I asked Ishigami / Retreating into Liminal Spaces and Dream Pools
Stone God,
I feel that there are certain similarities between stone collecting, liminal spaces, and dream pools. This feeling, both pleasant like morning mist and somehow strange and unsettling—please convey it on my behalf.
ー
Amid the countless moments in daily life, there are times when it feels as if I’ve stepped into a liminal space—an intermediate, ambiguous area. It could be the void-like pause while waiting for the next train at a station or the quiet flutter in my mind as I pick up stones on the beach. Such delicate thresholds of time and place form a special kind of space for me.
I recall my recent visit to the seaside in Fukui. The ocean was calm that day, a grayish-blue expanse stretching out, and countless stones were scattered over the shore. For a while, I immersed myself in picking up stones, arranging them, and watching ripples spread out when I tossed some into the surf. Then came that moment—a moment when time itself seemed to stop.
It was as though I had wandered into a dream pool, a space both real and unreal. All I could hear was the serene sound of the waves, and the cool smoothness of stones slipping through my fingers brought a peculiar sense of comfort. It was a mix of healing and solitude—a fleeting, otherworldly sensation that briefly carried me away.
The stones I encounter on my journeys hold memories and time within them. The act of picking them up and arranging them feels like a key that unlocks doors to liminal spaces and dream pools. These spaces offer tranquility, a calm flow of time that allows even the tiniest insights to emerge.
For instance, the stones I collected at Terugasaki Beach in Kanagawa were remarkably smooth, polished by the sun and sea. Each unique shape and color carried the essence of that place. As I held them, memories of the scenery and the scent of the wind came flooding back. Strangely, these stones seemed to console me, encouraging reflection and companionship as I grappled with nostalgic emotions. Through such moments, I’ve realized that stone collecting is not just a hobby but an integral part of my life.
However, stone collecting isn’t always serene or idyllic. At times, I’m overcome by feelings of solitude or inadequacy, such as when I lose a cherished stone or fail to find one that resonates. These moments make me question myself: Is this truly what I seek? But these questions, in turn, create yet another liminal space. No answers are needed; it’s enough to simply exist within that space.
When I pause, I hear the rhythm of the waves, the distant cries of seagulls, and my own breathing. All these sounds merge, creating a sensation that the world exists solely for me in that moment. How could I put this feeling into words?
Perhaps “solitude,” “healing,” or “serenity” comes close, but none capture it perfectly. These elements intertwine to form a unique blend of sensations. This is my liminal space—my dream pool.
Collecting stones remains my anchor in life. The repeated act sharpens my memory, functioning as a bridge between the ordinary and the extraordinary. What kind of stones and memories will the next place bring me? The thought alone makes my heart quicken slightly.
A small pile of collected stones now rests beside me. As I gaze at them, I silently anticipate the next moment when I’ll step into another liminal space and immerse myself in the dream pool once more.
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