Capturing Stillness Appreciating Beauty

Description

Step into a world of quiet beauty with “Capturing Stillness – Appreciating Beauty”, a poetic and visual journey that celebrates the elegance found in life’s simplest moments.
Through delicate haiku and stunning photography, James Louis Parsons invites you to pause, reflect, and embrace the art of presence.

Rooted in the traditions of haiku and mindfulness, this collection captures fleeting yet profound glimpses of beauty—the soft glow of morning light, the quiet grace of a falling leaf, the serenity of a still lake. Each page offers a sanctuary of calm, guiding you toward a deeper appreciation of the world around you.

Let these verses and images awaken your senses, soothe your spirit, and remind you that beauty exists everywhere,waiting to be seen, felt, and cherished.

From the Introduction:

The experience of stillness—the quiet pause between thoughts, the deep appreciation of beauty in a fleeting moment—has always fascinated me. How can such feelings be distilled into just a few words? This question has guided me on my journey of writing haiku, seeking to capture life’s quiet wonders in the space of three lines.

My practice of Let It Go Yoga and meditation has shaped the way I perceive the world,
heightening my awareness of the present moment. The more I immersed myself in stillness, the more I felt drawn to express it through haiku. These short yet profound poems, with their origins in ancient Japan, have evolved beyond strict tradition to embrace the full spectrum of human
experience. They remain a powerful means of distilling the essence of a single moment—whether found in nature, in an emotion, or in a fleeting impression of beauty.

Photography is another passion of mine, a natural extension of my meditative practice. Like haiku, it is a way of capturing and preserving a moment of stillness, a glimpse of beauty that might
otherwise go unnoticed. Both art forms encourage mindfulness, patience, and a deep connection to the world around us.

With “Capturing Stillness – Appreciating Beauty”, I hope to share these glimpses with you.
Each haiku is an invitation to pause, to breathe, and to recognize the quiet elegance in everyday life. Whether you find inspiration in nature, in art, or in the simple act of being present, may these words guide you toward your own moments of stillness and appreciation.

James Louis Parsons

What readers are saying about
“Capturing Stillness – Haiku Reflections”

Such a beautiful book of nature photographs and peaceful haiku poetry! “Capturing Stillness” delivers a meditative vacation for calming the mind.
D.D

James Parsons has created a driftwood treasure box full of refreshing gems. Each poem is paired with one of his beautifully composed photographs of coastal beauty that can only be found along the shores of Santa Barbara. It’s a pleasure to open this book and flip to any page. His words help me catch my breath. The words of the poem anchor many stray thoughts, and the photo shifts my regard to the simple grandeur of the scene. How calm things become. Beautifully bound, this is a high quality book to be read every day. Make it a showcase on your coffee table for guests to pick up and consider with delight. I love the images of breathing. … I love the breath centering poems I find in this book. “Deep flowing inhale Focusing on gratitude Exhaling with love”

D.H.

Inspiring thoughts, beautiful photographs and a timeless addition to my library. It is on my coffee table as an inviting offer to all those who visit and a gentle reminder to always be present. This book brings me great joy! Thank you!
H.S.

So many timeless images of life on our planet that I know will carry on once I’m gone. This book makes me feel bittersweet knowing that I’ve been lucky enough to experience, what the words and photos describe. Paging through, also gives me an opportunity to connect with “My Inner Peace” when life gets loud and crazy.
D.A.

This inspirational book presents a steady reminder to Stay Present. There are so many forces that try to pull us away! Fear, pain, exhaustion, sadness, intrigue… But being present is the only path forward for those of us striving to support and love one another and make this world a better place. It provides the constant encouragement to let go of what you can’t control and what you can’t change. It reminds us to be thankful for what we have now. To look around and experience the beauty. Feel at peace. Jim has shared not only his beautiful photography and stunning Haiku, but also his secret for how he lives his life and remains one of the most calm, steady, reassuring people I know. Thank You!
A,K,

I knew Jim was an accomplished yoga instructor and musician, but I had no idea he was such a fine photographer and poet until we received our copy of. “Capturing Stillness”. What a lovely and inspiring collection of haiku and photos!
K.C

Such a beautiful and heartening book. I have it on my coffee table, readily available for those moments when a little inspiration is needed to be lifted above the fray of the day.
D.K.