from the Bechtler Contemporary Museum show in Charlotte, NC:
"Wrestling the Angel"
(art and religion)
Hints of fall today. As I considered the over ripeness of this late summer day, I thought of last Saturday when contemporary art, the heart (Raggedy Ann, my beloved childhood doll) spirituality, religion, seasons/change, and circles/wheel of life and rebirth—came together, as they always seem to do.
The painting above is part of an art and spirituality exhibition featuring artists such as Chagall, Roualt and regional artists, Gina Gilmour and others. Also included was Niki De Saint Phalle's "Cathedrale." It's a contemporary interpretation of a Gothic cathedral sculpture like the one at Strasbourg, and both remind me of the 12th Century temple at Belur, South India. Connections.
ALL ONE!
The painting above is part of an art and spirituality exhibition featuring artists such as Chagall, Roualt and regional artists, Gina Gilmour and others. Also included was Niki De Saint Phalle's "Cathedrale." It's a contemporary interpretation of a Gothic cathedral sculpture like the one at Strasbourg, and both remind me of the 12th Century temple at Belur, South India. Connections.
ALL ONE!
"Cathedrale" by de Saint Phale, 20th C
Belur, South India 12th C, Channakesava temple
Cathedral of Notre Dame de Strasbourg tympanum, 11-15th C
But I have digressed (into an art personna). Full circle in another way, came after the museum, when we went to John Bultman's workshop. John's teaching - asana practice and conference felt very open and accepting. With all the changes in my mind, body, and heart after shoulder surgery, I felt his spaciousness allowed and reinforced what had happened to me: the dropping of the perfect and more asana-obsession. Without that overriding focus, there is now space in my head and heart for the other limbs to more fully enter and enlighten—from Yama to Samadhi.
It's about balance, also. There is a yoga sutra verse (2:46) that says asana should be relaxed but stable ("steady and comfortable"). Another middle way—is asana breath or "free breathing" as Sharath calls it. Asana breathing is NOT Ujai.* It is a breath with just enough sound for the practitioner to hear/be aware of. Ujai is a special and loud Pranayama breath. (Apparently Pattabhi Jois did not have the English words to explain this distinction.)
So we balance effort and relaxation in yoga poses and with the breath in doing those poses—in all of the limbs, and in life.
Coincidentally, in my meditation practice I am focusing on another type of balance, the union of opposites. It's been blissful and terrible - which I guess is exactly one of the unions to go for. Though I've still got some icky stuff from long ago to work through, it feels like I've burned through a LOT in the last ten years.
I am crystalline over ashes.
I teeter in balancing poses.
I am the Virgin and Raggedy Ann.
The Equinox nears!
The Middle Way. Balance. 8 Fold Path. 8 Limbs.
ALL!
ONE!
metta
*Ujai creates heat, and might be used in asana practice on a cold day or as one needs it. The breath info comes from Sharath via John Bultman. 🙏🏽
Also, interestingly, David Garrigues newsletter yesterday featured his answers regarding breath. Garrigues said the same thing about ujai - but with different words.