Elements of Gesture

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The Siddha Yoga Message for 2001 (Approach the present with your heart's consent. Make it a blessed event.) inspired the digital artwork entitled Elements of Gesture. (1)

To make an event blessed depends on our state of mind and, as the message indicates, how engaged in the present moment we are. The saints and enlightened beings give themselves fully to each moment and, in this way, experience every event as blessed. Being in the state of Self-realization – being fully present – they imbue each moment, action, and place with sacredness. Their actions and teachings serve as a guide to seekers on how to obtain this state of full potential. Through grace, yoga, meditation and spiritual practices, we expand our awareness and open our heart to greater and greater love. In this way, we make each moment, action, and event blessed.

Imagery in the Artwork

The imagery in Elements of Gesture symbolizes this path of enlightenment. The pathway is an inner one with the psychic energy centers within us serving as milestones that correspond to specific stages of inner expansion. As we transform the lower instinctive behavior into the expanded energy of unconditional love, we reach the pinnacle of human existence – unity consciousness, recognition of the one consciousness present in all things – animate and inanimate. The imagery in the digital artwork symbolizes the connection of our inner and outer world with universal consciousness.

Each psychic center represents one of the basic elements of nature – earth, water, fire, air and ether. The images, colors, and textures signify the physical and subtle nature of the elements. The location of elements creates distinct divisions in the artwork.

The hands and their vertical positions in the picture area correlate to the psychic energy centers. The hand gestures are called yogic mudras. These gestures evoke divine powers in order to intensify mental concentration. (2) Each gesture depicts the psychic quality of the center it represents. The specific display of the hands also gives insight into the unique significance of the corresponding energy center.

Elements of Nature

Distinct areas within the piece represent the basic elements of earth, water, fire, air, and ether. At the bottom of the picture, the blue area represents the water element. This area contains a wave-like movement superimposed over an image of water and ice portraying the various states and movement of water. The texture of this area suggests another characteristics of water – its transparency.

The next area uses the colors of greens, yellow, and brown to convey the earth element. Date palms and Mexican fans depict the fertile earth. The sunlight filtering through the palms displays bright yellows and dark browns. It is sunlight that sustains the vegetation – it sustains life.

The fire and air element is represented in the center of the earth region. The scene of sky showing the movement of clouds at the moment of sunrise denotes the air element. The clouds suggest a fleeting feeling that corresponds to the nature of our thoughts. The red area, resembling a caldron, symbolizes the fire element. You'll notice that the color and texture of the caldron has the appearance of magma inside a volcano. An image of the surface of the sun creates the appearance of the fire element and is naturally associated with the nature of fire.

The upper portion of the picture with its multi-blue hues represents the element of ether. In addition, the image of outer space showing a gaseous formation helps to convey the visceral feeling of ether. The following sections on the different energy centers give further information on the elements of nature.

First Energy Center

To study of the meaning of the hand gestures (mudras), start from the bottom of the artwork and move upward. This upward movement corresponds to the purifying movement of the energy that opens the psychic energy centers within us which allows our awareness to expand.

The hand with its closed fist signifies the muladhara chakra or first center at the base of the spine. This center represents the earth element and relates to the feeling of grounded-ness and survival. When this center is fully integrated and functioning, one experiences stillness, firmness and stability. The muladhara chakra houses our innate, dormant spiritual energy called Kundalini. The closed fist signifies her dormant state before being awakened through grace. Also, being closed and compact, the hand suggests " mass," solid form, and planet earth, which correlate to this energy center.

Second Energy Center

Next on our journey, we find the two hands above the closed fist. This gesture symbolizes the second energy center called svadhisthana chakra. One hand has the palm facing downward and the palm of the other hand is facing upward. The position of the hands reflects the importance of balancing the upward (spiritual or transcendent) and downward ("worldly") flowing energy. Desire, pleasure, sexuality, and procreation are associated with the second center.

When the energies are well balanced (balancing a transcendent or spiritual awareness while in the midst of one's worldly duties), the function of desire fulfills the need of life, such as nourishment, warmth, and companionship. In this balanced state, the experience of pleasure exists, but not the attachment to it. The reproductive organs contain the seed of life and, as such, have great power and potential. As the yogi moves this energy or power upward through meditation and other spiritual disciplines, he or she is able to access higher (centers) states of consciousness. The position of the hands supports the idea that the energy of the center can be used in two ways. The yogi uses the energy for spiritual growth. For this reason, the yogic scriptures recommend periods of celibacy.

In addition, this center typifies the water element and relates to the moon. The moon is associated with the cycle of fertility and the cyclic movement of the tides. The moon also affects our emotions. Consequently, self-control and awareness are required to master the energy of this center.

Third Energy Center

The third energy center is called manipura chakra and is located at the region of the navel. The hand on the left with its index finger pointing just above the hands symbolizing the second center, represents the manipura. Due to the angle and foreshortening, the index finger is not easily recognizable. Its location is just above the hands symbolizing the second center.

The extended digit demonstrates the authority of the person doing the pointing. This gesture illustrates personal will and power. When this center is functioning and well-integrated with the rest of our energies, the power inherent in this center gives us the ability to accomplished tasks. The will takes the form of directive enthusiasm. Determination and resolve are necessary qualities for personal and spiritual growth.

The element for the third center is fire. Physically, the fire is the digestive system and the action of the muscles. Interestingly, weight lifters and athletes speak of the burn as they work their muscles – they are experiencing the fire element in the action of the muscles. Laughter and joy are inner states of this center. We speak of a belly-laughter. This type of laughter is genuine and healthy and warms the body. And we experience joy from a task well- performed. Joy carries the warmth of satisfaction.

The planets associated with third center are Mars and the Sun. Good uses of these energies are sports and activities that require organizational skills and purpose. Even anger when used without resentment has the ability to act as a catalyst for change. The yogis perform a type of deep belly breathing and use the fire in the manipura chakra to move and expand the spiritual energy upward. The power in this center helps their resolve and determination to stay on their course to the state of enlightenment in which the individual will and the divine will merge.

Fourth Center

The fourth center is called anahata chakra and is located in the region of the heart. Anahata in Sanskrit means "unstruck, or a sound made without two things striking." This word conveys a sense of primordial existence.

In this digital artwork, the hands are in an open and expanded position, forming a receptacle for love. This position also implies that the hands can move laterally, indicating greater capacity for love. The element of the fourth center is air, which has a light and flowing quality. Similarly, love has the quality of lightness and freedom. Love moves outward to include others and expands the heart center. It is a state of great freedom and is not an attachment to someone or something. Here, the hands are level with each another showing the importance of the balance between the love of one's self and others, which is the acknowledgement of love in all. The movement of love is balanced between receiving and giving. Compassion, devotion and selfless-service are also associated with this center. Compassion allows us to feel connected and to see that Supreme Consciousness exists in everyone. When this center is completely expanded, we naturally see God in each other.

Fifth Center

The fifth center is called visuddha, which means "purification" in Sanskrit. As the word suggests, one who has this center opened and fully functioning has obtained a level of purity or detachment. This chakra is located at the throat and is the center of communication. All forms of creative communication arise from the flow of energy through this center. Being in the throat region, the power associated with this center is through sound vibrations of verbal communication. When the energy flows from the lower centers through this center, self-expression occurs carrying the fully integrated wisdom and experience of the lower centers. When the lower chakras are fully opened and functioning, self-expression has a healing, uplifting effect. Spoken words by enlightened beings contain and transmit the experience of their enlightened state.

The visuddha chakra is associated with the element ether, which is the subtlest of the elements and often is referred to as space or the void. The dark blue area in the upper half of the artwork symbolizes the realm of ether or akasha. The hand with its index finger pointing upward is directing the way to enlightenment.

The Sixth Center

The sixth center located between the eyebrows is called the ajna chakra. Ajna is a Sanskrit word meaning "to perceive," as well as "to command." There is no element associated with this center. The function of the ajna chakra is intuited knowing. When Kundalini rises to this level, the person has the power to bestow blessings. For this reason, the hand is in the traditional position of giving blessings. This is also the traditional position of fearlessness.

The third eye is located in the region of the red circle, and is associated with the ajna chakra. The third eye has the ability to see the past, present, and future. From this center the inner command is given to ascend to the crown center, the seeker's ultimate destination on the path to Self-realization. Unity-consciousness is the crest jewel of human attainment as symbolized by the blue gem.

The Seventh Center

The seventh center, also know as the crown chakra, is called the sahasrara. In Sanskrit, sahasrara means "a thousandfold." No hands represent this center because it is beyond the manifested physical world. However, the radiating light blue lines signify the thousand-folded aspect of the chakra. Notice that the lines flow outward from the sides of the blue jewel that symbolizes the unmanifested form of consciousness. As Kundalini enters this center, attachment to the manifested world ceases and pure awareness exists. With this center fully unfolded, the enlightened one carries into his or her life and environment the experience of the absolute – a sense of deep serenity filled with the bliss that comes from the recognition of the underlying unity of all creation.

Connection with Universal Consciousness

Universal Consciousness, being eternal and dimensionless, is associated with the crown chakra. Consciousness is the matrix that interpenetrates and, therefore, connects all living and nonliving things. A drawing of the cross-section of the shell shows the connection between our inner psychic centers and universal consciousness. The visual movement of the shape illustrates our inner expansion as well. The digital drawing begins at the first center, the muladhara chakra, and ends in the crown chakra. The lines connect all the centers to the Universal Consciousness of the seventh center. Also, the centralized black outline drawing integrates the areas representing the elements of nature.

The drawing of the shell also shows growth unfolding logarithmically, a fundamental pattern found throughout Nature, such as in flowers, leaves, shellfish, and even in the human hand. (3) The relationship with geometry and this natural growth pattern is known as the golden section. The proportions of the golden rectangle (section) demonstrate the harmonious relatedness of all things.

The yellow drawing of a head in the area of the crown chakra resembles the dome of a temple or stupa. The idea is that the crown chakra is the temple of God – the seat of consciousness. The colors of the gaseous formations found in outer space suggests the void out of which all creation comes. The upward glancing eyes of the meditating face indicates the merging of individual consciousness into the Universal Consciousness.

The textured radiating lines in this section resemble the flying hair of Shiva found in the South Indian sculpture of Nataraja. Nataraja depicts Shiva dancing wildly as he performs his fivefold activity of creation, maintenance, dissolution, concealment, and grace. The Tirukutta Darshana (Vision of the Sacred Dance) mentions that Shiva dances in our body as the congregation. (4) The yogi experiences the dance in the divine space of the heart. The crown chakra is the heart of Supreme Consciousness. One of the great messages of the Nataraja is that the fivefold activity of Shiva is going on every moment within us.

The tortoise symbolism refers to the Old Tortoise Man in Hindu Mythology. He is also called Kashyapa, lord and progenitor of all beings: gods, demons, animals, and men. (5) In the Vedas he is associated with the origin of knowledge. (6) For this reason, the tortoise is placed at the bottom of the artwork to signify the creation of the world and the origin of knowledge for spiritual advancement. At the entrance of some Hindu temples, the form of the tortoise is honored.

Methods for Contemplation

The imagery of the artwork denotes the macrocosm – the Cosmic Being as the manifestation of the world – and our own microcosm of the psychic energy centers. Through the microcosm we connect with the macrocosm. The representation of the elements of nature, the psychic energy centers and other easily recognizable images make the artwork a visual aid for contemplation. Contemplation is a means by which we connect with our divine nature. View Ways to Participate in the Experience of Art for methods of contemplation that can be used with this piece.

Approach the Present, Make it a Blessed Event, SYDA Foundation, 2001
Kundalini: the Arousal of the Inner Energy, Ajit Mookerjee, Destiny Books, New York, 1983, p. 32
The Power of Limits: Proportional Harmonies in Nature, Art, & Architecture, Gyorgy Doczi, Shambhala, Boston, 1985, pp.1-3
The Dance of Shiva: Essays on Indian Art and Culture, Ananda K. Coomaraswamy, Dover Publication, Inc., New York, 1985, p. 60
Myths and Symbols in Indian Art and Civilization, Heinrich Zimmer, edited by Joseph Campbell, Bollingen Series, Princeton, New Jersey, second edition, 1974, p.5
The Gods of India: Hindu Polytheism, Alain Dani?lou, Inner Traditions International, Ltd., New York, 1985, p. 317