I invite you to take a moment and carefully look at this painting. With a clear mind, take a breathe and truly look at the painting, in its entirety, in its details. I suggest that you view the piece seated, placing your hands in the position of the mudra depicted.
If sitting, put your hands on your lap, if standing put them gently on either side with elbows close to your sides. Round your shoulders up and drop them back.
While in this position, what do you notice in the painting? What do you notice about yourself?
What story or “conversation” do you imagine is happening between the bird and the lizard looking at each other? Why is the other bird and lizard not involved and seem to be doing their own thing? Why a human hand in all of this?
Your interpretation is what makes the painting complete. Why I painted what I did should be secondary in your mind.
Pause, Look, Observe, Feel.
In this painting I depicted the hand gesture Purna Svara Mudra. When I place my hands in this position I automatically feel myself breathing deeply: my rib cage opens to inhale more air and then exhales to let it all out. My breath becomes slow and deliberate. Purna means, “full” and svara means “breath.” By placing the hands in this exact position, the upper, middle and lower areas of the torso are stimulated for complete breathing. It is important where you place each finger along the thumb as this is part of what stimulates the deeper breathing in each area. This type of breathing is meant to release tension in the entire torso, support health and healing in all systems of the body and integrate the body, mind and spirit. The 2nd finger (index) extends as a pointer to our true selves.
The human hand in the painting reminds me that we are all part of nature.
Elderberries are portrayed to the left. These are a fascinating plant as the unripe berries and leaves are poisonous, while ripe elderberries are medicinal. As young children, we have all been a danger to ourselves, at some point. Think of a toddler and how a parent is constantly saving them from harming themselves. As we age, we gain wisdom that not only serves to help ourselves but we can offer it to others for their benefit. If we pay attention, we can save ourselves from many of harm’s way. The Elder tree is considered to have a feminine guardian energy, and is known as the “Elder Tree Mother.”
Elderberries often symbolize the rituals in our lives as they have been used in many ancient traditions from wedding ceremonies to harvesting and planting. Rituals are important for community life as well as daily living whether it’s preparing a meal, making daily lists or exercising regularly. Rituals can help strengthen relationships and provide consistency and structure in a hectic world with all its unexpected events.
What can you offer others? How have you become your own best medicine? Are there ways you still pose danger to your own body, mind or spirit? Can you take time to breathe and notice where you may still be your own obstacle of connecting within your true being? In what direction does your true being point you?
Depicted on the right are Wild Roses. Wild Roses represent clarity and focus. Wild Rose is often used for detoxing and is effective to help those seeking to break unwanted habits and to create a new lifestyle.
There is a symbiotic relationship: while the Elderberry Tree aids one in keeping a routine, the wild rose aids in finding a new perspective.
Where in your own life can these seemingly opposing energies guide you? Are there areas of your life that you do out of habit, that no longer serve you? Are you needing a fresh new way? How is routine and ritual helping you keep order so that you can obtain your desires?
Lizards have many attributes that one can relate to. I will only bring up a few, however, I encourage you if you feel a connection to them, to evaluate the various significances they represent. Lizards have keen senses of hearing, sight and feeling vibrations, and symbolize our ability to acutely access both our senses and our intuition. With their long tails, they balance themselves as well as use it for protection. They often remind us to pay attention to our own intuition rather than others’ points of view. They remind us to become detached from our surroundings, break from the past and explore new options while finding balance.
The lizard, you will notice, has an insulin pod on his back but I didn’t consciously decide this. I knew I wanted to place it somewhere in the painting. This is where I often have my own, “Ah- ha” moments.
For me personally, I need to try new ways of balancing my blood sugar and my active life. Go back to what works well for me, stay with my routine while exploring others ways. I also know that deep inside I know what to do and do not need much outside help at this time. I have all the answers within, I just need to tap in, trust and stay the course.
Do you ever feel that way? Where in your life do you struggle with staying the course, exploring the new and maintaining balance?