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| Seed Meditation, 1979, Mixed Media on Bristol, 8x10 |
I always thought of this piece as a prototype for art my making on a spiritual level. It represents a sort of personal breakthrough on all kinds of levels. All of the crazy stuff I did here integrates somehow. Small as it is, when I come across it I get the same fulfilled feeling I had the day I completed it 32 years ago. This one piece has had quite an effect on everything after it--it seems.
So I've been watching You tubes on a variety of subjects, and came across the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra sung by Hein Braat over and over for an hour and ten minutes. At first it sounded like more new age nonsense performed by some western dude trying to impress everyone with some secret he's discovered.
and of course I'm better than him for recognizing this. I wondered what the words meant, and if this guy knew who he was actually praying to. Of course I had a laugh thinking he was duped into praying for the downfall and destruction of Western culture like an occupy guy or something, and of course he would be the first to go. What a putz.
Well.
Looked it up. Turns out this is one of the most widely known mantras of contemporary Hinduism. It is thousands of years old. It is the great death-conquering mantra of the Rig Veda--possibly the most significant centerpiece of all religious expression. Kept listening. An hour later I'm sitting here tears streaming down my face apologizing to the universe for being such a creep. It is so beautiful. Many thanks to Hein Braat for sharing this incredible piece of music. I so apologize for my arrogance.
While all this was going on, I was inspired to look through the files, and came across this 'seed' meditation piece from all those years ago. Somehow the
Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra and the art connected. If I may be so presumptuous as to show my silly artwork with it, here it is.
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11 comments:
Beautiful work, a true meditation!
Congratulations.
I see why this small painting means so much to you. It is beautiful! I love the subtle tones, the hint of yellow, the texture. But beyond that, you are right, it seems endowed with great meaning. Like an enlightened Barnett Newman.
I don't know what to say--you have a 32-year head start on the breakthrough. I'm still waiting.
"Seed Meditation" is wonderful.
William...thanks for sharing this.
Thank you Franco!
Hey Dan! Thanks for checking in! I really was surprised at how simple materials could yield such intricate surfaces.
Hi Halie--Oh, I've seen a few breakthrough pieces on your blog--always engaging. Thanks for commenting.
Hi John--Thanks. I was hoping somebody would get something out of it. It's been kicked around in a drawer too long.
This one needs to be on the wall so you can look at it - better yet, on a wall of a place that needs that meditative work, like a hospital or a cancer suite or something like that. I can see it giving someone in stress a lot of calming feelings. And I listened to that mantra and will return to it again - thanks for much for sharing!
Hi Rhonda--Wow--neat comment. That is a wonderful idea for a use of some of these. I could start a whole new career with that. I'm so glad you listened to the Mantra. I was kinda thinking about you when I thought of posting it even though it's obviously Hindu. Didn't you just love it? It melted my heart after listening for a while. Played it three times yesterday while posting this.
You gave me a lot to think about, Bill. So I went away and then came back :0).
My doctor, Sastri, is an Indian and keeps on to me to look into Hindi Philosophy ... and he/it still hasn't moved me after 20 years, so I guess you won't either. :0)
On the last occasion, he gave up and asked, "OK in that case can I have a part in your play?" - I was doing a stage adaptation of, "Oliver". I told him I couldn't accommodate as it was for a kids theatre. "No problem," he said, "how about you do a version of Jewel In The Nile, starring me?" I suggested that he would have to play a Muslim ... he replied, "Hindu Philosophy allows flexibility!!"
The Mantra get's through to me in the same way as the Duet from the Bizet's 2Pearl Fishers" ... on a musical level. Antithetically this also gets through to me, although my family shake their heads when I play it http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IO77koJKcYA&feature=relmfu
Seed Meditation - is intriguing. I see a cruciform, a moon through fog, the mark of a stone mason. Yes I can see it as a focus for meditation. Further, it shouldn't be hidden away, but rather, on a wall.
Interesting post, Bill.
He/it? Nice one.
I'm not big on the minutia of Hndu philosophy either, although I've been studying Yoga for years, and particularly in light of what Jesus taught--after all, I do live in Western culture. It seems when one clears off all the misinterpreted booshwa ladled liberally upon us for centuries (by all the religions), we're left with something not unlike Yoga with respect to the way we are constructed, and our relationship to multidimensional reality--a freeing experience. Perhaps this is more like what Dr. Sastri is suggesting looking into. Of course the study is not a little time consuming. There would not be time to put on plays. Hence the good Doctor's dropping the subject.
Watched the video. Smokin cool rhythm section. Nice hats. I keep hearing Flamenco rhythms. I'm looking up the Bizet.
Thanks for checking in--great comments.
very special piece bill
Hi Jane--Thanks so much! I encouraged.
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