Room for Mystics. No. 14., 2017, Acrylic on canvas. 58” X 58”
This is the flow of love and joy streaming outward into the universe. She is the love goddess. She took form quickly, as she is. And happy to be there. She is present in a gossamer golden robe. She wears a crown because she has expansive energy and love. She will escort you on a journey to sexual vitality, healing, or simply take you to a celebration.
The painting came from a session I had with a Holotropic Breathwork coach. Holotropic Breathwork is done with experienced guides. As taught by Stanislov Graf, it uses practices from neurological research, depth psychology, anthropology, and Eastern Spiritual practices. It involves deep, accelerated breathing which leads to a “non-ordinary” state of consciousness. The guides set up a cave-like space, for the participants. Participants are paired up, taking turns, one to be the sitter and and one the breather. The breather lies on the floor and does the breath work, extended heavy breathing, inhaling and exhaling in rapid succession, while loud drumming, vocal chants and tribal music are played. The sitter watches and is there to give aid if needed. We are instructed to have no expectations or quests, just to remain open.
Above the drumming, the intense sound of breathing fills the space as each breather works to reach their destination, wherever that may be. Then. Wham. I arrived.
During my spell I travelled to a great Tibetan tundra, frozen with ice and snow. A giant albino Yak, whiter than any light I knew in our world, towered over me on the top of a magical mountain. There he/she stood. His/her breath was warm, wet, rhythmic, and steady. I had no awareness of my body. It was as if I too had been transformed into a spirit.
The Yak instructed me to paint a giant scroll and pour my heart forth into it with the powers and wisdom of all creatures. I admit that I have not yet followed up on that instruction. But there were other things I learned. The Yak gave me a message to re-unite with humanity and to re-awaken into Oneness. There were other spirits too, a Golden Ox, a Golden Hand, an emerald Snake which formed a winding path leading up a green verdant mountain, along a descending azure stream, so sparkling and rich in life.
The journey had no linear time forwards or backwards, no location in the universe. I was taken back to my origin of birth, the place on this earth where my DNA is rooted out of the muck of matter. In Mongolia I was once a nomad herding yaks and oxen with my great family, way back, before history was written.
When I was ready to wake from the spell I was given paper and pencil and instructed to write down my journey so that I would remember it. But, no need. It is always firmly in my mind, so powerful as it was.
The Love Goddess says that you are ginormous. Be your joy.
Room for Mystics, installation photo. 2017
Posted: October 24, 2022