I took this shot of the old town wall on a beautiful sunny day, wandering around the city with my camera. But I didn’t notice the graffiti until I looked at the picture later – a perfect image for Addled. Zoe builds a wall around herself to protect her from the chaos she feels will… Continue reading Graffiti: Decay or Love?
The tide was coming in at Tynemouth and the water-logged sand reflected the cold blue sun, dazzling the handful of hardy dog walkers trudging up the beach, wrapped tightly against the wind. Their dogs ran and leapt and barked at the sea, which crashed and rolled as it advanced. Jonah and I ran down the… Continue reading Addled Chapter 3: Three Scary Monsters
Addled mostly happens in Newcastle, but the story begins on the other side of the river in Gateshead. Zoe Popper marches down Bottle Bank to cross the Tyne, before entering the Pitcher & Piano bar where the action kicks off. The word bottle is Saxon and means a house or habitation, which shows that Bottle… Continue reading Zoe’s Guide to Newcastle: Bottle Bank
Bare-chested, barefooted, he comes into the marketplace. Muddied and dust-covered, how broadly he grins! Without recourse to mystic powers, withered trees he swiftly brings to bloom. The full title of this picture is sometimes Entering the Marketplace with Helping Hands and it represents the stage of the path where you’re ready to share your wisdom… Continue reading Ox Herding Pictures: Entering the Marketplace
He has returned to the Origin, come back to the Source, but his steps have been taken in vain. It is as though he were now blind and deaf. Seated in his hut, he hankers not for things outside. Streams meander on of themselves, red flowers naturally bloom red. After dissolving into Oneness, the world returns.… Continue reading Ox Herding Pictures: Returning to the Source
Addled Locations: the Pitcher & Piano bar on Newcastle Quayside where Zoe meets Jonah in chapter 1. In the background you can see the Millennium and Tyne Bridges, and the sleek Sage music venue across the river in Gateshead.
Jonah’s red and rusting transit van was a treasury of sweet wrappers, empty crisp packets and assorted fluff and sticky stuff. I was surprised. His flat was an oasis of order and cleanliness. I shot him a questioning glance as we drove into town. ‘Not me,’ he said. ‘The text writing bitch?’ He chuckled and… Continue reading Addled Chapter 2: Popper Originals
Whip, rope, Ox and man alike belong to Emptiness. So vast and infinite the azure sky that no concept of any sort can reach it, over a blazing fire a snowflake cannot survive. When this state of mind is realised comes at last comprehension of the spirit of the ancient Patriarchs. In earlier Ox Herding Pictures this was… Continue reading Ox Herding Pictures: Both Ox and Self Forgotten
Only on the Ox was he able to come Home, But lo, the Ox is now vanished, and alone and serene sits the man. The red sun rides high in the sky as he dreams on placidly. Yonder beneath the thatched roof his idle whip and idle rope are lying. Now the ox vanishes. This picture is sometimes… Continue reading Ox Herding Pictures: Ox Forgotten, Self Alone
This story isn’t easy to tell. It’s a bit like one of those obscure films where nothing happens for hours but then you realise that, somehow, everything has changed. It started the day I met Jonah. He was coming out of the tunnel by the bridge and heading for the quay. I’d been cleaning in… Continue reading Addled Chapter 1: Jonah and the Whale
Riding free as air he buoyantly comes home through evening mists in wide straw-hat and cape. Wherever he may go he creates a fresh breeze, while in his heart profound tranquillity prevails. This Ox requires not a blade of grass. Now you’re starting to get the hang of this awakening business – but don’t get… Continue reading Ox Herding Pictures: Riding the Ox Home
He must hold the nose-rope tight and not allow the Ox to roam, lest off to muddy haunts it should stray. Properly tended, it becomes clean and gentle. Untethered, it willingly follows its master. You have successfully caught the ox of your Buddha nature, but there’s still work to be done. Discipline is still needed:… Continue reading Ox Herding Pictures: Taming the Ox
Jessica Davidson 