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SPIRITUAL ARTISANS

TASHI MANNOX – MASTER OF CALLIGRAPHY

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.

WHITE TARA IN THE NEW YORK CITY

Recently I saw a high-quality giclée print from an original appliqué thangka created by the artist Leslie Nguyen Temple. I was entranced by the image entitled, “White Tara in New York City” and knew that Leslie and her husband Terris had collaborated on large-scale works for many years with the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa and that he took a keen interest in their personal artwork as well.

THE FRUIT OF PRACTICE

Some of the visual elements in my work: The plumb bob is used in construction to ensure that structures are vertical. I use it more as a symbol for finding the right balance in one’s meditation and life. Are we aligned, for example, with what is true? Are we in line with how phenomena and the mind actually exist, and not how we think they exist? The archeological marker is often a standing for mindfulness.

A FAITH-BASED PRACTICE OF ART

A brilliant article on fusing creative art with contemplative or spiritual practice, with a poetic ode to Allan Bridge a.k.a. Mr. Apology. “I know many artists for whom the seed of inspiration was first nurtured by close association with a spiritual and artistic mentor. Quite simply, there’s no substitute for the knowledge that you can glean up close from watching an inspired artist at work in the flesh, breathing the same air and directly observing the creative process as it unfolds. It is a form of knowledge that unfolds in a wordless fashion much like the truth of the Flower Sermon.”

A SHORT STORY OF A GOLDSMITH

Soon my father found out that I had a flair for the handcraft and he took me to exhibitions and trade shows, taught me history of jewel art and always answered all my questions like ‘What is the name of this gemstone? Where does it come from? How did the Vikings make there jewelry? How do I draw a ring?’

PAINTING SACRED IMAGES ON GLASS

Early on in my studies I had encountered concepts and approaches to what is generally known of as Color Therapy. Theories and research that indicate that color itself could heal and does. I learned also that many of the minerals that are used in traditional healing and herbalism were the very minerals used to create the colors in the glass.

SPACE TO REST

You know your holy place. Your field, tree, chapel, cushion, cathedral, mat, temple or ocean wait for you. Go there often, without any agenda. And let your heart sing the lullabies of its longing to keep itself awake.
A Quiet Collision of Verse and Image by Deborah Anne Quibell & Kimberly Poppe.

INTERVIEW WITH CHRISTOPHER WILKINSON

We often hear about the debate as to whether enlightenment is a gradual process or an instantaneous realization. It is in these Great Perfection Tantras that we can hear the voices of the holders of the instantaneous approach.

JOURNEY OF ASCENSION

When creativity comes to us, knocks hard at our door, we can’t ignore it, we have to listen, we have to let go of what we are doing and submit in that precise moment, if not it will follow us, and continue to. We do not choose an idea, more often it chooses us and we have to manifest the idea, or be in pursuit of it.

INTRODUCING COMPOSER MYSTIC DAVID HYKES

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.

THE OUTSTANDING ART OF TIBETAN BUTTER SCULPTURE

In our every living moment, the torma ultimately means the space within which every experience unfold and the wakeful knowing that experiences. These are not two, subject and object, but an indivisible unity. The torma offering is to transcend this duality. ~Erik Pema Kunsang.

JOHN MC LAUGHLIN & 4TH DIMENSION

Introducing the legendary artist and spiritual artisan John McLaughlin. He is a brilliant guitar guru and plays in beautiful harmony a fusion of jazz and Indian music.