Sacred Circle

Due to a confluence of energies and visions, several mandala exhibitions and programs are inhabiting the Emory campus this spring. From the ancient Tibetan tantric and meditation practices at the Carlos Museum to more contemporary art forms to plans for a living mandala planting near Cannon Chapel. 

The latter idea grew out of a conversation the Dharamsala arts travelers had with His Holines the Karmapa in 2008.

A mandala by New York artist and Morehouse College alumnus Sanford Biggers forms the centerpiece of the Visual Arts gallery, providing a dynamic space for music and dance.

Everything, it seems, goes in a circular motion. My colleagues and I will be circumambulating these places and spaces to see what new visions unfold for us. 

See "Moon Peak" a video created by my colleagues and me--celebrating our trip to Dharamsala in the summer of 2010:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eaFUtUJjpQ

. . . Then so it shall be

There is a ginkgo tree outside of my office on the Emory campus.  I have the pleasure of seeing it change with the seasons and also collecting its leaves. In so doing, I observe the beauty of the oldest living tree in existence, one that has survived the ages--including drought, floods, global warming and even the ravages of Hiroshima.  In Japan it is known as the "bearer of hope" due to its resilience and persistence. The elegance of the tree reminds us of the timelessness and power of nature.  

The gingko nuts and leaves are sources of health, reputed to enhance circulation, memory, and general well being. In Asia, the tree is often associated with spirituality, planted near temples and shrines as a symbol of longevity, hope, resilience, and peace. Gingkos figure prominently in visual art and poetry throughout China, Japan, and Korea.            

This year, I choose the gingko leaf as the image for my New Year's resolution, really more an intention or a statement of desire than an expectation. And I pair it with a phrase provided to me by my friend, collaborator, fellow artist, and spiritual advisor, Anna.

At the end of 2011, I relayed to Anna a wish that was brewing within me, and she replied quietly: ". . . . And so it shall be." 

A poignant story she told accompanies this phrase, a reminder of the pleasures of surprises, hopes, and connections. I'm happy to share it with all who inquire over the coming year as offering insight into the possibilities of what might come to pass along this unpredictable journey through life.