“Wisdom Spiral”
“Wisdom Spiral” - created June 22nd, 2021
THE MANDALA PROJECT - How it came to life
If you know someone whose day would be brightened by this Mandala, please pass it along! Even more magical, with a love note from you!
The Mandala Project: #24
Once a Mandala comes to life, what it’s here to share continues to emerge in the most unexpected ways.
It’s become clear lately that the Mandalas want to be named. Wasn’t sure exactly what mattered about that, but something cool happened with the naming of this one that offered a glimpse into the mystery.
I hate naming things (is the creative work not done already?) It’s a challenging process of trying things on, sitting with them, writing a few words based on the “test-drive” name, walking away, coming back, trying a different name…which inevitably shifts what then wants to be written.
This was the naming arc:
Braveheart
Heart of Truth
Truth Spiral
Trust Spiral
Shield of Truth
Story Stones
Story Keepers
Truth Tellers…
Wisdom Spiral. Cha-chink.
Although it wasn’t clear until its name arrived, it was showing me who it was.
This Mandala is an invitation to play with remembering who you have become.
Here’s the game:
Imagine your essence is at the center of the spiral—you with your pure heart and some crazy feather headdress.
Let your eyes rest there and notice what stirs in you. As you expand your perception to include all of the Mandala, play with the idea that each stone marks a significant story in your life.
Now imagine you’re a caterpillar, moving with presence and patience, undulating your way through this labyrinth of rocks, exploring them one at a time with great interest, appreciation and curiosity.
They each represent some understanding you’ve come to about who you are, an experience that’s forged you into the wise being you are now. Tiny but pivotal moments, large and monumental ones, twisting, pointed, tapering ones. And of course, so many deeply moving love-shaped ones.
Feel the steadfastness of each story, holding the truth that was revealed to you through the experience it carries the record of; stories in your personal history that have brought you to here.
As you’re reconnecting with the experiences of your life, what are they telling you about who you’ve become? And which one/s are offering wisdom you could use in this moment?
On Another Note
Remember Mandala #9: “Beauty Calls”?
It was built under a tree in my yard, so over time I was able to watch the the sun and the wind and the rain and the birds and the squirrels and god-knows-who-and-what-else shift and change its shape…
…until eventually it looked like this:
“Wisdom Spiral” was inspired by Mandala #9’s existence, and built on its remains to become an entirely new expression.
Kinda like everything.
We live in a culture that supports and encourages the ideal of self-sufficiency, and most of us spend our lives striving for it. It’s a myth, and believing it comes with a steep price.