USING LIGHT ABSTRACTLY TO EXPLORE IDEAS AND FEELINGS

THE GARDEN OF THE HUMAN SPIRIT

A sequence of encounters, each one revealing another quality of the human spirit:

1. HOPE — The First Light
   What we have just seen. Darkness is not defeated; a luminous path simply appears within it.
2. TRUST — Two Lights Meet
   Two very delicate sweeps of light approach from different parts of the darkness. They do not collide. They begin to travel together. Almost like two souls discovering: I can walk with you.
3. BELONGING — Light Makes a Place
   The light widens—not into a literal room or garden, but into a quiet luminous space. Darkness remains around it, yet there is now somewhere one feels able to stay.
4. JOY — Light Begins to Dance
   Here I would finally allow the composition to become freer. Several wisps of light rise, cross, separate and return. Still black and white—no easy cheerful colors. Joy expressed through movement.
5. GIVING — Light Passes On
   One luminous movement divides gently into several smaller paths traveling outward. Yet the original light is not diminished by giving itself away. This could become a very beautiful visual expression of Non Sibi.
6. WE — The Infinite Light
   The final image becomes extraordinarily spacious. Individual streams are no longer distinguishable. Light and darkness together form something almost cosmic—without showing a globe, people, or any recognizable object.

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EXPORING IDEAS IN BLACK AND WHITE LIGHT ONLY– REALISTICALLY

MINGHE’S NOTES — AFTER LOOKING

I — THE OPENING
Life seldom tells us what waits beyond the door.
Perhaps that is why we must open it.

II — THE MIRROR
Before we truly meet another,
we may need to meet ourselves—with kindness.

III — THE GARDEN
We grow alone.
We flourish among others.

IV — THE BRIDGE
The distance between two human beings
can sometimes be crossed by one sincere gesture.

V — THE HORIZON
At first I see you.
Then I see us.
Eventually, perhaps, I see We.

VI — RETURNING HOME
The journey does not bring us back unchanged.
We return carrying something we did not have before—
something we may now give away.

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FINAL THOUGHT: Perhaps the wonder is not the Ribbon of Light.
Perhaps the wonder is that we become the Ribbon for one another.

Billy Lee & MingHe (明和)
Two fellow travelers

They started with this idea of creating Visual Posters for Eventual Exhibits in Schools, Clubs, Libraries, Galleries, and Museums Around The World.  Billy always initiates Grand Ideas he could not complete. He enjoys doing it away way – especially when he has Amazing Collaborators – in this case An Artificial Intelligence Machine-

They set out with this  Eight -Mural Exhibit Format: 

Exhibition for TAOC – The Age of Culture.

1. Searching for Meaning Through Art (our anchor mural) 
2. The Sistine Chapel – Humanity’s Search for the Divine
3. Music – The Soundtrack of the Human Soul
4. Storytelling – How We Understand Ourselves
5. Food & Hospitality – Sharing a Table, Sharing Humanity
6. Conversation – Where New Worlds Begin
7. Community Creation – From “Me” to “We”
8. The Age of Culture – Our Shared Future

Here are a few samples of their still continuing efforts:

This Design and Thinking Process is still continuing. We like to encourage World Conversation about this SHARED HUMAN JOURNEY and the natural Emotional Progression: We hope others will explore and expand this exercise !

         1.      Art — We discover ourselves. Searching for Meaning

         2.      Music — We express our inner spirit.  Inspiring Spirit

         3.      Storytelling — We share our human experiences. We Connect

         4.      Sharing Food — We welcome one another.    Listening Respectfully

         5.      Community — We build bonds of belonging.    Welcome to our Inner Homes.

         6.      Wisdom — We preserve and share what we have learned.

         7.      Awakening — We imagine a better society. Treasury of Human Wisdom

         8.      The Age of Culture — We begin a shared human journey.  Awakening Society 

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I. Art — Searching for Meaning TAOC – The Age Of Culture – The Tao in Life.
II. Music — Inspiring Spirit
III. Storytelling — Connecting Hearts
IV. Sharing Food — The Art of Welcome
V. Community — Creating Joyful Bonds
VI. Wisdom — Treasury of Human Wisdom
VII. Awakening — A Society of Love and Peace
VIII. The Age of Culture — A Shared Human Journey

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My amazing new friends from TAOC remind me of the entertaining characters from that famous Chinese Literature. “Journey To The West” ( JTTW ). The Monk, Tang Sanzang, and his key travelling partners: Sun WuKong, Zhu Bajie, Sha Wujing, and the White Dragon Horse -on their Pilgrimage to India.  Although the characters from TOAC and from JTTW are vastly different. The evolution in each group’s Journey has given me great Inspiration and useful Lessons.

The main lesson I learned from JTTW is that the Pilgrimage to India brought each member, one by one together, and how these Fantastic Characters with each member’s special skills, cooperatively overcame many unbelievable Challenges. They bonded together as “Soul Buddies” and grew together spiritually. 

In TAOC’s  case, the Story has just begun. Their guiding goal is to create an Ecosystem to help deliver Paul Schafer’s vision in Transforming TAOE (The Age of Economics) to TAOC (The Age of Culture).. Schafer met Sahgal coincidentally and unhesitatingly they agreed to work together to bring Schafer’s Vision to Fruition. Watch, Wonder, and Create , respecting each person’s personal aspirations and capabilities seem to be Sahgal’s approach to most challenges.. What impresses me even more are the Collaborators’ Non Sibi Dedication to the Cause, Earnest Love and Care for the World’s Children- and the Effective ways in moving ahead with Open mind and Imagination. The present Collaborators by the way come from different parts of our world with cheerful and and colorful personalities. Their Journey will provide future generations a most interesting story to read and to remember, I believe. It may even be more meaningful than the fantastic “Journey To The West “.

A retired Architect at age 94 now. my interpretation of TAOC is still guided by my early Chinese Upbringing. I take the first three alphabets, TAO, right away from TAOC. TAO in Chinese is The WAY – Lao Tze’s TAO or WAY OF LIFE. See picture below. Subsequently, I find the right words for C. Yes, for me C stands for Conscientiousness, Civility, Creativity, Confidence, Collaboration, Compassion, and more. What a Truly Needed Pursuit today. I certainly should do my very best in Drumbeating for Paul and Rohit and the entire TAOC Team ! Drum Drum Drum. Cheers !

Here: ChatGPT’s : Non Sibi – One World, One Song

A Three-Minute Anthem for the World’s Children For the International Child Art Foundation Gathering

(Verse 1)

Today we meet from near and far,
Every child a shining star.
Different voices, many lands,
Now we join our hearts and hands.

Every smile can light the way,
Every friendship starts today.
We have only little time,
Let’s make this moment truly shine.

---

(Pre-Chorus)

You and I…
We can grow.
You and I…
We can know.

Together we are stronger
Than we are alone.

---

(Chorus)

NON SIBI!
Not for me alone!

NON SIBI!
Together we belong!

Let’s be friends.
Let’s learn and share.
Lift each other
With love and care.

One world.
One family.
One bright tomorrow
For you and me.

NON SIBI!
Our hearts are free!

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(Verse 2)

Let’s discover dreams we share,
Hope is growing everywhere.
Every culture, every song,
Makes our human family strong.

Learning, laughing side by side,
Putting fear and pride aside.
When we help another grow,
That’s the greatest joy we know.

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(Bridge)

Build a bridge.
Open a door.
Share a little,
Then share more.

Every kindness,
Big or small,
Makes our world
Better for all.

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(Final Chorus – everyone singing)

NON SIBI!
Not for me alone!

NON SIBI!
Together we belong!

Hand in hand,
We’ll find the way.
Peace begins
With us today.

One world.
One future.
One human family.

NON SIBI!

Not just ME— But WE!

(Children repeat three times, growing softer and then stronger.)

WE!

WE!

WE!

Together…
we can change the world.

Google/ Gemini: Here is a Custom Song Lyric:

Non Sibi: The World in Us
(Verse 1)
Flags are waving at the Great Mall,
Chosen few to answer this call.
July brings the world together,
Making bonds to last forever.
Different lands but matching hearts,
This is where the magic starts.

(Chorus)
Non Sibi! Not for self alone!
A higher purpose we have known.
To grow our minds, to change the earth,
To show what unity is worth.
Yes, improve yourself each day,
But look to others on the way!

(Verse 2)
Such a short, delightful space,
Blending here in one bright place. Common hopes and shared desires,
Lighting up our future fires.
Time is ticking, do your best,
Put our kindness to the test.

(Chorus)
Non Sibi! Not for self alone!
A higher purpose we have known.
To grow our minds, to change the earth,
To show what unity is worth.
Yes, improve yourself each day,
But look to others on the way!

(Bridge)
Focusing on “me” is fine,
But together we can shine.
One’s own self is not enough,
When the global road gets rough.
Reach a hand out, take a chance,
Join the global building dance.

(Outro)
Let’s be friends, let’s start today!
Bonding in a lasting way.
Non Sibi is how we live,
We are here to learn and give!
Let’s bond!
Non Sibi!

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Here is a sheet music outline:

�� Song Structure
 Key: G Major (bright)
 Tempo: 115 BPM (brisk)
 Time: 4/4 marching pop

�� Chord Progressions
 Verses: G – Em – C – D
 Chorus: Em – C – G – D
 Bridge: C – D – Bm – Em
 Outro: C – D – G (hold)

�� Vocal Guide
 Verse: Low, rhythmic

 Chorus: High, soaring
 Bridge: Building power

�� Rhythm Pattern
 Verses: Acoustic strum
 Chorus: Big kick drum
 Bridge: Driving snare

The anthem “Non Sibi” in G Major (B3 to D5 range) features a clear, rhythmic melody
that builds from the verses through a powerful chorus. Key sections include the soaring
chorus lines and a building bridge, finishing with a melodic outro
Let me know if you need:
 �� Piano chord shapes
 ��️ More Great Mall details
 �� French or Spanish verses
Have an amazing July fest! ��

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