Title

Heart of Glass - Blenko Glass

Blenko Glass is a West Virginia treasure that spans generations. Nothing symbolizes the state of West Virginia better or more beautifully than Blenko Glass. We will discuss current and former craftsmen and designers and how important it is that Blenko and West Virginia glass be appreciated and valued by the younger generation.

Monday, July 14, 2008

Spiritual Enlightenment


Spiritual Enlightenment and Spiritual Awakening is the primary goal of almost all spiritual practices, traditions and religions and for any spiritual seeker. There are many names for this awakened state of Consciousness depending on what culture and tradition we belong to.

Now even OPRAH offers an online course. http://www.oprah.com/

While improving Spiritual Enlightenment or personal growth can happen during our daily living -recently Ravi (blog reader BLENKO Collector from the midwest) went on the trip of a lifetime. He did 3 weeks with a spiritual leader in the Himalayas.

The Himalayas serves different purpose for different people. For some it is a holiday destinations with exotic and picturesque locations, for an adventure sports buff it is the ultimate adventure destination and for a spiritual and holy person it is the abode of god. It is the home for Hindu's most important spiritual centers. For most of the people it is the mountain range with the highest peaks of the world but for a holy person it is much more than that. It is the place for his or her faith and religion.

Ravi sent photos to the blog which I am publishing today - we hope he'll provide a guest post soon about his adventure.

While the photos are not of GLASS - they will I am sure bring you pleasure. hjh

28 comments:

Anonymous said...

Beauty beautiful snaps, many of my friends have done both the holy land and the himmys in the 90s
as senior trips.
These photos could be published in a nature magazine.
Is Blenko Rave the young man photographed?
Seeing more photos of beautiful world and glass is nice way to
wake up.
Thank you Rave and Hilary.
Margie Hale

Anonymous said...

Hilary
We haven't heard from Ander,Ironchef, Ram or Lewishdvdphd or Holly in a while do they write to you. I wonder about people.
Margie Hale

Heart of Glass said...

Margie I do not have info.
School leaves me little or no time to correspond with friends. I have no knowledge oops - wait the blog got photos from Holly today (look for these) and I remember that Ram has his entire family visiting, Andre is out of the country. Hope this helps.

sweetdoc said...

My staff and I collect together, and read Blenko together.
These pixs led to think of a year long diet and exercise class while we save our money are ask Ravi to return to this place and be our guide.
Blenko glass group from southern Ohio goes to India? Well, we can dream between patients, husbands and other stressors.
Hilary do you know about the Ironton Flea Market? If not I will send photos, tons of older glass each week.

Dr.BOB said...

Ravi
You have accomplished my lifelong dream.
These photos will allow me dream more vividly,
reading your review of this encounter will
be the highlight of my week.
We have talked about such a trip for more
than five years. You are what 23 -24, with
the courage and conviction to
live your dream.
Enjoyed your photographic skills more than I can say.

Unknown said...

My first ever Blog Comment.
These are without a doubt beautiful scenic photos, Ravi you could be - if you aren't - a
professional photographer.

Anonymous said...

Viewing Revi near the waterfall
and mountain I think of our own beautiful West Virginia Hills and the White Water Rafting near the Cranberry Glades.
Spirituality can be found most anywhere but these photos visions of Gods handi work.
Lovely!
Mountain Rita
Fort Gay, W.Va.

Anonymous said...

THERE IS A WAY between voice and presence where information flows. In disciplined silence it opens. With wandering talk it closes.

-- Rumi
from "The Essential Rumi"
translated by Coleman Barks with John Moyn

Anonymous said...

Can you please identify yourself the person who typed this anonymous comment ?
----------
THERE IS A WAY between voice and presence where information flows. In disciplined silence it opens. With wandering talk it closes.

-- Rumi
from "The Essential Rumi"
translated by Coleman Barks with John Moyn

Anonymous said...

Thanks everyone for the compiments on photos.
I agree totally with mountain rita's comment, Feeling connected is what matters. I guess one additional thing I can add about the places I visited is that, Many enlightened master's have lived in their physical forms since ages and continue to live there in other forms and the most important thing the master with whom I got this opportunity is enlightened.

I will put together some of my experiences and some more pics once I am back in US. I feel really happy to see the level of participation and comments.

lewisdvdphd said...

Ravi
Confession
I left the annonymous comment
Rumi. I consider myself
long time scholar (reader) part time practitioner. You my friend
so young yet so old and wise seeking comfort in the accompanment of the enlightened.
My friend Sol, the thorn in Hilary's eye is keen on Blenko and got me interested. While I don't collect I am now giving on Blenko as gifts and feel rewarded in my effort to help this small family own company that employess so many fine men and women.
Who led your trip and will he be doing another trip soon?

Heart of Glass said...

Thank you to everyone for comments
and to Ravi for allowing me to use the photos in the Blog.
Got an email from Roxie saying she will use the photo as a screen saver.
Excellent idea. hjh

Anonymous said...

AS WE WILLING ENTER each place of fear, each place of deficiency and insecurity in ourselves, we will discover that its walls are made of untruths, of old images of ourselves, of ancient fears, of false ideas of what is pure and what is not."
~ Jack Kornfield
Ravi
I keep this one with me at all time.

Anonymous said...

awesome pics.

nick said...

Interesting compositon and lighting.
Subject superior.
Product superior.
In my class you would receive an A.
Only my less than stellar looks keep me from joining this club.
Each photo of Hilary is more mave than the last, and now another reader shows up looking very buff.
Dr. Bob if you are Jack LaLane incognitio now is the time to come out.

nick said...

Lewis
Read your comment and you are drinking Hilary tea or smokin the herb ie wonderful company that employees fine people (lmao).
She could be a PR person.

bridgett said...

This is a true and factual comment, but I wouldn't
dare to say except the men in
this blog comment always on appearances. Ravi you look
dashing, like an ad for a sports magazine or fitness center.
No what an ad for Blenko Glass, all fit outdoorsmen collect Blenko.
Can we photo shop a Blenko bottle into one of the pixs?

Dr.BOB said...

Nick
I confess my wife and I often use that very comment " the wonderful craftsmen at Blenko made this especially for you" we copied it from Hilary and write it on cards, and quote it when he hand deliver a gift.
We have developed a sense of belonging and knowing Blenko, join us and you will understand.
Giving gifts that were made in
a small family owned factory in USA is important to my family and friends.
Oh, re: photos I am not ready to expose my aged faced without using the adobe photo enhanment.

bridgett said...

stopped by 2 C if the photos
had been altered to include Blenko

Anonymous said...

http://www.abodia.com/photography/Misc/Port_Photographer.htm
Ravi
Many W.Vians know of Rumi.
Check out this photographer his beautiful home is located on a road he name RUMI and he is a very spiritual man.
Mountain Rita
Do you want links to scenic wva sights?

sweetdoc said...

No photo shopping
these photos represent a Holy place.
You can photo shop Ravi to blenko
he would made a good ad.
We all agree.
Mountain Rita we do have great
mountains in the tri state
area but 'nuthin like those'.

Anonymous said...

I am really overwhelmed with the amount of involvement many people showed on this topic, I will try to organize the experiences of my trip in small write up's with links to the pic's. Thanks to hillary for creating an all-round experience on her blog.

Dr.BOB said...

R.
Know I've been back to view them a dozen times. Excellent work. Did I say I envy you?
22 comments probably equal a couple hundred hits most people don't bother to make comments.

Anonymous said...

Found this in google search,
terrific
i will return for the script.
gloria dodd
huntington

Anonymous said...

Hello Ravi. Would it be possible to give some information on the spiritual leader on your trip to the Himalayas?

Thank you.

Anonymous said...

Wonderful Wild Photos.
I find myself feeling peaceful
when I return to this bookmark.
Thanks to you Hilary for posting and to
you Ravi for sharing your adventure with us land locked, feet in cement hill folk.
Beautiful photos, and nice to learn about the beauty of others.
Rita C Miller
Logan, W.Va.

Heart of Glass said...

Mr. Ravi
In response to your request for info
has agreed to share the information about his trip - name of his spiritual advisor etc
if this is info you desire
please send your name
address and number to
theblenkoproject@aol.com
and I'll forward to ravi.
Thanks
Hillary
I think this is better than having addresses listed on the blog folks.

DrAnnu said...

Ravi
My BF is certain we must know one another since we were in India on spiritual adventures in the same month - you may Laugh now!
I've been waiting for your photos, we were ask not to bring cameras, cell phones, computers or any materials save pen paper and the basics. So I have no photos.