The Beginning

I have no questions to pose, and no desires to fulfill, yet I yearn to immerse myself in the vast expanse between these chairs. I posit that spiritual comprehension is an extension of one's identity, a unique facet for each individual. While some anchor it in abstract beliefs and intangible concepts, others ground it in facts and rationality. The intricacy of spiritual existence, often too abstract, may elude the grasp of the faculty of reasoning and understanding.

3 hours

Location 1: Batu Ferringhi, Penang, Malaysia- 4 November 2018
Location 2: Lim Jetty, Penang, Malaysia- 20 November 2018
Location 3: Chin Farm Waterfalls, Penang, Malaysia- 9 December 2018

Engaging in this seemingly inactive act of sitting, I endeavour to establish a connection with the inherent spirituality within me, intertwined with the flora and fauna. Various locations and their encompassing elements converge, transporting me into a state where my body feels like an 'uninhabited space'—a realm detached from my body, mind, heart, or soul. The tranquillity of the table and chairs, coupled with the ambient stillness and the persistent movements surrounding me, accentuates this unoccupied state. In this quietude, a 'dialogue' unfolds silently over an hour, as my mind navigates through thoughts in an erratic flow.

The chair positioned in front of me transcends its literal purpose of 'sitting'; it becomes a metaphor, a symbol. It embodies a space conceived for the 'phenomenon' ingrained in me since my early days. Representations of this phenomenon, manifested in diverse forms such as literature and images, have cultivated a lingering question: 'Do You resemble me?'

Embarking from the 'I know' represented by the chair I occupy, I initiate a journey into the 'unknown.' Consequently, the vacant chair before me serves as a portal, a door opening to the boundless expanse around and beyond it.

11 hours
Location 4: Pha That Luang, Vientiane, Laos- 9 April 2019
Location 5: Vat Phou, Champasak Province, Laos- 10 April 2019
Location 6: Tad Yung Waterfall, Pakse, Laos- 11 April 2019
Location 7: Angkor Watt, Siem Reap, Cambodia- 12 April 2019
Location 8: Angkor Thom, Siem Reap, Cambodia- 13 April 2019
Location 9: Phong Nha Cave, Binh Tri Thien, Vietnam- 14 April 2019
Location 10: Song Con River, Quang Binh Province, Vietnam- 15 April 2019
Location 11: Red River, Hanoi, Vietnam- 17 April 2019

My pursuit is not towards 'Enlightenment,' but rather an immersion in the 'experience' itself—a tangible connection with the space enveloping me. This encounter mirrors the way a painter crafts landscapes, a photographer captures them, or a writer pens them. The Table and Chairs serve as my tools, facilitating this engagement.

As I traversed from one location to another, the 'uninhabited space within' began intertwining with the perpetually inhabited space surrounding me. Everything 'there' existed in its natural state, unaffected by my presence. My goal was to blend seamlessly with this space without altering anything.

A profound realization dawned on me: "When this merging disrupts the rhythm of reality, it will be halted by the force itself." This impactful experience prompted contemplation on the extent of my 'control' over things. It unveiled the understanding that I possess control over nothing but myself. The inquisitive individuals, persistent mosquitoes, rain, police presence, searing heat, traffic, and other elements all played a role in this artistic endeavour—I merged with everything there.

The 'art' required me to be 'there' for an hour, a task not always feasible. I moved on from places where it was challenging to complete and transitioned to where I could, ensuring the fulfilment of the endeavour. I meticulously document this entire experience—recording, responding, and interacting with everything in my surroundings while seated.

14 hours
Location 12: Kundasang, Sabah 18 May 2019
Location 13: Karambunai, Sabah 19 May 2019
Location 14: Karambunai, Sabah 20 May 2019

At that moment, I found myself simply immersed in the vibrant palette bestowed upon us by Nature. The green, the blue, the black, the white, and the indescribable hues of red and purple enveloped my senses. Everything unfolded precisely as it should, a testament to the natural order of things.

18 hours
Location 15: Lempuyang, Bali, Indonesia October 2019
Location 16: Bukit Asah, Bali, Indonesia October 2019
Location 17: Sanur Beach, Bali, Indonesia October 2019
Location 18: Garuda Wisnu Kencana, Bali, Indonesia October 2019

Amidst the backdrop of a missed flight and a 12-hour delay, I finally arrived in Bali. Surprisingly, everything fell seamlessly into place; everyone I encountered displayed kindness and support. My sole intention was to be present at that moment, disturbing nothing in my surroundings. There were no thoughts to document, just a serene and peaceful immersion in the present.

20 hours
Location 19: Two floors above my home, Penang, Malaysia April 2020
Location 20: At home, Penang, Malaysia April 2020

I know not!

22 Hours
Location 21: Cameron Highlands, Malaysia, 14 Aug 2020
Location 22: Melaka Straits Mosque, Malaysia, 20 Aug 2020

The world currently finds itself in lockdown, a state of human confinement, while Nature seems to roam freely. This juxtaposition speaks to the intricate web of cosmic design, where every element plays a part in the unfolding narrative.