News

My apologizes for not having enough time to engage via social media or provide ‘News’ updates on a regular basis. Please click here if you are interested in contacting me or receiving announcements about major upcoming events.


Publications

INNER HARMONY: LIVING IN BALANCE

(Hardcover/220 photos/9.25” x 11.75”/teNeues)

Dalai Lama
Queen Mother of Bhutan

A groundbreaking collection of over 200 stunning black-and-white and select color images explore how and why Buddhist practices have come to inspire and enlighten people worldwide. Eighteen chapters skillfully blend photography with health and well-being, exploring core principles central to living a less stressful, more balanced life, regardless of one’s spiritual path. Designed by renowned graphic artist Lance Hidy (involved in 14 Ansel Adams publications), with poetry and prose by Buddhist scholar, Dr. Paula Arai, forewords were contributed by His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama and Her Majesty, the Queen Mother of Bhutan.

Museum Exhibitions

Traveling Museum Exhibition

A SACRED PATH: SEEKING TRUE HAPPINESS

A Sacred Path uses rare, intimate photographs from the Inner Harmony series of devout Buddhists to illuminate the relationship between their daily practices and a six-step, universally relevant, science-based strategy for navigating through life’s challenges regardless of one’s spiritual path. A museum’s collection of artifacts is often incorporated into the exhibition.

Tibet Museum (Dharamsala, India) – 2023

Museo Camera (Delhi, India) – 2023

Palace of San Lazaro (Mexico City, Mexico) – 2023

House of Religions (Bern, Switzerland) – 2024


Traveling Museum Exhibition

SHADES OF COMPASSION

Ship of Fools copyright Maggie Taylor

SHADES of COMPASSION: A traveling museum exhibition, curated by internationally recognized photokunst, Inc., includes 50 images by some of the world’s leading photographers. Participants include the Ansel Adams and Imogen Cunningham Trusts, Nick Brandt, Joyce Tenneson, Michael Kenna, Beth Moon, and others. I am honored that two pieces from the Inner Harmony series are included in this groundbreaking exhibition which seamlessly integrates emotionally stunning artwork into an immersive, multi-sensory, interactive experience, coupled with a take-home toolkit for patrons who are interested in more fully incorporating compassion into their daily lives. The educational material for the exhibition was created by representatives from MoMA, the Minneapolis Institute of Art, Emory University’s Social, Emotional and Ethical Learning (SEE) and Life University’s Compassionate Integrity Training (CIT).

Headley-Whitney Art Museum (Lexington, KY) – 2023

San Juan Islands MOA (Friday Harbor, WA) – 2024

Amarillo MoA (Amarillo, TX) – 2024


HEALING AND THE ART OF COMPASSION

American Visionary Art Museum (Baltimore, MD) – 2022-23

Eighteen pieces from the Inner Harmony series are included in this extraordinary exhibition.


Documentary Film

It was an honor to collaborate with the North American Office of Tibet and videographer Art Howard in producing the 2020 documentary film, Man of Compassion: Stories of His Holiness, the Dalai Lama. Participants included Presidents Obama, Clinton and George W. Bush along with others who have been positively influenced in their professional and personal lives by the Dalai Lama.


Museum Summit with the 14th Dalai Lama

It was an honor to spearhead the summit “Fostering Universal Ethics & Compassion Through Museums” held in India, and again be in the presence of The 14th Dalai Lama. His Holiness’ humility combined with His thought-provoking insights were inspirational. What an incredible experience spending 3 ½ days with 29 museum-related, multi-disciplinary visionaries from throughout North America in such a collaborative and nurturing atmosphere.

Please click here to watch a short video containing excerpts of The Dalai Lama’s comments and reflections from some delegates.

Reconnecting with The 14th Dalai Lama”
His Holiness with the Museum Summit Participants

Audience with the 14th Dalai Lama

It was a tremendous honor for the Honorable Mayor Nancy McFarlane and myself to represent North Carolina’s capital city, Raleigh, during a private audience with The Dalai Lama at His World Headquarters in Dharamsala, India.

The 14th Dalai Lama's gracious welcome to Jon Kolkin & Mayor McFarlane
Mayor McFarlane & Jon Kolkin Receiving Stupa Gifts from the 14th Dalai Lama

Speaking Engagements

I continue to give presentations worldwide to a wide range of groups (Healthcare, Faith-based, Students, General Public, Art, etc.). Each talk is customized to the audience. Frequent subjects include Practical Strategies for Balancing Our Personal & Professional Lives, Balancing Compassion for Others with Compassion for Self, and Being Respectful When Photographing in Unfamiliar Cultural Settings. Please click here for more information.

Best Wishes to All, Jon