Resting Place
Artist's Journey
Resting Place is made up entirely of photographs taken in (literally!) and around my garden pond; it even contains underwater photos of the fish within it. These layers - the subtle in-between - and their significance may be viewed here
Having created the artwork I waited, to no avail, for a title to appear. Quite often the title and its 'quality' appear simultaneously. Sometimes I have to wait, and even do some digging around the feelings and sensations I experience, before receiving inspiration; this was one such occasion, so I let go and carried on with my daily life.
The following day I attended a chanting circle. Normally the time is spent chanting, uplifting in itself, but on this day there was added depth in that the facilitator introduced the intention behind our first chant, Om Namo Narayanaya - an ego humbling prayer translating as, 'let us bow to the Divine'. In Sanskrit, another name for water is 'naara' but it may also mean living entities. The resting place, 'Ayana', for Lord Vishnu is also 'naara'; hence Narayanaya means 'resting place for all living entities'.
The seeds had now been sown for the essence, title and quality to be revealed, but there was still more to come. Returning home I continued researching, this time into Lord Vishnu. In Hindu tradition there are three supreme deities that form the Trimurti, or holy trinity, Brahma - the Creator, Shiva - the Destroyer and Vishnu - the Preserver.
Vishnu, as preserver, is the sustainer of all creation. His abode is the Causal waters which have their home deep within the human heart. It is here where light pierces the glamour of illusion, for Vishnu does not tolerate ego, to guide all beings on a course of surrender in their search for higher Truth. To date he has had nine incarnations, including Lord Krishna and Buddha, the first of which was Matsya - a fish - whose role was to preserve life at the time of the great flood.
The pieces of the jigsaw were assembled, the dots were joined, and my search for a title fell miraculously into place. 'Resting Place' is perfect in both name and purpose; its alignment quality, 'Cosmic Waters' says it all. More, however, has yet to be revealed, including the part you play in spreading its message abroad.
There are many versions of the chant. Below are links to two; modern and more traditional. The third is said to be the supreme Vishnu mantra and connects to the divine light within, the Preserver in you. This MV version is profoundly beautiful and well worth watching as you contemplate Resting Place. Vision, artist's journey, the subtle in-between and your own passage through time are seamlessly integrated when you sing your song to Vishnu and bathe in his Cosmic waters... Your open and vulnerable heart leads the way...
Om Namo Narayanaya by Deva Premal
Om Namo Narayanaya by Padma Vibhushan Dr. K.J. Yesudas
Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya by Deva Premal
The vision, Resting Place features in both Walk the Rainbow and Key of Light contemplation cards.