"The figure exhibits a miraculous concentration of energy. It is as though the whole of life had been focused in one body. Perfection is only possible where, as in this case, the existence of infinite potentialities is realized."

Coomaraswamy´s knowledgeable and sensitive comments seem to say something about Rob (suggestion: look at each of the five photos, read the words, see the photos again several times until something "clicks" in your being). The shapes of body and face, the facial expression and inner meaning and intention seem related. That is why I wrote:

-"He seems something out of ancient myth and legend. Maybe supernatural. Seeming too good to be true, but real. So far away, but near. The face and expression one has seen in ages-old statues of gods, heroes, princes and saints, they are now alive, timeless, an ancient baby." This has been posted in "Rick’s Tribute".

The being portrayed is known as Lokesvara, also as Avalokitesvara, Padmapani or Lokanatha, a Bodhisattva, - an incarnation in human form of a cosmic principle which can be described as universal compassion, a form of love.

Traditions say that some Asiatic kings attained the Lokesvara state, which is more than human.

The statue was made between 1200 and 1300 years ago, in the Buddhist kingdom of Funan, an offshoot from the highest in Indian civilization in what is now known as the country Cambodia or Kampuchea, east of India. It is considered by some who know as one of the greatest and most spiritual works of art.

These pictures seem to me very much alive, as if the real person were in front of one, even the photo of the ancient statue. It is amazing.

There is really "something" here... I will leave it like that, following this ancient teaching of Chinese wisdom: "The person who knows ten must teach nine". It is never good to say everything one knows. Most things cannot be put into words properly, or at all... But they can sometimes be felt, perceived, by looking very intensely many times. Try it.

I didn’t do research about this, I had read books and seen pictures. Then I wrote the note about Rob. One day, leafing through the book again, I realized the Lokesvara photo was one of nicest examples of what I had written.

Rick,
From Buenos Aires, Argentina

Everyone likes to know persons who are gentle, caring, sweet, tender. Many times Rob seems to be like that, as in this picture, a hope in the world, where it seems most persons are violent, cruel, bitter, hard. That’s basically why I like Rob. But when he seems to be like the majority, it is too bad. Broken hopes. I would like to meet him and perceive his wonderful qualities, leaving no doubts. Rick This is a very powerful and beautiful picture, as many photos of Rob are. I am again reminded of A. Coomaraswamy’s comments about the statue of Lokesvara:"The figure exhibits a miraculous concentration of energy. It is as though the whole of life had been focused in one body". - this can be said of this picture! It makes one feel one is with him, he seems about to move and speak. This happens with several photos of Rob. Then this photo shows he is in many ways a little boy, even a baby, he looks hurt, one wants to heal and protect him, and at the same point and instant he is devilishly sexy –this last does not interest nor attract me, but I feel it. This makes me think of A. Coomaraswamy’s third comment:"Perfection is only possible where, as in this case, the existence of infinite potentialities is realized." "Infinite potentialities" includes everything, even opposites, such as innocence and raw sex, gentleness and cruelty, intelligence and idiocy, nothing is left out. It makes me uncomfortable, but I accept it. Anyway, I like Rob; he is so genuine, lively and sincere. In the photo I feel he can play rough with no remorse. But it is said that total wisdom is in the union of the opposites: peace and violence, night and day, cold and hot, sweet and sour... the Yin and Yang of Chinese wisdom. One has to learn. About this, the spanish artist Salvador Dalí said of himself that he was at the same time an anarchist (against all government) and a monarchist (for kingdom), and that he practiced "chaste eroticism"; he explained this by saying that genius and freedom require being contradictory. Again, union of the opposites. If you have read this far, thank you for your patience! Rick