Cosmos: Harbin Art, Unreally-Realness and Words

Art at Harbin is emerging. And there are a lot of artists here, each unique in his or her own way.

The Domes, e's paintings, the water way, the Temple, the Dragon Gate, the Whale in the hot pool, the railings in the hot pool, d's photos, as well as a lot of other art in the Harbin woodwork. The Harbin Valley itself is very beautiful, and I see it as art, too. View Stonefront Lodge and Harbin Mainside at night from and including the Temple, and you might see a vision of Shangri-la - Ounmalin on the water (Ursula LeGuin). Much of this beauty has happened organically, - it just unfolded, accreted and came together as a whole. Design also played a significant role. And this art and beauty contributes richly to Harbin's virtualness.


Un-really Real

Harbin is very un-really real - a kind of 'magical realism' has arisen here – and in Northern California. There are a lot of long-haired folks here, all living quite fully, especially when they get here. And if Harbin didn’t exist, someone would have to invent it. And Harbin kind of lives itself. No one is in charge, in a sense, and it's very self-regulating, in a Taoist sense. Some dramas unfold here between the residents and visitors, among residents and among guests. And lots is said and thought – some negative - about how Harbin is changing, and what goes on here. But people just keep coming through the gate, each on their own trip, and all varied, which kind of balances out and puts into perspective some of the dramas here, as well as life.

Harbin's virtualness emerges in peoples' minds, through a kind of shared experience, shared vision (culture?), and perhaps shared neurophysiology. This informs a lot of different experiences.


Words

To “Harbinize” – after soaking in the pools, - coming in touch with a kind of harmony, happiness and relaxed space, that is in sync with the fabric of Harbin. This stems directly from the oneness - the unique relaxation response (my language) - that the pools give rise to.