Let Thought Become Your
Beautiful Lover

Let thought become the beautiful Woman.

Cultivate your mind and heart to that depth

That it can give you everything
A warm body can....

... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, Mandala Madness, hosted at shirleytwofeathers.com, and can be found in its entirety here: Your Beautiful Lover

As Without - So Within

The mandala is one of the most potent symbols of humankind. Its circular form and concentric structure reflect the shape of the universe outside and the sense of perfection within. Mandalas are seen as sacred places which, by their very presence in the world, remind a viewer of the immensity and the sanctity of the universe and its potential in oneself.

In the Buddhist tradition, the purpose of a mandala is to put an end to human suffering, to attain enlightenment and to attain a correct view of Reality. It is a means to discover divinity by the realization that it resides within one's own self. Concentration on its form and content is an aid to prayer and meditation, leading eventually to a complete at-oneness with the world. At the center of every mandala is the Bindhu; the point, which is the symbol of emptiness.

Shown below, is an interpretation of The Cosmic Mandala from a mural painting at a wall of the Zong in Paro-Bhutan. It is an abstract form representing the the primary movement of the universe, the cosmic motion of the planets and the elements.

Pennsylvania Dutch Hex Signs

Traditional Pennsylvania Dutch hex signs are commonly found at the peaks of barns in Pennsylvania and the surrounding area. These circular hex signs have much mystery, myth and confusion surrounding them.

Some traditions teach that "painted prayers," invocations and petitions made visible, asking God for the blessing of protection for home and farm, good fortune, abundance and prosperity or inviting guests to be welcome.

Traditional hexen are painted directly on the barn surface, and use a minimal number of primary colors, black and white. The painted used a compass made from a nail, string and pencil to inscribe large circles and arcs. Modern hexen are painted on plywood circles that are painted in the same color as the barn and mounted with screws. They can also be painted on smaller circles for display in the house, and sometimes are used to adorn hope chests, baby cradles or decorative (or functional) boxes.

Ritual

When you sit down to pray
And then you kneel and then lie flat on your face
When you draw a blank and in disgust you say to the floor
I’m stumped – I’m all out of knowing what to pray for!

Oh! My heart skips a beat!

You let out an exasperated sigh and beat your fists on your head
You say – I give up! Use me for your purpose then!
Make me babble in a crowd – throw me in front of a bus!
I’m done caring about what you do or why you do it!

You think you are punishing me
I think I have never been more in love!

~by Grace Gibson