Some boxes are great, like ones to organise screws :-)
Excellent video and a message that resonates with me. I am in the fortunate position of recently retiring early at 54. I have a long list of creative hobbies, activity and travel to keep me fulfilled. However I often fall into the trap of pushing things off to next week or next month rather than making the most of every day. So looking forward to making a change with inspiration from this channel.
I hear you, I have had to really discipline myself to make each day count and make sure I don't let things just slide. I've been self-employed since I was 25 and have become quite good at not just killing time.
Very good show. Looking forward to next week. In my hippy days back in the 70’s I thought I was dissolving the box when all I was really doing was shaping a new box to be in.
I'm about to turn 67 and it's taken me that additional 13 years over you to reach the life epiphany you're talking about. But I've learned that even for me, it's still not too late to enjoy life and enjoy learning new skills! I wasn't happy during my own career in civil service because i was always a frustrated artist. Now in retirement, I'm indulging myself in photography and video, teaching myself the latter as a brand-new skill just since July. As a lifelong fitness enthusiast (because "bodybuilder" sounds freaky to some), I look forward to following your journey towards your target weight and fitness level.
@@JohnDrummondPhoto Thanks again John. I have been so much healthier and stronger in the past, but have let it go. I can still rip out 10 pull-ups, but just generally, I need to get it back. I'm lucky that I was always fit - so getting it back isn't so bad, but harder the older we get. Those beers sit a lot longer round the middle!!
I've spent my life fitting into what other people wanted from life. Since losing my partner to his depression, I've realised it's time to live for me. I'm determined to learn how to use my D850, while I see this amazing country of Australia, where I am lucky enough to live. I'm rapidly approaching 60, so it's time for a huge change. I have a few health issues but hopefully, once I get myself into a happy state, my health will naturally follow. Thanks for this video, Alister, I wish you the best of luck with the channel.
Thanks Kerry. I am so sorry to hear about your partner, it is brutal how hard life can be. Thanks for being so open. Health pretty much is everything, mental or physical.
A wonderful video to start out the new channel, Alister. I'm about the same age as you and have had a pretty rough time these last few years. Five years ago I lost my spouse of over twenty years and was in a pretty bad tailspin for awhile, luckily I was able to pull out of it about a year ago. Knew I had to truly move on so sold the house and downsized, and like you mentioned had to "re-learn" how to appreciate each moment...the future isn't guaranteed so you need to embrace the now. It's very true, it's never too late to change...and unfortunately sometimes the change is forced. Your insights and message about finding the essence creativity and expression are great, I'm looking forward to being part of the growth of this channel. BTW, I love the term "happy weight", doesn't make me feel so bad now. haha.
Thank you so much for your kind words of support, I truly appreciate them. Also, I am so sorry to hear of your loss; I find that concept still unimaginable, and it will be a great test of my equanimity when I lose a parent or loved on. Happy weight has to go!! Before it becomes unhappy heart disease!
@@TheZenHaggis Thank you for saying that, it's really appreciated. As for the extra "luggage" I put on, I've been limiting carbs and going back into the waves again, thankfully that's been working. Cheers from Hawaii!
You have some great wisdom to pass along. Thanks for sharing some of your insights. I am sorry to learn about Jacks passing. I always enjoyed his work.
Top content! Wow video footage! Artistic work in editing (those place swapping & pan video in important moment are wonderful!) As for me: i began worried about my Focus of View (at what things i emphasis) and i gain a choise: what to interest in (what to invest the time other words) and what to ignore (such as past principles & habits). And there are many backgrounds which are helping me: some old-faithful philosophy studies, few old advanced friends of mine, some new business couching and even such Artist as You, Alister! You are all good friends, even if you don't know me :) Thanks for video & meditation. Good luck & keep doing.
good video. Thanks. I only notice you as it popped up on mine and I notice that your Thumbnail uses a similar photo that my publisher used for my book by the same name: Never Too Late. And that is great. This is an important subject and I enjoyed your video. For me, my own book NEVER TOO LATE is my mantra and manual as I now seek to embrace the greatest challenge of my life: Cross the North Pacific from Tokyo to Vancouver by sailboat solo. I have subscribed to you channel and look forward to being enriched by it.
Looks to be an interesting channel! I am soon to be on earth 68 years. The women in my family seem to die from strokes. I am determined to break that trend. As children we spend our time trying to please our parents, then teachers and then perhaps a spouse and an employer. I have reached that time when I strive to please myself. Finding the things that bring me pleasure and joy. I feel blessed that my camera brings me those things and it like to hike with me. I look forward to enjoying what you will share in the future.
Great video Alister. Good luck with the weight loss. Been on my own mission since last November. Great first video, loved the inspirational images and music at the end. Very soothing. Dare I say, very Zen Haggis?? 😄 Good luck with the channel!!
Good stuff 👍 the concept of Thanatos is often very relevant to us 50 somethings. Best thing I ever did to feel more in control of my life was a wholefood plant based diet.
At the age of 40 I thought I had nailed it by giving up engineering and becoming an artist. Ten years, a degree and pgce later I had to put my career on hold for spend 8 years. I had to learn a whole other set of skills that helped me forget all those artistic and teaching skills... I did become quite handy with a macro lens in the back garden though, ...which led me to believe I could start afresh as a photographer. Little did I know how fickle and devilish photography had become! At 62 I really, really don't want to change again! I am fed up of change and having to keep on reinventing myself! I am quite literally the last person on Earth that you would come to or expect to discuss change and yet it is pretty much the only constant in my life. It is really ironic that you would start your Zen Haggis journey with this particular topic! I weigh 70kg (I don't even know what that means), now if you ask me, I actually weigh 11stone... when did we start weighing people in kilograms? Another inexplicable change that really doesn't agree with my dyslexic brain's disenchantment with change. I lost exactly one stone about the time that I started having anxiety attacks, that was nearly 2 years ago, I had been 12 stone since... I don't know when. I suppose 60 years without really showing any dramatic outward signs of anxiety was quite an achievement, I suppose I have yoga and the obliviousness of youth to thank for that. I want to be an fine artist/photographer but for some reason I am being thwarted, I mean, there is some really heavy duty "thwart" in my life! And you are advising me it is never too late to change... really? This is not helping... who's side are you on? You're with them aren't you? ... I'm not even the paranoid version of me right now! Perhaps this is just another fork in the road that I decided to shove up my own bum... I used to blame the parents, now I just blame everybody else until I reflect for a while and blame myself... I don't blame you Alister I blame myself. That was a bit abstract wasn't it? My apologies, I can't take myself seriously any more...
Thanks for the long and open message. Change doesn't have to be dramatic, sometimes even the tiniest thing can trigger massive shifts in perspective. I'm not trying to take sides, or make sides, or grow a cult; simply sharing a bunch of things that have helped me over the years, and if some of those resonate and help others, then great.
@@TheZenHaggis Apologies for the nervous breakdown at the end there. I'm a drama queen and prone to hyperbole! ...I pronounced that [haɪˈpɜːbəli] in my head, hypabowl is for wimps!
Your message really resonate to me and more importantly coming from a fellow photographer, I can relate to your experience and the impact creativity as on us. I am taking you up on the challenge and I will also work on making a few things differently in my life to get better.
Great. I will be making a video in the next few weeks about the language we use with ourselves, and that has such a huge impact... Thanks so much for watching.
Hi Alister. I love the format. I also love the meditative music. Any chance of disclosing it? Like you, my background is varied. I have been in the wine industry most of my adult life. I found it very enriching and rewarding. In addition, I have been a tax accountant for the last thirty years. People get very nervous when you are dealing with their money and the government, as if the result was my fault. It is very stressful. To help alleviate that, I'm in the process of altering my practice to only helping people who run into tax trouble with the revenue folks. At least I may not get yelled at. That pays the bills. It is still stressful, causing me to not sleep, put on too much weight, develop back and leg problems, as well as a occasional grumpiness. But the photography muse is very strong. I am a creative person, the soul of an artist. Artists in my family go back generations. However, I find myself in the middle of the right brain left brain conundrum. I feel too much left brain leads to these unhappy conditions. Too much right brain can lead to a lack of direction, even though we want to focus on creativity and growth. I think that is where I find myself today. I have had a camera in my hand since I was eight years old (I'm seventy-two now YIKES). But I also feel that I am beginning a new journey. Very slowly, I've rediscovered a new sense of purpose. Many times you have asked why we photograph. For me, not only is it an act of creating to satisfy my inner self, but also to leave a record of what I experienced on this earth in a single moment in time, for anyone who wishes to see it. I'm looking forward to further episodes. Thank you for the idea.
Thanks so much for your open and honest comment. I really appreciate that. Yes, finding balance is always the key, I think art and our appreciation of the aesthetic is a way to externalise some of these troubles. Lots more coming from The Zen Haggis....
Congratulations on this initiative Alistair, I'll be with you all the way! Just some feedback on the use of the 'snap-zoom' in the video editing, perhaps overused/too frequent? All the very best and looking forward to your next one!
I don't know about everyone else, but I'd love to hear an original music score performed by you for the next video... just trying to spread some of that inspiration. Cheers!
Thanks, yes I have. I lived in Tibet for 7 years and have very close relationships with some Lamas and spent a great deal of time in the monasteries discussing beliefs and philosophy with the. In my own practice now I don't work within the parameters of the ceremonial, or even the spiritual. I am essentially atheistic, but have a strong sense of using mindfulness to address the monkey mind and the human condition of creating a lot of our own suffering.
As for a Buddhist practitioner myself (also Tibetan tradition) it has been pretty obvious for some time that you Alister is “in tune” with Buddhist thought and ways of viewing life. As an artist and photographer myself its been very rewarding for me to learn about your views on how you function both as a creative person and a practitioner of a spiritual path (if you want to call it that). I wish you the best and good luck with your new channel. “Ohm Mani Padme Hung”
Also i wonder how many skills do you learn: all what is needed to take good place in the World: music, photography, writing and finances )) And ofc Peace in Soul.
So if being "set in your ways" is basically doing the same things in the same ways, I fail to see the difference between that and "expertise", except that an "expert" is just REALLY GOOD at doing the same things in the same ways. Isn't it ironic how the difference between the near universal condemnation of the one and praise of the other, is merely doing what is condemned long enough to become praised for it. Maybe the praise the "expert" receives is not so much for WHAT they do, but the PERSISTENCE with which they do it. I think this makes for an interesting contrast with "creativity", or doing different things and/or in different ways. Again I'm reminded of this article; personalityjunkie.com/05/creativity-expertise-personality-ability/ , as so often I am with so many of your videos.
Thanks for your comment. I don’t think anyone argues on the virtues of expertise as a result of repetitious positive action. I think you know that I am referring to the opposite, which is repetitive behaviours resulting in negative outcomes. I suspect a far higher percentage of people can identify with the late later rather than the former.
@@Alister_Benn Absolutely. I suppose I was more musing on the idea that the two outcomes are separated by such potentially slight variations in actions and how difficult it can sometimes be to know the difference until you get to the other end. I can personally think of a few instances where the "repetitive actions" seemed correct, until I got to the end and realized that I had just gotten really quite good at doing something wrong. I guess this is where self-awareness comes in.
Great video. I certainly need to loose more weight, recently lost 1 stone and down to 17 stone. (107kg). Last year I was forced into a change, having left my job and not my personal choice to. Although nightshifts and shift patterns were making me unwell, so there is a little positive in what I went through. Not the best of times to be making Photography my way of bringing in income. I am sure you have come across Miracle Morning book by Hal Elrod.
Get on a bike, Allister... I shipped a stone in 6 weeks just by riding 3 days a week and making some slightly wiser choices around beer. I was 94kg! My target is 84. What I will say is that I was as miserable as sin when I was fat. Even getting shoes on was an ordeal. Never again.
@@Alister_Benn on the road. And only around 30km, occasionally 50 if had time, at a reasonably high intensity. It's good for the soul, seriously cleansing if you really put effort in, it hurts so much you can think of nothing else 😂. Definitely type 2 fun. The sort of thing you only enjoy once you've done it, especially if the weather is dicey.
Well you look OK to me, at 109 KG i would never get near 75KG ever I was 92 KG at 18 yrs old when played Hockey. Dont think i would be able to do Highland Games at under 90KG !
What a fab team the two of you are!
Love the name chosen for this channel....the Zen Haggis!!! Because Scotland is my beloved adopted home that name plays a beautiful tune in my head, and I see the rolling hills covered in purple heathers, the glistening lochs, the magical glens, the clear streams of icy water running within the deep cuts in the landscape. I feel the cool breeze caressing the skin of my face, or more often enjoy the force of the wind against my body while wondering around the bare and open hills waiting for nature to surprise me. I love and never get enough of the colours and the textures of the Scottish landscapes. They are so magical and so enchanting and cannot stop the urge to record every little detail with my camera. I feel so strongly what I see with my eyes and perceive with all my senses and then I have to create. Photography is many things to me, is a personal and creative way of expression, it is therapy, it is meditation, it is zen. I use it to heal or overcome all challenges in my life, physical, emotional, mental and it helps me to grow inwardly, it puts me in touch with the world of spirit, that world that lots of native cultures knew very well. Photography is part of me and I'm part of photography. Nature is my favourite studio space where I go and create my visual and conceptual stories. Nature is also the perfect environment to connect with the zen of photography, or at least it is for me.
Yes, I too believe and have learnt that we can make changes in every moment of our lives.
It is a lot simpler than most think.
It is a simple shift in mental perspective. Like we can change the look, feel and meaning of a subject depending on the focal perspective used with our camera, it is the same within our mind...and voila...the magic happens.
Financial richness or a high fly career have never been my main focus in this life. What I've always wanted most is to feel alive, to live with a deep sense of freedom, not to ever put myself in a box, and to stay away as much as possible from stressful jobs. Life is so precious and too short to waste it running after false ideals pushed on us by a crazy society, that is imposing a far too fast way of living causing more and more physical and mental illnesses and unhappiness within the entire human race. Yes we need to change, we need to focus on the real preciousness of life, laugh, love, play, and express gratitude for all we have and don't have. We need to focus on loving ourselves, so that we can love others and respect, respect, and appreciate all life without any distinctions. Your effort and work to help this process of change is always very much appreciated. So 🙏🏼 to both of you. You seem to be very beautiful people inside out. Thank you. 🌞🌈
Great opening segment for this new channel. I am about to turn 56 at the end of this year.....wow, amazing when I see that statement in writing.......and while I’ve been reasonably successful in my career, I’ve always felt out of place, like I have been chasing something that doesn’t feel right, something unnatural, and patently false. As a child I was extremely creative and also very curious, willing to try different things and always wanting to learn. Somewhere along the line I bought into what I call “society’s recipe”.......someone else’s expectations of what a satisfying life consists of. I abandoned, for the most part, my artistic side, and pursued a technical career (Engineering) that eventually turned into a more Sales/Business Development career. And frankly, my degree of satisfaction has decreased even further. Only since re-discovering photography, which was a passion of mine in junior high school, have I felt more peace, but also more stress, fearing that I’ve wasted too much of my life on “the wrong stuff”. Your two channels together now are a foundational piece of helping me swing back around to re-discovering my true passion and allowing myself the enjoyment of it!
Thanks so much Rick for your openness and degree of self-awareness. That is an all too familiar trend these days (probably since forever!!) - Obviously, it is not possible for everyone to be an artist! Nothing would get done, but there is a degree of balance required in all of us. At the same time, these changes can be so small, but have massive impact.
We're really looking forward to making more content every week.
Rick Williams Photography , it is never to late to change! Don't look back, just look at where you, we only exist in the moment Rick. We often need to travel along strange roads to get to a place of understanding for what is really important in life. ✨🐬
I can very much relate to your background. I was in commercial banking for nearly 35 years where my anxiety pretty much led to depression and a breakdown. Like you, I have learnt so much by reading self help books, neuroscience and practicing mindfulness. I still get depressive periods but I can generally work myself out of them with my wife’s help. Sharing your feelings and by undertaking experiences where you are totally absorbed in the moment have been key as also noticing and appreciating all those little things which could pass you by. Seascape photography has been a real lifesaver in this respect. Despite all the good intentions and knowledge, keeping mindful is still extremely difficult for me and videos like these help you to keep on track. I think the Zen Haggis Channel will be of enormous benefit to people and dovetails in beautifully with your photographic work. Thank you.👍
Thanks Nick, that’s extremely kind of you to comment. I agree, I think this is useful and important content. I’m pleased to finally get a platform.
Oys not often I add comments to you tube videos, but there was something that resonated very much with me. Its very much in tune with how I want and see my life being ,moving forward. But now it feels.like I have support that will help make it happen! So thank you Alistair! Looking forward to the next video.
So glad I followed you over here from "Expressive Photography". I'm looking forward to your future presentations and reflections. I have a background in biology and have also been through health issues that involved weight gain and chronic inflammation. I could definitely relate to the aches and pains you mentioned. I've solved these by delving into the best validated nutritional science. To pursue the health goals you mentioned, I recommend looking into the low carbohydrate lifestyle (for weight loss), intermittent fasting (for weight loss, cellular repair, cardiovascular health) or the ketogenic diet (for all the previous plus reduced inflammation, blood sugar and hormonal control, immune function, mental clarity and mood regulation). Wine, beer, cheese boards and haggis would not be off limits, either! All the best and see you next week.
Oh, I like the sound of all that :/)
I'm really interested in this series Alister. I'm 65 now and all the normal concerns suddenly seem more real than ever before and thus are often on my mind. I'm a little heavier than I'd like to be as well. I run four days per week but my diet has to change some as well. I blame it on Covid. Staying home more, eating out of stress rather than need, eating quick foods which are seldom healthy and the list goes on. Anyway, I'm glad you are doing this series so I'm in.
Thanks Phil. Yes, all choices we make 😁
This very much resonates with me, the panic attacks, anxiety, depression, high pressure job, world travel, jet lag (until Covid). Getting into nature is my escape, and photography my therapy. I was very lucky that my first deep dive into photography was through a surprise birthday present from my Wife which was a one day workshop with William Neill in Yosemite, and I now call him a friend. When I first met him, he asked me what my goal in photography is, and I was a bit taken aback as I wasn't sure how to answer. I literally had just gotten a DSLR from using my iPhone as my sole camera. After some contemplation my answer then, as it is now, is it is my therapy. I still hesitate sometimes to share my photos as they are so personal to me, but I find myself through nature and photography. To me photography is all about relationships, with myself, the equipment and what i'm photographing. My relationship with myself changed so much to the better when I recognized that the beauty I can recognize and see in nature and in photography, is also within myself. Darkness cannot drive out darkness, but I also believe that only light can see light. If I can see this, I am not so bad. It helped tremendously. I very much appreciate the honest and authentic content you put out. When I watched your video with TJ Thorne, I said out loud, "these are my people!". I am curious to your thoughts about how much is the "change" about acceptance of self and being true to yourself and more about the change to let go vs a more of a cause and effect type change of "if I do x then I'll get Y". Thank you!
Firstly Brad thank you for your excellent and open comment. Apologies for the slow reply, I have been finishing my book. Acceptance of self is a dangerous one, as our perception of self is often flawed, Take the statement "I am a terrible person." This may, or may not be true. Acceptance of that as a given is self-sustaining a negative perception of ourselves. My take is that I am mindful of my weaknesses, I am equally aware of my strengths. My main armour is noticing when I am getting caught up in an emotion that is an escalation of a negative.
@@TheZenHaggis Thank you. I appreciate your response. You gave me something to contemplate about mindfulness of both weakness and strength and awareness of the emotional response and meaning we may give it.
Great start to your new UA-cam channel! As our world continues to spin out of control it’s so easy to spend our days in an anxious state. Thank you for giving me insight! Pick one thing each day to find joy in and be thankful for. Thanks.
Thanks so much for the kind and supportive comment. Yes, that’s a start, and we can build on that.
My history is similar to yours, and from reading the comments below it's clear that many people experience a similar crisis in their fifties. Once I retired, I returned to an old interest - the study of Buddhism, so I am looking forward to your stories and reflections. Bad things happen, but we can learn to control, or least modify, how we react to them.
Thanks Tom. I had my crisis much earlier in life and my 50’s have been great (so far.) I agree that how we react (or not) to any given scenario is far more influential on our thoughts and emotions than the event itself. Equanimity and acceptance; powerful allies in our lives.
Hi Alister: Congratulations on the creation of this first video for your new UA-cam channel. You are absolutely correct in saying it is never too late to change. After all 'Change' is the only thing in everyone's life that is consistent. I am also reflecting on your personal admission about your weight, and I must admit that over 8 months I to have added on some poundage. Time again to get out and do more. I will periodically share with you on how this is going. Keep safe....keep happy....and keep creating. Cheers, Keith (Canada)
Thanks Keith and a warm welcome to The Haggis :-)
What a wonderful way to pass a few well spent minutes listening to your nuggets of wisdom. At 68, and now after a forty + year career in medicine, often dwelling in the land of professional burnout, my weight has dropped almost 12kg and the blood pressure is radically improved. You nailed it on the essentials in our everyday outlook on the way we live and our approach to the slings and arrows of the world. This is a marvellous oasis. See you next Sunday.
Thanks so much, it means a lot to me to hear that.
Thanks Alister, we sometimes forget that it is never too late to change. I need to keep trying. The power of positive thinking. All the best.
Every time we notice and try, it’s a win. The more we win, the easier it gets.
Came here from your Expressive Photography channel. Great initiative and I am looking forward to learning and growing. All the things you said about living a happy life enjoying the cheese boards wine chips...yup....I just finished the potatoe chips and was thinking, I'm doing something right...not. LOL. This whole COVID pandemic has really thrown me, know I'm not alone, for a loop. My biggest problem is I procrastinate too much and I'm so good at it - that has to change. I'm looking forward to catching up and following this chanel. Thank you for all you do...I could listen to you all day...you have such a soothing and calm voice.
Great video Alister; I love that you've started this channel. Your expressive photography channel has had such a positive impact on my approach to photography and the enjoyment that I get out of it. This channel dovetails into that perfectly. I'm very appreciative of your time, candor and thoughts.
I appreciate that! Thanks so much. We're looking forward to creating meaningful and hopefully helpful content.
Once again you strike the right cord... I let a big gasp as you described your time in international finance and traveling due to work- so similar to my domestic sales jobs here in the US. Yes Hilton and American Airlines status was somehow something of a positive in a warped way. But now since Covid has restricted all the travel for work... it all seems so fake and on the wrong path. As you found reading philosophy and other books outside of work topics put a band aid on the situation- I would do the same during my travel. (My travel was 5 hours or less)... maybe in a future video you can share the tipping point that made you decide to make the change that you did. I will celebrate my 20th Anniversary at this company next year and not sure why I should not jump out to the unknown and seek this more balanced life goals because as you describe the end is coming for all of us... we just do not know the exact timing... A big thank you
Hey Chris, thanks again for your really open comment. Yes, perhaps I will talk about that, although like most tipping points, they are much more than a single moment, except the waking up part, which is instantaneous.
I had made a comment on your other channel about my struggles with mental health. This has been a great introduction to this channel. I think it can be safely said that you are a wonderful philanthropist. The thought and care that you put into this is certainly remarkable. Thank you for this.
That's very kind. I felt so alone in my own head for decades, so it's nice to be able to breath and hopefully share some positivity.
@@TheZenHaggis it is very much appreciated. Wish you all the best.
This is fantastic. As I get older, I tend to get more introspective and this is a perfect forum to contemplate life-changing topics. A combination of psychology and philosophy that goes directly at the core of who we are as people and photographers. Looking forward to the weekly segments.
Thank you for sharing your experience. Society needs to redefine “success” and what is truly important. Too many of us have been brainwashed into thinking that money and material possessions are the end goals. We end up losing the moment by worrying about our next step, our next purchase. Thank you for creating this platform.
Thanks so much, as always for your thoughtful and encouraging comment.
Aside from the other interesting thoughts covered, I have two words...Intermittent Fasting...I practice extreme clean fasting every day; it helps me focus my mind and I am most creative during this phase of my day. Edited: I forgot to say, I also lost a stone!
Thank you for your openness Alister, this is really inspiring. Struggling with my always anxious mind in these frightning (pandemic) times I find that creativity really helps me to put things in another light. It's so helpful to know that I'm not in this alone and that others like you have searched for and found ways to deal with these external and internal challenges.
As an amateur-photographer I often feel like going out to make photo's but I cannot always find subjects that really inspire me. In the next weeks I will commit myself to applying the concept of noticing on the everyday things around me so I can be more present and more engaged. I'm really looking forward to the next episodes on this channel!
Thank you so much for your kind words, they mean a great deal. Noticing is the gift that keeps giving. It helps with creativity, and it helps with our thinking and emotional spirals.
Thank you Alistair, look forward to following the channel 👍
Thank you, delighted to see you here.
Alister this is a wonderful channel you’ve created, thank you so much...
I’m 65, still working full time although not in photography, perhaps someday that will come to fruition. I work in the aviation field as a stores clerk. Things are slow due to the preset state of the world, thus I spend a lot of time sitting and thinking. When I do have something to keep me occupied it feels much better, I have a sense of self worth. Sadly, I’d imagine there are a lot of folks in this same predicament...
I’m hopeful that this world problem will somehow right itself and we’ll all get back to a somewhat normal life once again. Lately I’ve been thinking that I may be one of the lucky ones in that I’ve pretty much finished with my working life while the younger generations are forced to deal with this monstrous problem...
Time will tell what is to be...
At any rate I’m enjoying your new series immensely.
Great 1st episode, Guys. I am a 63 year old, 103kg, shift worker from the NE of Scotland with lots of spare time on my hands. My problem is that although I love getting out and about, at times I cannot muster up the enthusiasm and this really gets me down. I think this new channel is just the thing to get me to think differently. I also need to loose weight but if I dropped to your weight I'd look like an X-Ray in a simmit!! LOL Thanks and look forward to the next episode. Mike
LOL. Welcome aboard! A simmit for any non Scots is an under vest 😂😂
Thanks for this Alister, the past few months have concentrated my attention on photography as a means of finding contentment/happiness. I discovered your photo channel about a month ago, and this new strand has come along at the right time for me. I look forward to future videos in this series.
Great to hear! I really appreciate that and hope you find the content on both channels valuable.
It's never too late...I started my UA-cam channel a year ago as a means to share my photography, jumping in the deep end with UA-cam, vlogging and videography. For me it's a creative escape from my day job involving software. I have something to focus on that is an enjoyable challenge and a welcome distraction.
Thanks for that - we all need a good dose of that I think.
“Everyday is a little oportunity...” Just Loved it
Thanks for that, a good one to remember.
I enjoyed listening. I’ve been reevaluating my life over the last year and I soon learnt it’s not like you wake up the next day and everything is different, it’s a long process and easy to slip into old ways. Thank you for the timely reminder to expel that gremlin that I left it too late.
Excellent, thanks for the great feedback.
Thanks so much for this. Balance and happiness is what we should all strive for, it's not easy but once we apply what's important for our mental and well-being with what's important for our family's and find the balance we are on a road to happiness.....I hope.
Thank you Alister.
Very true George, and part of the reason we find it so hard will be covered in the next video :-)
Thanks and good luck with the new channel and, as always, your ideas are worth thinking seriously about. However, I won’t be looking forward to next week’s episode because that would mean racing to towards the future.
Lol, good point
LOL, too right...
Thank you Alistair for sharing with us all on this wonderful new channel you and Christine have created. With the gorgeous video and music footage you are teaching us to be more in the moment. I watched for ten minutes the other day watching a spider spin its web, truly magical ✨
Thank you so much Diane - It's Ann Kristin (Norwegian) - Watching spiders spin is so awesome.
Alister your timing is perfect. At 57 I retired early two months ago. I've spent a lot of time reflecting on directions I've wandered off too and am in process of remembering what I enjoy and getting back to those.
With that being said I look forward to future episodes.
Excellent, awareness of this is so important for shaping good daily intentions.
Hello Mr. Benn.
First of all I would like to thank you for the great Expressive Photography UA-cam Channel. Thanks to your videos and books, I was able to know so much and learn so much in a very short time. Your way of photography touches me and I have the feeling that I understand your pictures.
The reason for this comment is actually a different one.
If I understand you correctly, you want to achieve your desired weight again by the end of the year, which has to do with a change in diet. I would be happy to give you something back. So I can only recommend a purely plant-based diet to you. What not only changes your life and your health so positively and easily but also the enormous influence on our planet and the nature we adore and the creatures living in it. Please do not understand this commentary as a sermon or proselytizing but as a kind of idea. As an intelligent species, we need to understand and see how much agony, suffering and destruction we cause and I think it is sane for everyone to reduce this to a large extent.
Every change starts with a small spark. I hope that I can be this for you.
I look forward to much more inspiration from you.
Kind regards, Martin.
Thanks Martin, Ann and I are moving very much in that direction. Big reduction in alcohol, and my other nemesis, sugar!! I've done this before, and I am usually in my very healthy fit range, with good numbers to go with it, but this last year I've been weak!
You're a ray of positivity and logic Alister. I've always loved your philosophy with creativity and this really reflects on your outlook on life. Many thanks for the video man, it really helps me a lot to reflect on my own life . I honestly can't thank you enough
A super start to the channel Alister I think this is going to be a fascinating adventure, and I use that word deliberately as it is an adventure taking deliberate control of your life. We will have to compare waistlines when we next meet up!! 😄😄
Fingers crossed!
Great first episode to this new channel. Although your teachings are nothing new to the way I live my life, I appreciate the work and love you put into these videos. I can tell you really care about it all. That matters more than anything. I am looking forward to learning how to "desolve" the box, since I sort like my boxes. They help keep me organized so to speak. (:
:-) thanks for that, and I am pleased to hear you are happy in your lifestyle. Dissolving the box has been recorded today! I could have made it 50 different ways. Some boxes are great, like ones to organise screws :-)
Excellent video and a message that resonates with me. I am in the fortunate position of recently retiring early at 54. I have a long list of creative hobbies, activity and travel to keep me fulfilled. However I often fall into the trap of pushing things off to next week or next month rather than making the most of every day. So looking forward to making a change with inspiration from this channel.
I hear you, I have had to really discipline myself to make each day count and make sure I don't let things just slide. I've been self-employed since I was 25 and have become quite good at not just killing time.
Very good show. Looking forward to next week. In my hippy days back in the 70’s I thought I was dissolving the box when all I was really doing was shaping a new box to be in.
Ah, ain't that the truth, it's remarkable how good we are at mistaking a new box for freedom :-)
Great video and one more “healthy dose” of Internet. Best Regards Alister.
thank you Alister, I am thrilled to join you on this journey of self awareness. Love your gentle and thoughtful approach. happy Sunday to you .
Thank you so much, it feels good to finally make some of these videos. They have been on my mind for a few years now.
I'm about to turn 67 and it's taken me that additional 13 years over you to reach the life epiphany you're talking about. But I've learned that even for me, it's still not too late to enjoy life and enjoy learning new skills! I wasn't happy during my own career in civil service because i was always a frustrated artist. Now in retirement, I'm indulging myself in photography and video, teaching myself the latter as a brand-new skill just since July. As a lifelong fitness enthusiast (because "bodybuilder" sounds freaky to some), I look forward to following your journey towards your target weight and fitness level.
Thanks John. I meet so many people who are older than me who think it's all over!!
@@TheZenHaggis I updated my comment BTW. Definitely let us know how your fitness journey is going.
@@JohnDrummondPhoto Thanks again John. I have been so much healthier and stronger in the past, but have let it go. I can still rip out 10 pull-ups, but just generally, I need to get it back. I'm lucky that I was always fit - so getting it back isn't so bad, but harder the older we get. Those beers sit a lot longer round the middle!!
I've spent my life fitting into what other people wanted from life. Since losing my partner to his depression, I've realised it's time to live for me. I'm determined to learn how to use my D850, while I see this amazing country of Australia, where I am lucky enough to live. I'm rapidly approaching 60, so it's time for a huge change. I have a few health issues but hopefully, once I get myself into a happy state, my health will naturally follow.
Thanks for this video, Alister, I wish you the best of luck with the channel.
By the way, I could watch those time-lapse clouds all day, gorgeous!
Thanks Kerry. I am so sorry to hear about your partner, it is brutal how hard life can be. Thanks for being so open. Health pretty much is everything, mental or physical.
Appreciate you.
Thanks Kurt
A wonderful video to start out the new channel, Alister. I'm about the same age as you and have had a pretty rough time these last few years. Five years ago I lost my spouse of over twenty years and was in a pretty bad tailspin for awhile, luckily I was able to pull out of it about a year ago. Knew I had to truly move on so sold the house and downsized, and like you mentioned had to "re-learn" how to appreciate each moment...the future isn't guaranteed so you need to embrace the now. It's very true, it's never too late to change...and unfortunately sometimes the change is forced.
Your insights and message about finding the essence creativity and expression are great, I'm looking forward to being part of the growth of this channel. BTW, I love the term "happy weight", doesn't make me feel so bad now. haha.
Thank you so much for your kind words of support, I truly appreciate them. Also, I am so sorry to hear of your loss; I find that concept still unimaginable, and it will be a great test of my equanimity when I lose a parent or loved on.
Happy weight has to go!! Before it becomes unhappy heart disease!
@@TheZenHaggis Thank you for saying that, it's really appreciated. As for the extra "luggage" I put on, I've been limiting carbs and going back into the waves again, thankfully that's been working. Cheers from Hawaii!
Respect Alister. Really looking forward to more inspirational "nuggets" on this channel.
Thanks, delighted top hear that
You have some great wisdom to pass along. Thanks for sharing some of your insights. I am sorry to learn about Jacks passing. I always enjoyed his work.
Great stuff. Love the perspectives that you share.
Top content! Wow video footage! Artistic work in editing (those place swapping & pan video in important moment are wonderful!)
As for me: i began worried about my Focus of View (at what things i emphasis) and i gain a choise: what to interest in (what to invest the time other words) and what to ignore (such as past principles & habits). And there are many backgrounds which are helping me: some old-faithful philosophy studies, few old advanced friends of mine, some new business couching and even such Artist as You, Alister!
You are all good friends, even if you don't know me :)
Thanks for video & meditation. Good luck & keep doing.
good video. Thanks. I only notice you as it popped up on mine and I notice that your Thumbnail uses a similar photo that my publisher used for my book by the same name: Never Too Late. And that is great. This is an important subject and I enjoyed your video. For me, my own book NEVER TOO LATE is my mantra and manual as I now seek to embrace the greatest challenge of my life: Cross the North Pacific from Tokyo to Vancouver by sailboat solo. I have subscribed to you channel and look forward to being enriched by it.
Thank you. Just what the doctor ordered.
Literally :-) Thanks so much for your comment and encouragement Liz.
Looks to be an interesting channel! I am soon to be on earth 68 years. The women in my family seem to die from strokes. I am determined to break that trend. As children we spend our time trying to please our parents, then teachers and then perhaps a spouse and an employer. I have reached that time when I strive to please myself. Finding the things that bring me pleasure and joy. I feel blessed that my camera brings me those things and it like to hike with me. I look forward to enjoying what you will share in the future.
Thanks Cheryl for the lovely comment. We make some serious sacrifices in life and put off making essential changes. Best wishes to you
Great video Alister. Good luck with the weight loss. Been on my own mission since last November.
Great first video, loved the inspirational images and music at the end. Very soothing. Dare I say, very Zen Haggis?? 😄 Good luck with the channel!!
Hey Barb, so happy you are here :-) - I am so happy to be able to make these videos. Let's spread some positive energy.
@@TheZenHaggis absolutely! :)
Good stuff 👍 the concept of Thanatos is often very relevant to us 50 somethings. Best thing I ever did to feel more in control of my life was a wholefood plant based diet.
At the age of 40 I thought I had nailed it by giving up engineering and becoming an artist. Ten years, a degree and pgce later I had to put my career on hold for spend 8 years. I had to learn a whole other set of skills that helped me forget all those artistic and teaching skills... I did become quite handy with a macro lens in the back garden though, ...which led me to believe I could start afresh as a photographer. Little did I know how fickle and devilish photography had become! At 62 I really, really don't want to change again! I am fed up of change and having to keep on reinventing myself! I am quite literally the last person on Earth that you would come to or expect to discuss change and yet it is pretty much the only constant in my life.
It is really ironic that you would start your Zen Haggis journey with this particular topic! I weigh 70kg (I don't even know what that means), now if you ask me, I actually weigh 11stone... when did we start weighing people in kilograms? Another inexplicable change that really doesn't agree with my dyslexic brain's disenchantment with change. I lost exactly one stone about the time that I started having anxiety attacks, that was nearly 2 years ago, I had been 12 stone since... I don't know when. I suppose 60 years without really showing any dramatic outward signs of anxiety was quite an achievement, I suppose I have yoga and the obliviousness of youth to thank for that.
I want to be an fine artist/photographer but for some reason I am being thwarted, I mean, there is some really heavy duty "thwart" in my life! And you are advising me it is never too late to change... really? This is not helping... who's side are you on? You're with them aren't you? ... I'm not even the paranoid version of me right now! Perhaps this is just another fork in the road that I decided to shove up my own bum... I used to blame the parents, now I just blame everybody else until I reflect for a while and blame myself... I don't blame you Alister I blame myself. That was a bit abstract wasn't it? My apologies, I can't take myself seriously any more...
Thanks for the long and open message. Change doesn't have to be dramatic, sometimes even the tiniest thing can trigger massive shifts in perspective. I'm not trying to take sides, or make sides, or grow a cult; simply sharing a bunch of things that have helped me over the years, and if some of those resonate and help others, then great.
@@TheZenHaggis Apologies for the nervous breakdown at the end there. I'm a drama queen and prone to hyperbole! ...I pronounced that [haɪˈpɜːbəli] in my head, hypabowl is for wimps!
Your message really resonate to me and more importantly coming from a fellow photographer, I can relate to your experience and the impact creativity as on us. I am taking you up on the challenge and I will also work on making a few things differently in my life to get better.
Excellent, delighted to hear that.
Oh my, Alister, you have pushed a button with this 71-year-old. Thank you for the inspiration, but I need to find out how to embed this.
Great. I will be making a video in the next few weeks about the language we use with ourselves, and that has such a huge impact... Thanks so much for watching.
Hi Alister. I love the format. I also love the meditative music. Any chance of disclosing it? Like you, my background is varied. I have been in the wine industry most of my adult life. I found it very enriching and rewarding. In addition, I have been a tax accountant for the last thirty years. People get very nervous when you are dealing with their money and the government, as if the result was my fault. It is very stressful. To help alleviate that, I'm in the process of altering my practice to only helping people who run into tax trouble with the revenue folks. At least I may not get yelled at. That pays the bills. It is still stressful, causing me to not sleep, put on too much weight, develop back and leg problems, as well as a occasional grumpiness.
But the photography muse is very strong. I am a creative person, the soul of an artist. Artists in my family go back generations. However, I find myself in the middle of the right brain left brain conundrum. I feel too much left brain leads to these unhappy conditions. Too much right brain can lead to a lack of direction, even though we want to focus on creativity and growth. I think that is where I find myself today. I have had a camera in my hand since I was eight years old (I'm seventy-two now YIKES). But I also feel that I am beginning a new journey. Very slowly, I've rediscovered a new sense of purpose. Many times you have asked why we photograph. For me, not only is it an act of creating to satisfy my inner self, but also to leave a record of what I experienced on this earth in a single moment in time, for anyone who wishes to see it.
I'm looking forward to further episodes. Thank you for the idea.
Thanks so much for your open and honest comment. I really appreciate that. Yes, finding balance is always the key, I think art and our appreciation of the aesthetic is a way to externalise some of these troubles. Lots more coming from The Zen Haggis....
Congratulations on this initiative Alistair, I'll be with you all the way!
Just some feedback on the use of the 'snap-zoom' in the video editing, perhaps overused/too frequent?
All the very best and looking forward to your next one!
Thanks Steve, Appreciate that - I hear you with the snap zoom.
I don't know about everyone else, but I'd love to hear an original music score performed by you for the next video... just trying to spread some of that inspiration. Cheers!
Ha, maybe not for the next video, I don’t have enough hours in the day, but yes, I will do that periodically
I will, thank you
Alistair,your philosophy is close to my heart. It sounds a lot like Buddhism to me. Have you studied this?
MJ
Thanks, yes I have. I lived in Tibet for 7 years and have very close relationships with some Lamas and spent a great deal of time in the monasteries discussing beliefs and philosophy with the. In my own practice now I don't work within the parameters of the ceremonial, or even the spiritual. I am essentially atheistic, but have a strong sense of using mindfulness to address the monkey mind and the human condition of creating a lot of our own suffering.
As for a Buddhist practitioner myself (also Tibetan tradition) it has been pretty obvious for some time that you Alister is “in tune” with Buddhist thought and ways of viewing life. As an artist and photographer myself its been very rewarding for me to learn about your views on how you function both as a creative person and a practitioner of a spiritual path (if you want to call it that). I wish you the best and good luck with your new channel. “Ohm Mani Padme Hung”
@@TheZenHaggis
That explains a lot. I’m envious- opps! failed. Looking forward to your nxt instalment. MJ
Also i wonder how many skills do you learn: all what is needed to take good place in the World: music, photography, writing and finances )) And ofc Peace in Soul.
I’ve been busy 😀
So if being "set in your ways" is basically doing the same things in the same ways, I fail to see the difference between that and "expertise", except that an "expert" is just REALLY GOOD at doing the same things in the same ways. Isn't it ironic how the difference between the near universal condemnation of the one and praise of the other, is merely doing what is condemned long enough to become praised for it. Maybe the praise the "expert" receives is not so much for WHAT they do, but the PERSISTENCE with which they do it.
I think this makes for an interesting contrast with "creativity", or doing different things and/or in different ways. Again I'm reminded of this article; personalityjunkie.com/05/creativity-expertise-personality-ability/ , as so often I am with so many of your videos.
Thanks for your comment. I don’t think anyone argues on the virtues of expertise as a result of repetitious positive action. I think you know that I am referring to the opposite, which is repetitive behaviours resulting in negative outcomes. I suspect a far higher percentage of people can identify with the late later rather than the former.
@@Alister_Benn Absolutely. I suppose I was more musing on the idea that the two outcomes are separated by such potentially slight variations in actions and how difficult it can sometimes be to know the difference until you get to the other end. I can personally think of a few instances where the "repetitive actions" seemed correct, until I got to the end and realized that I had just gotten really quite good at doing something wrong. I guess this is where self-awareness comes in.
Great video. I certainly need to loose more weight, recently lost 1 stone and down to 17 stone. (107kg). Last year I was forced into a change, having left my job and not my personal choice to. Although nightshifts and shift patterns were making me unwell, so there is a little positive in what I went through. Not the best of times to be making Photography my way of bringing in income. I am sure you have come across Miracle Morning book by Hal Elrod.
Thanks for your comment. I haven't read that book!
The Zen Haggis check it out.
Get on a bike, Allister... I shipped a stone in 6 weeks just by riding 3 days a week and making some slightly wiser choices around beer. I was 94kg! My target is 84. What I will say is that I was as miserable as sin when I was fat. Even getting shoes on was an ordeal. Never again.
What kind of distances? Road or mountain? I’ve always had bikes when I lived in China, but not yet in Scotland
@@Alister_Benn on the road. And only around 30km, occasionally 50 if had time, at a reasonably high intensity. It's good for the soul, seriously cleansing if you really put effort in, it hurts so much you can think of nothing else 😂.
Definitely type 2 fun. The sort of thing you only enjoy once you've done it, especially if the weather is dicey.
Lol, I hear you. I used to road bike in China at 14000 feet and uphill there was brutal, but man, feels good when you stop!!
Well you look OK to me, at 109 KG i would never get near 75KG ever I was 92 KG at 18 yrs old when played Hockey. Dont think i would be able to do Highland Games at under 90KG !
LOL< thanks for that. Yeah, it's all relative, I aim to get rid of 7kg minimum and that'll save me having to buy more pants!
@@TheZenHaggis that my target 102 kg by next year
It is kind of funny. I am also 53, 85 kg and want to get back to 75 ish kg.
Good job :-) Let's go for it.