I’ve always had the perception that visionary art is synonymous to psychedelic art, well, after seeing the stimulating paintings of Mark Henson, my perception has not only changed, but has been rewired.
Mark Henson, a California-based artist, relies on his personal vision rather than inspiration from other contemporary artists to create compelling images (satires) revolving around the political, social and cultural situation facing our society. He tells a story through his art, that shows a state of emotion or consciousness.
He also expresses his sense of eroticism in a more spiritual and divine manner – he shows the merging of souls as the manifestation of the cosmic design inherent in all living things.
Living amidst nature can be such a beautiful learning experience, one of the lessons we learned while we were living in the countryside was the importance of water. During summer, temperatures would soar up to 42 degrees Celsius (107 Fahrenheit) inside the house and it was even more outside.
But the most gruesome challenge was the lack of water; we were living on rain water that collected in the ground. By summer the water well would run dry, changing the entire landscape – trees would loose their leaves or they look all shriveled up, the only time we would hear a bird would be early in the morning or at the time of sunset.
We would eagerly await the arrival of monsoons, as that drastically changed the barren landscape to a spectrum of luscious green. Birds display their best shades and sing their finest tunes to attract mates, flowers blossom, butterflies chase each other while dragonflies dart about. The vibration changed completely with the onset of the rains, every plant and animal moves from survival mode to growth and reproduction, love is in the air.
When we were young it was natural for us to go out and get wet in the first rains, the cure for the prickly heat. Although today in any major city, the pollution brings down acid rain that isn’t good at all. In the days gone by, almost all Indian healers specializing in the treatment of cancer recommend the use of rain water.
A research conducted on traditional medicinal knowledge with regards to rain water by Pankaj Oudhia, states, “The healers prefer the water from first rains, but in case of poor collection, they collect water from subsequent rains. For collection of rain water, they prefer Tamra Patra (Copper vessels). The traditional healers in interior regions having not enough purchasing capacity to buy Tamra Patra, use earthen pots (Ghada) to collect rain water.
According to them, the water must be collected before it reaches the ground, although the rain water coming down through plants are also collected but they have specific list of plants that can be used for this purpose.”
Ayurveda or ayurvedic medicine is a system of traditional medicine native to the Indian subcontinent and a form of alternative medicine. Here’s an ayurvedic weight loss recipe that uses rain water as one of its ingredients.
But don’t you think that water dropping from the sky at a point of time when there is so much of positivity will have some kind of change in its molecular structure? It will only seem familiar if you have heard of Masaru Emoto’s work, that talks about how water adapts according to the environment it is in.
Back to my story, in a week after the rains start, the ground water is replenished. We would then bathe and drink this water straight from the ground without any boiling or filtering.
There is a feeling of being charged when you consume this water and even a bath with it without altering its natural temperature is most refreshing. People who have lived long life spans have often had one thing in common, access to high quality clean water.
One also needs to consider the magic of the holiest river in India, the Ganga. Although the river is heavily polluted in a number of spots, there is an unknown factor (science cannot explain) as to how the Ganga heals itself.
We think its the faith of thousands of people who come and bathe into the river each day; their beliefs of the water being holy and that it is not only pure but has the power to purify them!
Do you know any other benefits of rain water? Do you think the health benefits of rainwater could be the reason that its collection was/is banned by some states in the USA?
Sacred Geometry has been a subject of interest to us, so when we stumbled upon Mark Golding’s work which integrates Mandalas and the principles of Sacred Geometry to bring about art that heals, he caught our attention.
Mark has been a meditation teacher for around eighteen years, but only recently started drawing healing mandalas, after a life-changing experience where Mark considers himself reborn.
Apart from a pair of compasses, and two triangles that are used to create an initial segmented circle, all the pen work and illumination is entirely freehand. Mark reckons his best tool is ‘a still mind’.
Here’s an excerpt from Mark’s story of redemption, hope, fear, healing and impossibility.
“I’m back in the woods for another walk, this time I’m feeling really low, sad, helpless and I’m crying. I leave the woods and wander up into one of the surrounding meadows, find a clear open space and I sit upon a small hillock, with my head in my hands, and I cry, and cry, and cry.
From my despair I am aware of a presence around me, I look up, and 6 horses have wandered and gathered around me, looking into my soul, with understanding and empathy for my sorrow.
Two of the horses walk slowly towards me, one brown, one black, and press their noses upon my cheeks, and they breathe me. Their breath becomes my breath, and we 3 breathe together, as they heal me, as they understand my sorrow.
And for moments I can speak horse. From mind to mind we share communication, and they ease my suffering. This is a unique and magical moment in my life, and a crossroads in my recovery. We share common experiences of love, pain and suffering in a communion of souls, a communion that knows none of the parameters of conventional understanding and this breaks down a barrier within my soul, that had hitherto separated me, Mark the human being, from the majesty and unity of the animal kingdom.”
What drew me to his art was the calming feeling I got when I was browsing through them and knew I had to dig in deeper. Mark shares his thoughts on mandalas, sacred geometry, and the process of creating art that heals.
1) What drew you to sacred geometry?
I wished to explore the connection between aspects of the material world, and dive into and beyond the molecular structures of the elements – the revelation of the appearance of sacred geometry naturally arose, I was not seeking it.
I am now tending towards a more evolved understanding that I call ‘organic sacred geometry’ that departs from the principle ‘the shortest distance between two points is a straight line’, recognizing the acceleration found in curvature of vortices.
2) Where did you learn the art and principles of mandala making?
I was initiated into the Highest Yoga Tantra practices of Vajrayogini and Heruka of Tibetan Buddhism around 20 years ago, with the instructions that the Mandala was to be created primarily within the mind, and then in the world. This is what we see manifest when the ‘Sand Mandalas’ are created by monks, and then allowed to be washed away by the sea…
My mandalas are such representations – signposts to inner peace; an outer reflection of my inner experience.
3) Why do you call your work healing magic?
I consider that visual art has the capacity to initiate healing. Just as sound, smell, taste and touch are used in the healing therapies, I wish to introduce the sense of sight as such a potential.
Early science and magic were considered to be two aspects that worked in union, in an alchemical sense, and today, as the scientific and metaphysical draw ever closer we are seeing the division between magic and science dissolve.
My theory concerning the science of my art is explained here – http://markgolding.co.uk/theory/science
4) What are the tools and materials used for your creations?
I work in the paper sizes, A3, A2 and A1, and I draw upon a fine translucent paper, first outlining in soft pencil, to create the form and geometry, then I serve the outlines with both hard and soft colored inks, and finally highlight with reflective, iridescent inks.
My tools are a pair of compasses, and two triangles that I use to create an initial segmented circle. All the pen work and illumination is entirely freehand.
The Architecture of Inner Peace ~ To manifest a temple within the mind. A contemplative diary through my creative engagement process, of both flow and non-duality. Uplifting and radiant, these drawings are intended as preparations for the spiritual path.
5) What made you do a guided meditation, will there be more?
I have taught meditation for around 18 years, having trained in formal teaching practice for 13 years. This preparatory breathing meditation was recorded a few years ago to share online, and I’m presently considering the potential of creating a new series of meditation/visualization tools, called ‘The Architecture of Inner Peace‘.
You can check out the entire set of preparatory drawings of the Architecture of Inner Peace here!
6) I saw some of your work related to particular emotions or thoughts, how do these mandalas connect with these? Also if you could explain some of your work, (The Alala Bird – Radiates Love, Wisdom and Compassion, The Seventh Moon Cycle – Fierce Love: Embracing All Things)
In part, this is explained above in the link I shared above, theory/science… I think that by feeling my emotions, clearly and directly, I am able to ‘reverse engineer’ my experience, and thus represent the feeling/experience in a manner that is communicated through the visual medium, the eyes…
Conveying a mood, feeling or experience, in a very considered manner – almost like playing the 127 million pixel matrix of the retina, as a pianist plays the variations of keys in chord and harmonic sequences to convey moods such as happiness, tranquility, etc.
We tend to save the best for last, here’s Mark’s guided mediation. Do let us know what you think of Mark’s work. Thank you 🙂
“If someone wishes for good health, one must first ask oneself if he is ready to do away with the reasons for his illness. Only then is it possible to help him.” ~ Hippocrates
Your body reflects your emotional and psychological states. For example – your heart starts beating fast when you experience fear or shock, you get butterflies in your stomach when you feel nervous or excited, or get goosebumps when you are euphoric or fearful – it’s a result of the thoughts and emotions transferring to the physical body. Your mind and body are intimately connected.
When you have a healthy psychological and emotional state, it leads to a positive mental attitude and a powerful immune system. It is only when we ignore ourselves that illness is able to take control of our bodies’ natural defenses.
The effect of negative emotions can be harmful. Research says that repetitive negative thinking leads to cognitive decline and negative thoughts are linked to depression and anxiety disorders.
Even negative emotions like anger or sadness affect your physical health and the immune system. Negative emotions play an important role in our lives. Even though negative emotions are unpleasant and destructive, they help us grow and become a better version of ourselves. Becoming aware, not suppressing it but working towards it, would be the first step towards healing our negative emotions.
“Balance cannot be known unless you taste both extremes. You will dabble, struggle, even suffer until you muster up the the extraordinary courage necessary for embracing all of your humanity.” ~ Amy Larson
Negative Emotions and our Body
Louise Hay delves deeper and speaks about how your thoughts and feelings are linked to specific parts of the body and different illnesses. When you fall sick, the body is communicating that your thinking (unconscious) is out of sync with what is beneficial to your being. Your body is asking you to live in harmony and at peace with yourself and your surroundings.
Here’s an emotional chart that shows the thought patterns that form our daily experiences. It is also part of the book, “Heal Your Body” by Louise Hay – where she has listed all the common illnesses and diseases with possible metaphysical causes.
This is the effect of negative emotions on your health –
“If we are willing to do the mental work, almost anything can be healed.” ~ Louise Hay, Heal Your Body A-Z
If you maintain a negative attitude, that invariably attracts negative vibrations and feelings – which disrupts your body’s natural energy flow.
According to Davis Suzuki in ‘The Sacred Life’, condensed molecules from breath exhaled from verbal expressions of anger, hatred, and jealousy, contain toxins. Accumulated over 1 hr, these toxins are enough to kill 80 guinea pigs! Imagine the harm negative behavior does to your body.
I was quite astounded when I read in the chart some of the pain areas for my Mom and the related thought patterns – it was very appropriate. So if you become aware of your health problem, you can use the power of your mind and heart to heal the body. There are several ways to achieve that through Yoga, Meditation, Earthing, creative visualization, or relaxation to name a few. The power is in your mind; don’t forget, your thoughts have tremendous power!
Here’s an excerpt from the book, “Heal Your Body” by Louise L. Hay. It shows the physical symptoms are related to a prevailing mental or emotional state.
Imagine the power of your thoughts, when you are feeling some kind of pain, that can be aggravated or alleviated by your mind. If you think “I am in too much pain,” then you are going to be in pain, whereas if you think the opposite, it begins to subside. (Try it out)
We chanced upon this amazing talk by the Poland-born French-American mathematician known as the ‘father of fractal geometry’, where he spoke about how he discovered fractals, and how scientists, architects and artists have unconsciously applied fractular geometry to their work. This was one of his last few talks before he left us.
What’s even more interesting is not only do these geometric patterns apply to nature but fractal geometry can also be used to predict the way the stock market moves. Something that perhaps nobody else can lay claim is the appearance of a crop circle in the form of the Mandelbrot in Cambridge UK, spotted a few days after a talk given by the man himself in the vicinity in 1990.
