Wednesday, November 30, 2016
Tibetan mandala
Mandala of an Esoteric Form of Vajrapani
Vajrapani, "he who holds the thunderbolt sceptre," appears at the center
of this mandala in one of his many esoteric forms.1 The three-faced,
four-armed god holds his characteristic thunderbolt sceptre and the
bell, while his other hands grasp the body o
f a serpent, held firm between his teeth and trampled beneath his feet.
His red hair is gathered like a helmet of molded flames, further
adorned with a serpent. A delicate serpent winds about his neck.
The mandala includes in its first circle gods who resemble the central
figure, although they differ in color: white (E), yellow (S), red (W)
and green (N). In the next circle, at the intermediate points of the
compass, are offering goddesses, perhaps the
standard four: Puspa (flowers; NE), Dhupa (incense; SE), Dipa (light,
SW), and Gandha (perfume, NW). There are four guardians of the temple
gates.Outside the mandala proper are esoteric deities in yab-yum ("father-mother"), the posture of sexual embrace; Tibetan teachers (once identified by inscription, now abraded); and the seven jewels of the cakravartin ("universal monarch"): horse, wish-fulfill ing gem (here, probably the triratna or "three jewels of Buddhism" representing the Buddha, the Buddhist doctrine and the monastic community), the elephant, the wheel of the Buddhist law, a general (figure with shield), queen, and a minister who holds tre asure in his hands (here, the god of wealth, Jambhala).2 In the top register is a lineage of mortal and celestial teachers associated with Vajrapani's teachings. The bottom register includes a monk seated before offerings, deities, and protectors of the faith.
Sunday, November 27, 2016
Friday, September 2, 2016
Tuesday, July 5, 2016
Symbolism of owl
Symbolism of owl
Denotes wisdom, a
symbol of knowledge, heightened observational skills, introspective,
brooding, can see in the dark, developed awareness, high spiritual
enlightenment It can also mean to use more judgment in a life
situation. In the negative, it represents nocturnal "furtive'
habits, solitude, silent flight, a plaintive 'harbinger of death'
cry, and symbolize a turning away from spiritual light. In China the
owl is a harbinger of misfortune, but it is the sacred animal of the
rain-god it symbolizes a demonic nightcreature and considered an evil
omen.
Sunday, July 3, 2016
Neptune
Neptune
Neptune is not visible to the unaided eye and is the only planet in the Solar System found by mathematical prediction rather than by empirical observation. Unexpected changes in the orbit of Uranus led Alexis Bouvard to deduce that its orbit was subject to gravitational perturbation by an unknown planet. Neptune was subsequently observed with a telescope on 23 September 1846 by Johann Galle within a degree of the position predicted by Urbain Le Verrier. Its largest moon, Triton, was discovered shortly thereafter, though none of the planet's remaining known 14 moons were located telescopically until the 20th century. The planet's distance from Earth gives it a very small apparent size, making it challenging to study with Earth-based telescopes. Neptune was visited by Voyager 2, when it flew by the planet on 25 August 1989. The advent of the Hubble Space Telescope and large ground-based telescopes with adaptive optics has recently allowed for additional detailed observations from afar.
Neptune is similar in composition to Uranus, and both have compositions that differ from those of the larger gas giants, Jupiter and Saturn. Like Jupiter and Saturn, Neptune's atmosphere is composed primarily of hydrogen and helium, along with traces of hydrocarbons and possibly nitrogen, but contains a higher proportion of "ices" such as water, ammonia, and methane. However, its interior, like that of Uranus, is primarily composed of ices and rock, and hence Uranus and Neptune are normally considered "ice giants" to emphasise this distinction. Traces of methane in the outermost regions in part account for the planet's blue appearance.
In contrast to the hazy, relatively featureless atmosphere of Uranus, Neptune's atmosphere has active and visible weather patterns. For example, at the time of the Voyager 2 flyby in 1989, the planet's southern hemisphere had a Great Dark Spot comparable to the Great Red Spot on Jupiter. These weather patterns are driven by the strongest sustained winds of any planet in the Solar System, with recorded wind speeds as high as 2,100 kilometres per hour (580 m/s; 1,300 mph). Because of its great distance from the Sun, Neptune's outer atmosphere is one of the coldest places in the Solar System, with temperatures at its cloud tops approaching 55 K (−218 °C). Temperatures at the planet's centre are approximately 5,400 K (5,100 °C).[15][16] Neptune has a faint and fragmented ring system (labelled "arcs"), which was first detected during the 1960s and confirmed by Voyager 2.
Mandala painting
Forest flower mandala
Distemper paints on paper
“The basic difference between an ordinary man and a warrior is that a
warrior takes everything as a challenge while an ordinary man takes
everything as a blessing or a curse.”
― Carlos Castaneda
― Carlos Castaneda
Friday, July 1, 2016
Wednesday, June 29, 2016
Tarot Card Interpretation - The Hermit
The Hermit
Introduction: The Hermit is an extremely spiritual
card, and often has to do with institutions and large organizations -
everything from a bank to the entire Christian Church. This card
indicates spirituality even if you are an atheist. It's in whatever
sense the word "spirit" makes sense to you, even if for you "spirit"
equates to "emotion." You may be trying hard to figure out what the
"truth" is about someone (or some matter), don't feel that you have to
do it all on your own, ask for help if you need it to gain different
perspectives, more information, etc.
General: Just like with the Strength card, you may
even more so be in the frame of mind that you need some time alone -
don't be afraid to take it. Even if it's just a five minute walk around
the house so that you can clear your head. This is also very much a card
about "trying very hard to do the right thing." Just make sure that
"doing the right thing" includes doing what is right for you personally,
and not just worrying about the wants and needs of others.
Work: You are nearing the point where work success
and recognition are well within your grasp. Do your best to be organized
and productive. This will pay off for you in ways that aren't clear
yet. Do the "right thing" even if nobody is watching. You are always
watching what you are doing.
Love: It's possible that a romance from your past
will be re-kindled. Is that really what you want? It seems that romantic
relationships are not currently a priority for you right now. If your
head says that you want nothing more than a romantic relationship; look
at your behavior. Does it align with that analysis? In a committed
relationship, you might have been moving in different directions for a
while now. Make sure to make the time and effort to stay connected in
order to keep the spark alive.
Finances: This is a time to be conservative when it
comes to financial transactions and decisions, not that money seems to
be your highest priority when the Hermit appears anyway. If you're
investing, put your money in conservative stocks/bonds/money market with
really good track records. This is not a time to gamble.
Health: Ritual of any sort will be helpful to you
health-wise. (this could even be something like reading a book for an
hour every Saturday afternoon). Any health problems could be drawing
your attention to a problem that is not in your body so much as in your
life; for example, a bad back could indicate that you are "carrying too
much" metaphorically speaking. Take care of yourself.
Spirituality: It's very likely that at this time a
person will come into your life who is like a mentor or teacher even if
they don't "teach" you directly. You will still learn from them on
several levels. Honor the need that you may be having to withdraw to a
degree from ordinary life - It won't last forever. You will soon be
feeling much more social, so don't push yourself now to be around a lot
of people unless it is absolutely necessary. You will likely emerge from
this month feeling refreshed and renewed, particularly on a spiritual
level.
Tuesday, June 28, 2016
Mandala painting
Night flower mandala
Distemper paints on paper
“There came one and knocked at the door of the Beloved.
And a voice answered and said, 'Who is there?'
The lover replied, 'It is I.'
'Go hence,' returned the voice;
'there is no room within for thee and me.'
Then came the lover a second time and knocked and again the voice demanded,
'Who is there?'
He answered, 'It is thou.'
'Enter,' said the voice, 'for I am within.”
― Rumi
And a voice answered and said, 'Who is there?'
The lover replied, 'It is I.'
'Go hence,' returned the voice;
'there is no room within for thee and me.'
Then came the lover a second time and knocked and again the voice demanded,
'Who is there?'
He answered, 'It is thou.'
'Enter,' said the voice, 'for I am within.”
― Rumi
Flower mandala
Sunflower mandala
“Hear this if you can:
If you want to reach him
You have to go beyond yourself
And when you finally arrive at the land of absence
Be silent
Don’t say a thing
Ecstasy, not words, is the language spoken there”
― Rumi, The Rubais of Rumi: Insane with Love
Mercury
Mercury
Partly because it has almost no atmosphere to retain heat, Mercury's surface temperature varies diurnally more than any other planet in the Solar System, ranging from 100 K (−173 °C; −280 °F) at night to 700 K (427 °C; 800 °F) during the day in some equatorial regions. The poles are constantly below 180 K (−93 °C; −136 °F). Mercury's axis has the smallest tilt of any of the Solar System's planets (about 1⁄30 of a degree), and its orbital eccentricity is the largest of all known planets in the Solar System. At aphelion, Mercury is about 1.5 times as far from the Sun as it is at perihelion. Mercury's surface is heavily cratered and similar in appearance to the Moon, indicating that it has been geologically inactive for billions of years.
Mercury is tidally or gravitationally locked with the Sun in a 3:2 resonance, and rotates in a way that is unique in the Solar System. As seen relative to the fixed stars, it rotates on its axis exactly three times for every two revolutions it makes around the Sun. As seen from the Sun, in a frame of reference that rotates with the orbital motion, it appears to rotate only once every two Mercurian years. An observer on Mercury would therefore see only one day every two years.
Because Mercury orbits the Sun within Earth's orbit (as does Venus), it can appear in Earth's sky in the morning or the evening, but not in the middle of the night. Also, like Venus and the Moon, it displays a complete range of phases as it moves around its orbit relative to Earth. Although Mercury can appear as a bright object when viewed from Earth, its proximity to the Sun makes it more difficult to see than Venus. Two spacecraft have visited Mercury: Mariner 10 flew by in the 1970s; and MESSENGER, launched in 2004, orbited Mercury over 4,000 times in four years, before exhausting its fuel and crashing into the planet's surface on April 30, 2015.
Saturday, June 11, 2016
Friday, June 10, 2016
Sunday, June 5, 2016
Tarot Card Interpretation - Strength Reversed
Strength Reversed
Introduction: When Strength appears in reverse it does not indicate that you are not strong; on the contrary, it indicates typically that there is more strength in you and in your immediate situation than you are likely to be seeing at this time. If you’re having trouble “feeling” where the strong points are at the moment, get with a trusted and honest friend and make a list.
General: When Strength appears in reverse, it’s an important indicator that you have a lot to be grateful for and that you should make a point in the very near future to count your blessings. Yes, everyone wishes for more than they have - more health, more friends, more money, more… whatever. Appreciating what you currently have in hand is key to opening ourselves up for more.
Work: Before you can expect the people you work with to be crystal clear on what your talents and skills are, it’s obvious that YOU must be clear first. What are you best at? What gets you moving? These should give you some insights into where your strengths lie. Once you are clear, this is a good time to make sure that those in a position to hire you (or to keep you employed, or to give you a raise) are aware of them as well. Take things one step at a time, you are already doing well when this card appears, there is no need to push too far too fast.
Love: The reversed meaning of the Strength card in the context of love and romance is basically the same as its upright meaning. In general, love should be going very well - if you're committed, this is very likely to be a strong relationship that is mutually supportive and beneficial. If you're looking for someone, this is a much better-than-average time to meet people. You should be in a self-confident phase, so get out and mingle. You might be very pleasantly surprised by how things work out. The only caveat with the reversal is that you should be a little careful as to make sure you’re not over-estimating the strength of a love relationship; e.g. don’t push the boundaries too hard or you could end up unpleasantly surprised.
Finances: In general money should be flowing well for you now, even with the card appearing in reversal; still, don’t push the boundaries too far. Don’t assume that current prosperity well necessarily continue forever. This is not a great time to gamble much, or to borrow to finance anything other than literal needs.
Health: You are likely to be feeling pretty good when this card appears, even in reversal. This is a great time to correct bad habits if you need to do so in order to protect your health; the caution is not to try to do so too quickly or too forcefully. Slow and steady wins the race. Starting with small goals like a daily short, vigorous workout could very well lead you to where you want to be. You don’t have to necessarily force yourself to stop bad habit such as smoking cold turkey; this tactic is likely to backfire.
Spirituality: The reversed Strength card does not mean that you are weak or weak spiritually; on the contrary, it is a reminder that you have strength within you that likely goes far beyond what you would tend to imagine. If you have difficulty seeing and sensing that about yourself and your life, spend some time in nature. Find a natural thing that you find awe-inspiring, whether that’s a beautiful vista, a waterfall, or an old tree. Then remember that the strength and beauty in that scene or object is an integral part of who and what you are as well. Keep getting in touch with your strength.
Saturday, June 4, 2016
Friday, June 3, 2016
Mandala painting
Meditation mandala
Distemper paints on paper, photoshop
“Now they are a circle, and they vibrate together, they pulsate
together. Their hearts are no longer separate, their beats are no longer
separate, they have become a melody, a harmony. It is the greatest
music possible, all other musics are just faint things compared to it,
shadow things compared to it.”
― Osho
― Osho
Mandala painting
Third chakra mandala
Distemper paints on paper
“That is the simple secret of happiness. Whatever you are doing, don’t
let past move your mind; don’t let future disturb you. Because the past
is no more, and the future is not yet. To live in the memories, to live
in the imagination, is to live in the non-existential. And when you are
living in the non-existential, you are missing that which is
existential. Naturally you will be miserable, because you will miss your
whole life.”
― Osho
― Osho
Stone mandala
“Nobody can say anything about you. Whatsoever people say is about
themselves. But you become very shaky, because you are still clinging to
a false center. That false center depends on others, so you are always
looking to what people are saying about you. And you are always
following other people, you are always trying to satisfy them. You are
always trying to be respectable, you are always trying to decorate your
ego. This is suicidal. Rather than being disturbed by what others say,
you should start looking inside yourself…
Whenever you are self-conscious you are simply showing that you are not conscious of the self at all. You don’t know who you are. If you had known, then there would have been no problem— then you are not seeking opinions. Then you are not worried what others say about you— it is irrelevant!
When you are self-conscious you are in trouble. When you are self-conscious you are really showing symptoms that you don’t know who you are. Your very self-consciousness indicates that you have not come home yet.”
― Osho
Whenever you are self-conscious you are simply showing that you are not conscious of the self at all. You don’t know who you are. If you had known, then there would have been no problem— then you are not seeking opinions. Then you are not worried what others say about you— it is irrelevant!
When you are self-conscious you are in trouble. When you are self-conscious you are really showing symptoms that you don’t know who you are. Your very self-consciousness indicates that you have not come home yet.”
― Osho
Vintage mandala
Bright star mandala
Distemper on paper, photoshop
“Each person comes into this world with a specific destiny--he has
something to fulfill, some message has to be delivered, some work has to
be completed. You are not here accidentally--you are here meaningfully.
There is a purpose behind you. The whole intends to do something
through you.”
― Osho
― Osho
Mandala painting
Sun flower mandala
Distemper paints on paper
“Listen to your being. It is continuously giving you hints; it is a
still, small voice. It does not shout at you, that is true. And if you
are a little silent you will start feeling your way. Be the person you
are. Never try to be another, and you will become mature. Maturity is
accepting the responsibility of being oneself, whatsoever the cost.
Risking all to be oneself, that's what maturity is all about.”
― Osho
― Osho
Tarot Card Interpretation - The Lovers
The Lovers
Introduction: The Lovers is associated with the
astrological sign of Gemini, "The Twins." It almost always points to
partnerships with just one other person; generally, and not
surprisingly, this indicates a romantic partnership, but of course this
is not always the case. Less frequently, it points to the duality that
all of us have inwardly - between male/female, yin/yang,
approach/avoidance, and the like.
General: It's possible when this card appears that
you are feeling ambivalent about a relationship or situation in your
life. It could be that your heart is telling you one thing, and your
head, another. In general, the thing to do is (within the bounds of your
morality) to follow your heart. Some people say there are only two
modes that any of us are operating under at any time; and that's "fear"
or "love." When you can: choose love.
Work: You may be facing a choice or decision in
relation to work. Analyze all available information, then make your best
choice. It's possible that what you initially interpret as a bad thing
will turn out to work in your favor. Be cautious about mixing business
with romance; if you chose to go there, make sure you know exactly what
the stakes are.
Love: When this card appears, it usually means this
time is likely to bring LOVE in capital letters to the center stage of
your life. This is either a new relationship, or a powerful re-bonding
of an old one. Either way you will be quite happy about how romance is
going and others will likely remark that you are "glowing." This is
serious stuff. It could mean, even in a new relationship, where you are
meeting each other's families and talking about "forever." Again, share
your joy with those around you who need it. Life will feel blissful to
you now, which is wonderful.
Finances: Things are likely to be going so
blissfully for you romantically that it would be easy for you to lose
track of where you are with your personal/financial life. Most things
can wait, of course, but some things absolutely can not so just be sure
that you don't lose sight of the things you really must do.
Health: If you are facing health challenges, know
that the right partner to help you get back to wholeness will come to
you. Whether that's a traditional doctor, nurse, or healer depends a
great deal on your preferences and choice in life. Again, if you are
facing challenges, think deeply about your current understanding about
health and wellness, and undertaking any healing
affirmations/forgiveness work that you may need to do.
Spirituality: Again, working with a special person,
like a mentor or leader that you have faith in can help you along your
spiritual journey. However, don't blindly follow; question everything,
listen to your heart and your gut reactions; take what is offered that
is helpful to you, and disregard the rest. A mentor may be getting ready
to come into your life. Remember the old saying: "When the student is
ready, the teacher appears."
Symbolism of ape
Symbolism of ape
Cautions
against loss of individuality, pretending to be someone who you are
not, aping someone, being a copycat instead of your true self. A symbol
of malice and ugliness. The ape was a holy animal in ancient India, the
god Hanuman, as in the epic Ramayana. He is a symbol of strength,
loyalty, and self-sacrifice. In the Chinese Zodiac, the ape is the ninth
sign. The ape is the calendar symbol in ancient Mexican cultures,
lending its name (in Aztec Ozomatli, in Mayan Ba'tz) to the the day of
the month. The ape was a god of dance, and those born under this sign
were expected to become jugglers, pranksters, dancers, or singers. In
ancient Mexico, the ape represents the wind. In the ancient Mexican myth
of periodic "ends of the world", the second era or "sun," the wind-sun,
was ended by devastating tornadoes, and the humans of this era were
transformed into apes. Apes in chains represent the "devil" vanquished.
It is a symbol of insecurity and doubt about one's own role in life as
well as immodesty.
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