Art of Life artist & promoter of all living beings' right to freedom and enlightenment. Founder of LEVEKUNST.com. Other LEVEKUNST articles by the same author.
Art plays a very important role in the practice of transformation, not only to inspire, but to present sacred imagery for visualisation meditation. The Tibetan Buddhist tradition in particular is rich in sacred art and a means to transcend and liberate, says Tashi Mannox in this interview.
“I don’t quite know why but towards the end of his life, I promised Trungpa Rinpoche, I would bring the stories of Ashoka Maharajah, Gesar of Ling, the Yong Le Emperor and Prince Shotoku Taishi to greater prominence in the West.”
Read the interview with Douglas J. Penick here.
Here is a meditation song to sing right after waking up. Such a song can resonate into every moment, every action, and give strength to make a day better by connecting with love and genuine presence. It comes from Padmasambhava, and the tune is original, the same as Tulku Urgyen sang in Tibetan, but the words are translated into English. Erik and I just recorded it this morning after waking up. Everyone is invited to use the song.
Today marks two years since the first article appeared in LEVEKUNST art of life. Since then the circle of artists and writers has grown to 158 authors. Within a flower mandala of creativity together we have shared and inspired true values of kindness and insights. With 553 articles of essays, poetry and art read in 218 countries, Levekunst is a success that we can be proud of. Skimming through the articles and subjects gives a feeling that we all have created something intriguing and worthwhile.
On behalf of the indigenous people at Standing Rock, a member of the Yaqui tribe in the Southwestern part of United States has yesterday requested help to pacify the situation in North Dakota. In full regalia he made his prayer for a peaceful solution before the Buddhist master and benevolent sorcerer Chokling Rinpoche, and a group of 5000 people from all over the world.
We need the leaders of all religions to be involved. It’s very important that religious leaders, politicians, business people, and industrialists have a genuine dialogue. I think everybody will care, if not for other reasons, then at least for his or her future descendants.
The reincarnation of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, one of the most revered Tibetan Buddhist masters of the twentieth century. He is known as the Yangsi, “the one who has come again into existence.”
Video with Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche, in an intimate atmosphere with Erik Pema Kunsang, about the most important thing to know.
The nature of Shiva in the aspect Nataraja. There are three primary dances and each has a unique significance. The first dance is the source of movement within the entire cosmos. The second releases humanity from the snare of illusion. The third reveals the center of the universe to be discovered within.
Our experiences of health, wholeness and joy are connected with what happens to us at the cellular level. Each one of the numerous cells found in the body has the potential to retain and generate light. It is necessary to cleanse and awaken the cells.
Deep in the heart of Africa lies the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove, a forest along the banks of the Osun river in Yoruba land of Nigeria. It is a gigantic art exhibition sustained by spiritual culture, the last of hundreds of sacred forests which used to adjoin the edges of most Yoruba cities.
As one of the powerful elements from the spiritual culture of India, the sacred fireplace, called dhuni, is a skillful tool to capture the ordinary mind and lead it toward infinity. It is a natural outer mandala for yogis and yoginis, a complete installation, both for the wanderer and the hermit.
Kamala’s flamboyant and erotic skills were not something to be sold, but were part of her repertoire as a teacher from whom a supplicant could receive lessons. Her life example playfully demonstrates independence, dignity and a cultured personality.
The 84 mahasiddhas are connected to a extremely broadminded world view that every situation in life is workable and can be utilized and transformed into total freedom. Looking through their biographies and life examples, they came from various background, from beggars to kings.
The supreme place of blessing, the spring of Awakening, Chumig Changchub, is located half way between Kathmandu and Pokhara in the Mahabharata range, overlooking Daman in the Noble Land of Nepal. The importance of the site to Vajrayana Buddhists cannot be overstated. Padmasambhava, the second Buddha meditated there on the way to Tibet.
LEVEKUNST art of life is happy to introduce a music series about David Hykes and his work. Described by the New York Times as a composer-mystic, he is also a singer, meditation teacher, visual artist, cultural contemplative, and a recognized pioneer and respected teacher of musical spirituality and contemplative practice.
It took 300 million man-hours to carve 300.000 stones to create the entire 100 acre complex in only five years. Millions of hours of dedication and hard work by 11.000 sadhus, volunteers and artisans have gone into the work. What a an incredible feat of management!
To see, to hear, to smell, to taste, and touch is the sacred mandala of the five elements. To look into something very closely is to discover infinite, open space. Not only around the things but the things themselves are endless.
I tread with natural caution and gentleness for every blade of grass, every piece of creation. I don’t always recall the name of a place I have been, but I have connected with its soil and rocks, left my footprints.
The tantras view the human body as sacred, as a temple of divine beings. Present the best food you can imagine to this body mandala of yourself and others. It is inhabited by gods and goddesses living there as in a heavenly realm, in forms made of subtle light and vibration.
While biodynamic food and farming now are household words, you may wonder where it began. Rudolf Steiner formed his ideas and came forth with a radical principle, putting the individual human being at the forefront rather than the system.