Kenshō [seeing nature] & Mudita [sympathetic joy]

This long-running exhibit began in May 2024 during Bird Migration Month and continues through this year's event. In New York City, spring migration lasts from March to June, with peak songbird migration occurring from mid-April to mid-May. Though ongoing, the show has evolved with the seasons. As spring emerges from winter’s cold, some pieces have been replaced with paintings and drawings depicting the flora of the park and local gardens. The artist will continue adding new work until the exhibition concludes in April.

The flowers—and the way we commune with nature—are, in the artist's view, a reflection of Muditā. As he states:

Flowers as a Metaphor for Muditā:

Muditā is a Sanskrit term meaning “joy” or “pleasure.” It refers to the happiness found in witnessing the well-being of others. However, I believe this joy is not limited to sentient beings as we typically define them.

Muditā is often compared to the deep satisfaction a parent feels watching their child grow and thrive. I see this same joy in our relationship with flowers—an interchange of vitality and appreciation. Flowers, too, experience this joy.

It is essential to remember that muditā is a pure form of happiness, one that arises from another’s success without self-interest. This concept is central to the practice of Muditā meditation, a method through which one cultivates joy in the good fortune of others.