Birth of Beauty
Mandalas (Sacred Circles) created by out~patient supervisors at Health Affiliates Maine in Expressive Arts Therapy demonstration. I had the joy of facilitating the demonstration and witnessing this birth of beauty!
Mandalas (Sacred Circles) created by out~patient supervisors at Health Affiliates Maine in Expressive Arts Therapy demonstration. I had the joy of facilitating the demonstration and witnessing this birth of beauty!
Photos by Akiba Mermey
Dreary grey
to golden turbulence
simmering with magical beings,
making fairy tales
a way of life.
Poem by Maryam Mermey
Sometimes it is the darkness
which carries our souls
like a womb,
until the light
dances through the eye of a needle
and we hope
this to be
God's eye.
Jewelry & Poem by Maryam Mermey
Photo and Fusing Glass Mandala by Maryam Mermey
Exploring Yin and Yang Through a Fusing Glass Mandala
According to Chinese philosophy, yin is the feminine or receptive principle and yang is the masculine or expressive principle. As human beings we all have both principles and require a balance of yin and yang to give our intentions and ultimately, our purpose, the best chance of fulfillment. According to Sanscrit, the ancient language of India, mandala means Sacred Circle. In other words, the Divine is the center of the circle and the Divine is the circumference of the circle. In the center of the mandala above, the yin or receptive principle is represented by the figure leaning against the left side of the Tree of Life listening for Divine Guidance. The head is bowed in a gesture of turning inward. The yang or expressive principle is represented by the figure leaning against the right side of the Tree of Life expressing Divine Guidance. The head, the body, and the legs are pointing outwards in a gesture of manifestation. In the circumference of the circle, the transluscent triangle on the left and the transluscent rectangle on the right suggest the presence of mystery in both the act of listening and the act of responding. The blue shape towards the top of the tree symbolizes the heart of the Tree of Life, which unites both yin and yang. The firing process brings out the luminosity of all the pieces reflecting the alchemical process which is available to all human beings.
Photo by Maryam Mermey
Exploring the Conscious and Unconscious Through Jewelry Making
Carl Jung, a Swiss psychiatrist brought to light the concept of what is conscious or within our awareness and the concept of the unconscious or that which lies outside our awareness. According to Jung, it is this merging of opposites, which allows us to find balance and our core Self or illuminated identity. The medium of fused glass which means melting two or more layers of glass in a glass kiln is a powerful way to not only help see and but wear the manifestation of possibilities as a form of actualizing potential. Making fused jewelry such as the necklace and earrings above reminds us that there are unknown qualities waiting in the shadows of our being longing for expression as well as qualities and spiritual gifts already in the light of consciousness. The earring in the shadow on the left represents the unconscious and the earring in the light on the right represents consciousness. A star expresses the essence of an embodied human being. The necklace above illuminates the balance of opposites with the guiding star in the middle as the core or spiritual Self. The firing process reveals potentials hidden from view in the unconscious until great heat is applied, which can be looked at as the firing process of life's challenges bringing strengths to the light of consciousness.
Photo by Akiba Mermey
A Transfigured World
Running in snowshoes
Running in sneakers
in a world transfigured by ice
until we are
part of the same landscape
moving...
together.
by Maryam Mermey
Photo by Akiba Mermey
Each morning
its own
soul sound.
Breathing in pure Qi
from the place which never ends,
breathing out snowy light
until the body glistens
and fears
become songs.
listen.
by Maryam Mermey
Photo by Akiba Mermey
Portals of Light for 2017
Portals of light
in the darkness.
Streaming into the unknown...
Powered by soul colors
sharing Divine Inheritance
at the speed of light.
Sending wishes
that love be known
in every hue.
by Maryam Mermey
Photo of Mallard Couple by Akiba Mermey
Breathing
Breathing in
golden, early morning light
Breathing out
irredescent spirit
The comfort of floating
in the presence
of your best friend
and
Beloved.
by Maryam Mermey
Deer Photo by Akiba Mermey
Liberation
May your whole being
stretch out
in the liberation of flight,
responding to the calls
of your noble purpose.
May the compassion
of your forest colored eyes,
be ever present to inspire
the pathways of your dreams.
May you be ever alert
and in alignment with the movements
of your living heart.
by Maryam Mermey
Winterberry Photo by Akiba Mermey
Heart Fire
Heart fire in winter
Nature's creative genius
Daring to arch, bend, reach... and
inspire
by Maryam Mermey