The Occupy Wall St movement is gaining momentum day by day and its hard to say where it will go. However, with groups sprouting across the U.S. and countries around the world, it certainly seems like an end is not in the near future. The other night I hosted a meeting at Golden Drum for people involved in Occupy Wall Street that are dedicated to creating change by peaceful means. At the meeting we discussed how a small group of people can help influence the vibration of an entire movement. Some of the suggestions involved creating an altar at the plaza so that a sacred presence could be felt. Leaders from Meditation Flash Mob were also present talking about their project and why its so important to demonstrate that stillness to protesters. Another thing we talked about was having a simple image that could resonate with a large amount of people that could capture the feeling that we are trying to cultivate in others. At first it was going to be a Buddha sitting but I didn’t want to invoke religion, especially a specific religion. Instead I decided to use the assistance of the big green lady to help get the message across. I couldn’t help but think about Ghostbusters 2 as I was creating it. Once again we call upon her to change form so that she may take on the powers that wish to take advantage of others for their own personal gain. May we shift the tides simply by means of holding the space of peace and compassion. We’ll be making this a tshirt soon! A link will be up in the next couple days. Peace!

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Thank you again to everyone who came to the workshop the other night. I was in a yoga class the last week and in tree pose and a thought popped into my head. Usually ideas come in and out and just like a dream they disappear before I have a chance to write them down. That’s my signal that it probably wasn’t a good idea to begin with. However this one stuck around till after I got out of class. The idea was to create this piece above for people who come to my workshop.

The symbol is the Tibetan letter A. It is used for visualization exercises in the Tibetan dream yoga practice. In dream yoga, the symbol represents the natural non dual state of the mind. During meditation the practitioner is to look at the symbol while meditating without shifting his or her gaze. It is also recommended not to think about the A, but to simply allow it to be within one’s awareness. Once the image is clear in one’s mind, they are to close the eyes and visualize it. The next progression is to visualize being the symbol itself. After this is achieved, one should try to release all images and simply become the essence on the A itself. It is good to give yourself enough time at each step.

It is also recommended to use the A as a point of focus as you are falling asleep. It is said to rest at the throat chakra and is to be visualized as a red four pedaled flower that faces up to the sky with the A in the middle. There is a mantra that corresponds to the four pedals. RA, for the pedal facing front, LA to the left, SHA to the back, and SA to the right. This practice will bring about peaceful dreams and more restful sleep.

It has been noted that my design has a certain Looney Toons feel to it. I was actually thinking about that while I was making it. I’ve always been a fan so I thought why not add a hint of that Merry Melodies flavor. I hope this brings your practice many fruitful experiences. That’s all for now folks!

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All I can really say is that I’m consistently creating things that leave me scratching my head and I like it. In a sense I really have been here. After meditating about the piece for a little while, I really feel like this is place where I’ve been. The longer I worked on it, the more I felt this to be true. A place from my imagination perhaps, but when I was working on it I knew where everything was spatially and the sensations around me. I pictured being under one of the large leaves laying on the cool pavement while the telephone wires buzzed above. I was in the backseat of the car looking through the front window at the legs of a big yellow floating monstrosity. He seemed harmless enough. The way I see it, this place that I’ve made is real in the same way that my dreams are real. Yes, I don’t experience either with my physical body but when I’m in the act of dreaming or painting I am having the experience of being there in that moment. It’s been a great project for me. I can’t wait to go somewhere else!

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