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Thought for Today

“Once you know yourself as a genuine seeker,
and when your own inner chamber is quite enlightened,
then comes the natural unfoldment of pure love and compassion
and a genuine desire to serve others.”
– Rod Stryker

Hold us Together

Thought for Today

The best thing to hold onto in life is each other. Audrey Hepburn
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_love.html

Art as Spiritual Practice: The Mandala

I believe that just as all of life is created from and infused with Spirit, so is art. In my art I draw no lines between “spiritual” and “non spiritual” works. Some pieces may have more obvious religious or spiritual themes or symbolism than others, but all are created with the Creator of the Universe.

That said I do love to play with sacred geometry, especially circles. I have worked with the form of the Rose Window for Rose of Sharon.

Rose of Sharon Copyright 2010 — Rose of Sharon
Copyright 2010

I have also explored the labyrinth (the Walker Series),

Firewalker Copyright 2015 by R.A. Robbins — Firewalker
Copyright 2015 by R.A. Robbins

But until recently I have not attempted a mandala. Finally one day last summer I cleared my schedule for an “art day” and devoted my time and energy to making one.

I began the day with meditation on the courtesy dock which actually extends over the water. What a wonderful way to begin, sitting silently listening to the birds and feeling the gentle breeze on my face. Then I went inside and did a bit more study on the history and process of the mandala. I wanted to work outside so I loaded up a couple of tote bags, walked back down to the lake and set up on a picnic table by the water.

I thought I had an idea of what I would do, but Spirit had something else in mind. Instead of the extremely intricate flowing lines of many drawn mandalas, I ended us with very basic circles full of personal meaning and symbolism. It may not seem like much to others, but to me it is a gentle, encouraging message from the Creator and exactly what I needed on that day. I am not posting a photo here because this is a very personal piece. It is hanging in my studio and is not for sale.

When we begin recognizing our connection to nature, Spirit, symbols and other people life starts to open up to us in all it’s glory. The mandala is one tool we can use to help facilitate this. More than just an art form, Spirit will speak through it if we just listen.

For more information on mandalas see:

http://www.mandalaproject.org/

http://peopleof.oureverydaylife.com/history-mandala-7424.html

http://www.creativedreamincubator.com/journaling-2/art-journal/how-to-draw-mandalas-and-why-you-want-to/

Thought for Today

Open Rose Copyright 2015 by R.A. Robbins — Open Rose
Copyright 2015 by R.A. Robbins

“I pray that you will understand the words of Jesus, “Love one another as I have loved you.” Ask yourself “How has he loved me? Do I really love others in the same way?” Unless this love is among us, we can kill ourselves with work and it will only be work, not love. Work without love is slavery.”
― Mother Teresa

Thought for Today

“Whenever you are confronted with an opponent. Conquer him with love.”
― Mahatma Gandhi

Love one Another

February is the month when we normally focus on romantic love. But this year let’s look at what we might call “brotherly” (or “sisterly”) love. This is what happens when we begin seeing not that person we might have a problem with but the divine light within them. When we do this we will begin start caring for each other again instead of seeing everyone who disagrees with us as the “enemy.” We might also stop fighting and at least start listening to each other. Who knows, we might even stop insisting on being “right” and start seeking peace.

How did the world become such a mess? I don’t know, but it’s a pretty good guess that people each of us may be blaming for causing the problems of the world are probably wondering the same thing. I do know our country has been damaged by the November election. Many people are still traumatized. Children were exposed to things they should never have to see or experience. People still live in fear of angry threats made during the campaign being carried out. Some have had their faith challenged by the actions of those claiming to be Christians.

This is not going to go away folks. We have to start reaching out. Start by trying to see the Divine light in everyone. Not easy, I know but we are called to try. Then we can start not only talking, but listening. I’m talking real conversations, not just “I’m right, you’re wrong.” It’s the only way we can start setting things right.