Tag Archives: metaphor

February 2013 Soul and Solace

Creativity/Spirituality, , , , , ,

True North

February is a study in contrasts. In Austin, February’s the month most likely to bring sleet, snow, and sweat—often within the same week. We celebrate Valentine’s Day: balloons, hearts, and bouquets, and Christians observe Lent: silence, reflection, and confession.

By February we’ve had time to get real about those new year’s resolutions we made. What are we really determined to do? Where are we headed? Charles Kimball’s book, When Religion Becomes Evil, encourages readers to think of their life’s journey in terms of a compass, rather than a map. In other words, instead of seeking what specific turns and highways we’re supposed to take, we determine our highest value and, when faced with a decision, make the choice that points us true north.

I can’t control what comes into my life; I can determine my response to it. I can seek to face Godward. When I take a wrong turn, all I have to do is realize it, turn around, and continue north.

So in this month of contrasts, I’m seeking to face Godward, journey true north, and just see where it takes me. What is your true north? What metaphor(s) inform your life choices? We’d love to hear your thoughts.

January 2011 Soul and Solace

Creativity/Spirituality, , , , ,

Personal Mandalas

According to Joseph Campbell, every world religion employs the circle as a metaphor. Inspired by the mandala-making practice of the Tibetan monks, we began the new year by creating personal mandalas. We kept our guidelines simple, so each person could follow the leanings of her soul ( “soul” understood as the whole of us: our total being).

Personal Mandala Guidelines:

  1. Employ a circle to depict your soul; you might include your values and how you hope to live into them, and/or how you embody the physical elements, and/or how you see yourself connected to all that is;
  2. employ symmetry in your design; and
  3. employ symbols, feeling free to create your own. You may wish to choose a visual metaphor for your soul and place it in the very center of the circle. What describes you?

To begin, we viewed mandalas from a number of traditions (found on an Internet image search) and then set about creating our own, using a variety of arts materials: a practice that I expect will take at least the entire month. I’m finding mandala making a challenge that I both dread and anticipate.

Wish to create a personal mandala as your new year’s practice? If so, we would love to see it! Share your mandala (and a description of it, if you’d like).