“Cycles of Life”
THE MANDALA PROJECT - How it came to life
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The Mandala Project: #4
“Death is not the opposite of life. Life has no opposite. The opposite of death is birth. Life is eternal.” - Eckhart Tolle
As this Mandala formed, I realized it was a reflection on the cycles of birth, death and life.
The birth of the new spring growth, the death of dry leaves from last fall unearthed by the late May sunshine, and the spiral of pieces of rotten wood from an old tree stump decomposing and providing raw material for the next expression of life.
Some of the mandalas I’ve made are simply creative visual explorations without much deep pondering, and others are more thought provoking and soul stirring.
This morning evoked an inquiry I’m still working with 50+ mandalas later. As I moved to take this green branch of new growth from the bush I was passing, I was aware that I was speeding up the process of death, and struck by all the ways I do this without much thought. I eat plants and fruit and meat. I cut flowers to bring beauty into my home. I walk on the earth daily, compressing what’s underfoot.
I step on small plant life and insects when I’m making mandalas. My movement in the world has constant impact, including the death of things as a direct result of my presence. Even when I’m creatively working with seemingly ‘unalive’ things like rocks, I’m reordering the cosmos.
I’m always collaborating in the ongoing relationship between “what was” a moment ago and what is unfolding now.
So I was pausing and wondering how to incorporate both living and fallen things into the mandalas in a spirit of respectful co-creation—and how to be more conscious in general—when I heard a light click-clicking behind me and two deer approached, strolled over and began eating the other side of the bush.
No analysis needed, they’re just tuned in to right relationship with the world.
An Unexpected Follower
In other news with this four-legged leaf-eating teacher—he’s wildly curious about my canine partner in mischief, Lily.
Our first encounter happened two weeks earlier, and then another on this morning. In 33 years living in the mountains, I’ve never experienced a deer approaching so openly to investigate.
These encounters eventually evolve into his increasing boldness a few days later (Mandala #7) when his curiosity leads to a remarkably charming and intimate encounter. Stay tuned!
This was our first meeting. It’s not clear why he’s so fascinated, but he’s all about Lily.
Then on this morning’s meet up, I knew it was the same guy by his signature move—the old nonchalant ear scratch before coming in for a closer look…
THE MANDALA PROJECT
I’m posting one new Mandala every Monday with a few words about how it came to be, and the challenges that arose or insights that emerged in its creation.
Check back here to see the new ones, or subscribe below if you’d like to receive them directly.
< Mandalas 1, 2 and 3, and the story of how the project came to life