Mandalas by Mirtala - Explanatory Notes
The interplay of light and dark of the open and solid semi-circles represents the polarities and the dual nature of creation - spiritual and material. Together they form a full circle, symbol of oneness, completion and perfection. The open or negative spaces are the potential or matrix of the visible material world.
Interweaving through these designs is the spiral, representing cosmic life energy in motion, as a sine wave. It depicts cycles of change and alternation of polarities in the infinity of evolution.
1. THE SOURCE - The curved line dividing the circle indicates the dynamic movement and alternation of polarities. The ascending figures span the space between the two, as each polarity contains an element of its opposite.
The circle –
oneness, completion, perfection of Ceation.
It is dual in nature –
active and passive, spiritual and material.
These complementary polarities
interact in an eternal dynamic rhythm, each containing elements of its opposite.
And we partake of both…
2. PROJECTION INTO BEING - The open circle and the space beyond it are the invisible world out of which the physical reality arises. The energies which “project” the human being into existence are polarized: good/evil, active/passive, creative/destructive. They are represented by the dual line, bringing the figure into the opaque physical form out of the void of the circle.
The creative impulse…
From the unmanifest into the world of matter.
3. ENDLESS BECOMING - The figures ascending from the lower “earth” region into the upper “heaven” indicate the potential of human evolution. The large figure at the junction of the two hemispheres represents humanity as it is in the “now” moment, spanning both worlds and progressing into infinity. It is not really going anywhere, only changing and evolving.
From Earth to Heaven –
from the physical into the spiritual.
A continuous progression…
4. INTO MANIFESTATION - The opaque circle (earth) and the open (heaven) intersect, creating a “mandorla” – a space, where existence occurs.The open circle is the Ouroboros, a snake biting its tail, symbolizing a cyclic process of creation and destruction and endless regeneration.
Mandorla –
plane of existence
where matter and spirit are joined..
Created by the interesection of circles –
Earth and Heaven.
5. COSMIC ORBITS - The eternal cycles of creation through manifestation and dissolution.
Endless journey through cycles of evolution,
birth and death…
6. MOTHER NATURE - The two opposing complementary polarities converge to create the manifest reality or Mother Nature.
The dual flow
of positive-negative, constructive-destructive forces
converges into what becomes
Manifest Creation or Mother Nature.
7. THE LOTUS - The lotus grows through mud and obstacles to reach the sun and is the symbol of spiritual striving and evolution.
Spiritual growth, like the lotus,
starts in darkness,
until it reaches the sun…
8. CENTRAL SUN - The spiral in the small circle is the “Unmoved Mover”, the central point out of which creation emerges. The human being, spanning both halves of the large circle representing our reality, is the highest form of creation in this dual universe.
The human being
caught between the polarities of matter and spirit.
Ever drawn to the Source…
9. THE ENCOUNTER - The figure inside the opaque semi-circle is connecting with its Higher Self by breaking through the illusory barrier between the two realities.
Meeting one’s Higher Self…
By crossing the boundary between the two realities.
10. PATH TO SELF - The spiral is the symbol of motion and progressive development. Beyond its center lies a new reality and the spiral reverses its spin.
The spiral –
cosmic life energy, motion, evolution,
progression from multiplicity to oneness.
Its center – the gateway
from the material into the beyond.
11. EVOLUTION - Gradual progression of the spiral unfolds into a liberated existence.
From an undifferentiated to an individuated state
and spiritual being.
12. INDIVIDUATION - The sphere represents different stages of evolution, as the individual Self unfolds its potential and becomes a free self-realized being.
Spiritual freedom lies in non-attachment…
13. ASPIRATION - The spiral within the circle is the cosmic life energy flowing through creation from its center. The figure appears to be striving to reach this center, unaware of their inseparable connection.
The inescapable pull towards the Source…
14. TWO OFFERINGS - Two attitudes: restless asking and surrender. The burning lotus – symbol of spiritual striving, evoked by the cosmic spiral above.
Two attitudes:
“Give me!”
and
“Thy will be done”.
15. PHOENIX - Symbol of immortality and resurrection, believed to set itself afire to rise again and again from its ashes. Here the wings of the Phoenix have pierced the confining circle, gaining freedom from the endless repetition of cycles of self-destruction.
Rising from its ashes…
Immortality and resurrection.
16. DUALITY OF BEING - Human life is pulled by two opposing yet complementary forces of physical reality.
Existing between two polarities –
good and evil,
creation and destruction,
action and passivity…
17. WHENCE AND WHITHER - From where do we come and where do we go? The spiritual level (circle) and the material (square) represent the full range of human experience. Different levels or dimensions can be discerned in the progression of the central human outline entering from the invisible down into the 3-D level, seen in the figure in the foreground.
From a potential state – into a state of matter.
From Heaven (circle)
into Earth (square)
18. THE GUIDES - The human being emerges into the material world, protected and watched by beings from the spiritual realm.
On our journey into the material plane
we are never alone…
19. FATE AND FREE WILL - The figure on the left is held prisoner by the law of cause and effect of material existence. On the right – freedom gained by free will surrendered to Spirit.
The wheels of cause and effect
hold us prisoner,
until we become free and step out.
20. WHEELS OF COINCIDENCE - The world of matter stands in the way of direct communication of soul to soul.
Our true Self
reaches out across the material barrier…
21. INTERDEPENDENCE - Humanity is a hologram of interconnected points of consciousness. What happens to one affects all.
No one is an island…
22. LIBERATION - Out of the fire of experience emerges freedom, joy, and enlightenment.
Emergence into magnificence…
 Updated March 18, 2008 |
