Darius Bashar
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Toronto Portrait Photographer || HEARTshots || Black + White Photography

Memoirs and musings of Darius Bashar. Toronto portrait photographer and writer, in pursuit of all things real, raw and intimate. 

Gratitude Morning Meditation (Wake-Up LOVING Your BODY, MIND + SOUL)

Happy Wednesday y'all.

This simple and calming gratitude morning meditation will allow you to bring more kindness and gratitude into your mind, body and soul.

Being in a state of gratitude is not only a joyful way to start your day, but it can also be a great tool to turn yourself into a magnet for bringing more love, peace and abundance into your life.

Have an awesome rest of your week!

Big LOVE,

D

PS: If you’re looking for a FREE collection of Guided Morning Meditations I got you covered —> https://www.artistmorning.com/free-meditation-for-creativity

PPS: Come meditate with me live. We meet as a group on Zoom every Wednesday and Friday at 9am EST. Sign up here for free —> Free Group Meditation

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Sandra Chuma HEARTshots

I love these photos so much. They are from a year ago, but somehow I haven’t shared them yet. To be honest I think when COVID hit things got a bit wonky and that’s how they got missed. 

I’ll never forget the day of the shoot. Sandra was radiant from the start. I remember feeling a warmth from her the moment I saw her. She was a great listener and when she looked into my eyes it felt as if somehow I was able to do ANYTHING. As if she believed in me and was cheering me on, just by witnessing me. The definition of empowering. 

She does her amazing work as the founder of the Woman on Fire Summit, a life-changing experience to help women from all over the world step beyond their fears. To learn more about the inspired work Sandra does in this world, check her out here → @sandra.chuma // https://sandrachuma.com/

Thank you my friend for all that you do and for your commitment to empowering and celebrating humans everywhere. 

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15 Minute GUIDED MEDITATION For POSITIVE Energy

It's too easy to start your day on your phone answering emails, or scrolling through social media. When we do this our brains become very reactive.

How you start your day is often indicative of how the rest of your day will go. That's why taking a few short minute to intentionally start your day with a 15 minute guided meditation can make a BIG impact on your life.

This 15 minute GUIDED MEDITATION for positivity will help you start your day feeling grounded, calm and connected to your heart.

Morning meditation is a great way to set yourself up for maximum positivity throughout your day.

Happy Weekend Y’all!

Big Love,

D

————

ps: If you’re looking for a FREE collection of Guided Morning Meditations I got you covered —> https://www.artistmorning.com/free-meditation-for-creativity

pps: Come meditate with me live. We meet as a group on Zoom every Wednesday and Friday at 9am (est).

Sign up here for free —> Free Group Meditation

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Light

laugh.
dance. 
be light. 

beloved,
you are the light. 

we all are,
and one day soon,
we will return. 

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5 Minute Guided Morning Meditation

Good morning beautiful humans.

When I step back and reflect on all the new creative adventures I’ve gotten myself into since this pandemic started, it blows my mind.

Artist Morning did not exist this time last year. The truth is, if it wasn’t for COVID it would never have been created. A good reminder that sometimes shitty situations can birth beautiful creations. 

The Artist Morning community is one of the most beautiful things in my life and for that I am eternally grateful. You guys got me through the really dark parts of COVID. You reminded me of the tremendous healing power of both community and creation. 

I adore and love all of you beautiful weirdos who wake up early to log into Zoom so we can meditate and journal together in community.

Thank you for holding this sacred space with me. 

Thank you for getting silly with me. 

I hope you enjoy today’s meditation; it’s only 5 minutes long. Usually I make a 20-minute guided meditation, but today I wanted to try something a little different. 

Our next group Zoom meditation is tomorrow at 9am EST. Everyone is welcome and it’s totally FREE. You can get the Zoom link by signing up here —> www.artistmorning.com

Also, if you have 5 minutes check out the newest Artist Morning YouTube video. It’s a much shorter meditation for when you don’t have as much time, but still want to start your day feeling grounded and connected to your heart. 

Big LOVE, 

D

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How Can I Be Of Service To The World?
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How can I be of service to the world?

I can write and use my voice. I can share my vision. 

I can tell honest stories, share sincere lessons, and make people laugh. 

I can take risks and make mistakes.

I can fall apart… and rebuild stronger. 

How can I be of service to the world?

I can share my love.

I can share my love story.

And I can love my story.

How can I be of service to the world?

I can care more about people.

And less about what people think of me.

And be an honourable son, brother, cousin, nephew, and father. 

I can teach by doing, and remind people of how beautiful they truly are. 

How can I be of service to the world?

I can honour and respect my human. 

And take full responsibility for my mistakes. 

I can forgive everyone, all the time… including myself. 

I can fall deeply in love with God. 

And remember that my human is my soulmate.

✨💞✨

^ This piece of writing is a throwback to exactly 1 year ago today.

Here’s the most important thing that has shifted for me since then:

Now instead of starting my thinking with “How can I be of service to the (external) world,” I ask myself how I can be of service to my internal world (AKA my heart and soul).

Instead of looking externally for validation and love, I go inwards with the intention of building a life that I am proud of and inspired by.

What’s funny is that when I start with myself and my own truth, I end up serving my community and the external world way more.

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Higher Self MEDITATION (15 Minute Guided Meditation)

Happy Monday Y'all!

I just listened to this Higher Self Meditation again myself this morning and it took me for such a powerful journey.

This short 15 minute guided meditation is a really loving way to start your day and your week.

It's from this past Friday's FREE group meditation.

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California Dreaming

This time last year, I was in Los Angeles setting up for a full week of magical photoshoots. Jenn came down with me and we had so much fun. We rented a few whimsical Airbnbs for the shoots. 

One of the houses was in the Hollywood Hills; we could literally see the iconic Hollywood sign from the bathroom window. This particular house was where Charlie Chaplin would stay during his time in LA. And many years back, it belonged to a successful production designer—the guy who made Dorothy’s famous red shoes in The Wizard of Oz! 

That magic most definitely extended into my time with Angela Lauria. I knew her from a previous photoshoot with Archangel a few months back. The day before our shoot I watched a really cool documentary film about her life. Needless to say, I knew she was an epic human being. 

Angela’s success is not an accident; she has worked her ass off and blasted through so many limiting beliefs around self-worth and abundance. Her company, The Author Incubator, has helped over 1,000 people write over 1,500 books. Writing a book is on almost everyone’s bucket list, but most of us never get around to it. And these books have probably impacted the lives of hundreds of thousands. 

I loved diving in with Angela and getting closer to her. I also love the photos we captured together. Thanks for being so awesome, Angela.

The best part is that we’ve got 5 more shoots booked together—once the US/Canada borders open up again. I can’t wait to see what we come up with next! 

Big LOVE, 

D

PS: If you’re ready to make something beautiful together this year, comment below or send me a DM. (I’d love to tell you about this month's HEARTshot photography promo.)

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Creativity Meditation (Permission To Feel And Express Your Heart)

Sometimes before we have fun with creative expression, we need to carve out some stillness for us to experience what's going on in our inner world.

This is especially useful for creators, artists, and innovators who feel blocked.

Because ignoring anxiety or sadness within us is never a good long-term solution. We need space to catch up with our feelings.

This simple guided morning meditation will help you tap into your heart's truth, so that you can access and unleash your creative potential.

PS: If you enjoyed this video and want to see more like it, subscribe to the Artist Morning YouTube channel. I share 2 new guided meditations EVERY week. 🙏🏽

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SOULWORK IS TOUGH

Soulwork is tough.

It requires you to shed your armour. You'll need to strip it all away.

Standing there alone, raw as fuck, you can feel energy everywhere. Every breeze sends chills up your naked body. 

Soulwork is tough.

All the things that used to give you courage (booze, drugs, sex, Netflix, etc) no longer work.

The truth is, they never did. And you always knew that. The only difference now is that Soulwork lowers your tolerance for bullshit, especially self-made.

Soulwork is tough. 

But don’t forget…

Soulwork makes you tough.

Photo by: Darius Bashar

Human by: instagram.com/iamdeedevan

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