The chakras are represented by rainbows of color, with light moving through and illuminating them. Lotus flowers are a symbol for awakening to the spiritual reality of life. The six pointed star is the central image in the heart chakra. The heart chakra is the middle chakra in a system of seven. It symbolizes the two polarities of body and spirit as interpenetrating in perfect balance. The triangle pointing upward symbolizes matter rising into spirit. The downward triangle represents spirit descending into manifestation. The chain in this symbolizes the illusion that the way to the center, to enlightenment is barred and difficult to attain.

This mandala seemed to have named itself. Even while I was making it, I just found that I was calling it by this name. At that time I hadn’t read the Heart Sutra. Perhaps it doesn’t illustrate the sutra literally, nevertheless no other name seems right. Though I’m not a Buddhist I have a longstanding interest in, and appreciation for, the teachings.

All my mandalas, whether they’re drawings or from photographs of flowers, are created intuitively.  The elements in the images aren’t consciously chosen for their symbolism. The meaning is revealed when the mandalas are completed. I hope you find the mandala a beautiful meditation.

The following is the mantra, in Sanskrit, for the Heart Sutra and one translation for it by George Boeree, Ph.D. It’s said to be the mantra that removes all suffering.

Gaté, gaté, paragaté, parasamgaté. Bodhi! Svaha!  Which means… Gone, gone, gone over, gone fully over. Awakened! So be it!

For anyone who might be interested, I’d like to share a video of the heart sutra and mantra being sung by Imee Ooi, with wording added to help you understand what you’re listening to. Thanks to fastzone for the video. As he says, stay peaceful.

Peace Mushroom - a naturally formed peace symbol

Mushroom Village - mushrooms lit by the setting sun.

My husband has such a good eye! While out on a bike ride, he spotted a group of good sized mushrooms beside the bike path. He stopped to look, and noticed that one of the mushrooms had a naturally formed peace symbol in the center of its cap.

He took me back over there that day, just as the sun was setting, so I could get a shot. It looks so very cool, don’t you think? It’s nearly perfectly formed natural peace mandala – a lovely little Peace Out from Mother Nature.

The second shot is of a nearby group of the same variety of mushrooms. You can see others in the background, looking like a little mushroom village. The rays from the setting sun came through the trees to light up one side of the mushroom to give a lovely golden glow.

Don’t you just love finding things like this? I hadn’t thought that a peace symbol was something that could occur naturally! There are amazing little surprises all around if you notice them – or are lucky enough to have someone point them out for you. Thank you, honey!

A Handbook of Chinese Healing Herbs by Daniel Reid tells us the skin of the tree peony root is used medicinally, and has earned the title, “King of Flowers”, and “a hundred ounces of gold”. It’s part of the famous women’s tonic called Four Things Soup, that can also be beneficial as a blood tonic for men.

A sensual flower with a heavenly scent, it is said that they also embody romance and love. I was surprised to learn that peonies are a native of Siberia. One legend, from Greek mythology, is that the peony was named after Paeon, the Greek god of healing. In ancient folklore, it was believed that the moon goddess created this flower to reflect the moon’s beams during the night. Isn’t that one lovely?

The peony is used as a in Feng Shui cure for love and romance. This is said to apply especially to two pink peonies. They can assist in attracting an ideal mate, enhancing your love life, and in having a lucky marriage. (Feng Shui “cures” are alterations in your environment that result in desired life changes.) In the ancient art of Feng Shui, there’s a great deal of helpful advice for the optimal placement of all elements in the home.

It can’t be a surprise that there’s so much lore concerning this well loved flower. Whether you would like to bring more good fotune into your life or simply enjoy their beauty, peonies have a rich history. It’s easy to see why they are an enduring favorite in the garden.