Welcome to the last of the videos I’ll be sharing here from my 2 months at Ananda Assisi while I was doing the Transformative Arts Certificate program at the Academy of Art, Creativity & Consciousness. (you can see them all on my Youtube Channel)

This video and the peacock art piece were my Final Project for Level 1 – A Personal Journey.

I dedicate this creation to all beings of many realms who helped bring me to and shape the sacred container for this summer’s journey & process. You know who you are.

For the first 75 seconds of this Final Project, I chose to play with the symbolism of the lotus flower …. or it chose me.

With just a few days left in Italy,  I was compelled to walk to the studio in the dark to set up my 2 iPhones so I could film a 3-hour Timelapse of the lotus flowers opening. I’d been a witness to their beauty all summer and marvelled at the life within this small fountain – a snake, tadpoles, koi fish, a chorus of frogs, and mating dragonflies.

In some cultures, the lotus  symbolizes the path to enlightenment, with each petal representing a step towards spiritual growth and transformation.

Also a symbol of beauty, purity and overcoming adversity, the lotus emerges clean from the murky waters and mud in which it grows.

You can see in the timelapse of the trio, that every morning, lotuses dance their new beginning, opening and rising to the light of the sun. That’s why they’re also a symbol of rebirth.

Then came the manifestation of a vision I’d had of filming Paramjoti’s exquisite dancing prayer against the blue backdrop of the Ananda temple roof. I’d been daydreaming of slow motion shots of her whirling skirts, especially while lying facing up near her feet.

She herself was like a lotus flower opening to the Light.

Footage of her graceful spiritual expression became the ribbon of light that unites all 3 parts of this video.

And that blue temple cupola that so captured my heart! You’ll see that from the inside during the choir concert, it too is reminiscent of a lotus bloom.

All that happens under it, from daily meditation, classes, concerts, Sunday services, etc. – all are petals of spiritual growth and transformation.

So you can imagine my joy when I let go of my busy-ness and fatigue on this last week of classes to take in one last Ananda Joy Choir evening concert.

That’s when I recorded the song “Cherish These” by Swami Kriyananda, the founder of Ananda. How perfect!

Is there anywhere on earth,
Perfect freedom, sorrow’s dearth,
Selfless friendship, blameless birth?
Cherish these, naught else has worth.

The lotus, the dance, the choir, and the roof to the Temple of Joy – the ideal ingredients to thankfully celebrate my summer experience. 

Our mission for this final transformative art project was to create a process piece that represented our summer’s personal quest.

Tranformative art is about the process, not the product. So I opened to understanding why I’d been so strongly Guided to be in Italy this summer.

As I asked my Team of Divine Helpers for inspiration on one of my walks back to my room 15 minutes away, I received a vision of a peacock tail behind a television playing the many art videos I’d created in my 2 months there. 

I’ve always loved both the beauty and symbolism of the peacock.

Thought of as the modern version of the phoenix, they represent transformation.

But what most impresses me about them is their ability to eat poisonous snakes and plants and transform these toxins into nourishment. What a perfect symbol for transforming one’s challenges into beauty.

This is further enhanced by their many eyes (fanned out along their tail), representing the wise vision necessary to see clearly and live in alignment with Truth.

One of my biggest blessings this summer was breaking my Netflix habit – an overindulgence in watching movies.

I tend to do everything intensively – creative projects, travel, friendships, studies, and yes, watching movies. I’m a Scorpio! But watching too many and sometimes toxic movies isn’t good for my body, mind & spirit.

Months without wifi in my room (or the time with such a full schedule of classes and other opportunities) helped me break my habit.

Each of our program’s weekly themes and my experiences at Ananda awoke a desire to make videos instead. Hundreds of hours went into the creations I’ve shared with you this Fall.

And no doubt that having watched so many movies in my life has given me an insight on the techniques and visual possibilities I explored in this self-taught medium. This was my version of turning toxins into nourishment. 

As I reviewed the pile of artworks from the summer, I was inspired to shape the peacock tail on a labyrinth. I drew and decorated it sitting in front of the school while my cameras were filming the lotus pond.

On another early morning before class, I spontaneously wrote the prayer following the path of the labyrinth.

Once I had the labyrinth tail with its affirmation feathers installed behind the television, I recognized something was missing.

I had a tail. The TV playing my videos became the peacock body. I still needed a head.

Another early morning in the studio and the peacock was complete.

There was no draft for this prayer. I wrote it without stop along the path of the labyrinth, not knowing that I’d be recording it for all to hear…

The journey towards the centre expressed my gratitude for all the blessings of my summer.

The journey back out called upon my Team of Divine Helpers to continue Guiding my way.

This was a surprisingly emotional process.

My heart was so filled with love and gratitude as I was writing my prayer.

That’s when I realized I wanted to include more of the community in my final video – transforming my project into a Thank You gift.

I don’t tend to film people much, so this realization inspired a few creative walkabouts to capture the smiling faces of those I wanted to remember.

Of course I didn’t get everyone. But oh am I ever glad I stretched my comfort zones to ask folks if I could include them in my goodbye video.

This also gave me a chance to invite them to our final exhibition, where I gave away all of my summer’s art pieces in thanks for the difference they’d made in my life there.

I didn’t have enough for all I would have liked to thank. May this video be an extension of my gratitude.

And may it touch your heart in whichever way is meant for you.

Namaste

Dominique Hurley

P.S. If you’re curious about spending 2 months or a thematic week in the Transformative Art program at the Academy of Art, Creativity & Consciousness in Italy, check out their web page here.

P.P.S. If you’ve enjoyed these past few months of inspirational offerings, please consider donating to my art & life fund. All amounts add up and are appreciated. Thank you for your patronage. Click here to donate by PayPal or credit card. 

Back in the 80s, a Psychology professor at Ottawa U pointed out that no one in the room was looking at him in the same way.

Some might think him attractive (I thought so). Others arrogant. Too tall, too short. Some might find his voice annoying. Others soothing. Some might resonate with his way of teaching while others couldn’t wait to get out.

He explained that none of it had anything to do with him. It all had to do with the person looking at him and their perception.

He added that since he couldn’t control what anyone thought of him, he may as well just be himself and not worry about it. I loved that!

He then showed us this classic image and asked if we saw an old woman or young woman.  What about you? What do you see?

It’s both. Look at it long enough and you’ll see.

What is the old woman’s eye as she looks sideways to the left is the young woman’s ear as she looks behind in the same direction.

As this was the first time many had been introduced to this image, there was some rather interesting debates and aha moments.

What was so obvious to one simply wasn’t to another. And vice versa.

This stayed with me, especially when reflecting on first impressions.

When it comes to new environments, I’m definitely of the breed of people that looks for the beauty. I seek beauty and I find it. That’s why I love nature and tourism photography/videography so much. 

Seeing a new place for the first time is so exciting! I’m always taken aback when someone else complains or perceives mostly negatives.

But when it comes to people, I’m still in training.

I surprise myself! It’s like hearing someone else’s voice in my head judging the appearance, the manner, etc. It only lasts a couple of seconds until I catch myself with raised eyebrows thinking “Hey, what’s going on here!”. Obviously a part of me is afraid of something.

What am I afraid of? Being judged myself? Not being able to work with this person? Not understanding the differences? Prejudices I’ve somehow absorbed in life?

I don’t beat myself up about it. That wouldn’t help.

But I am aware that my judgments say more about me than about them. Something triggered something – hmmm… food for thought.

If you’re always able to recognize the other as the expression of the Divine that they are, bravo.

If not, I hope this memory that emerged as I re-watched the first video I created at Ananda Assisi this summer provided a good mirror for you too.

What do you seek when meeting new people, events, environments? What do you find?

I created this video at the end of my first of eight weeks at Ananda Assisi. I’d moved there to do the Transformative Arts Certification Program at the Academy of Art, Creativity & Consciousness across the street.

Spirit had Guided me there. I wasn’t sure why exactly, but I knew I was where I was meant to be.

My heart was wide open and my curiosity heightened. 

I went into this experience expecting the best.

I felt instantly welcomed by and welcoming of both the community and other guests.

That minor extravert part of me came out to play, to interact, to love. 

The mood of this video reflects a lot more than my first impressions of the nature around me. It celebrates the high vibration I felt in the community and in myself.

My love & beauty radar was up and fully rewarded! Seek and you shall find!

As often happens when I share the world through my eyes, the locals are refreshingly surprised and start seeing their world through new eyes. That’s always fun!

Or they are thrilled to see their beloved world recognized and honoured.

I’m grateful that by sharing this with you now, a few months later, I’m reminded to carry that approach to first impressions – of people, places & events – back home, where I’m the local.

Enjoy viewing the Umbrian hills of Italy through my eyes in the video up top.

Have you ever walked a labyrinth?

It can be a boring or a sacred experience. It all depends on how you approach it and how it’s presented. Sacred is much better!

In last week’s post, I shared the historic Chartres Labyrinth on which many around the world are based.

In this video, you’ll share in the magic of the simplified version of the Chartres labyrinth our class created at the Academy of Art, Creativity and Consciousness in Italy several weeks later.

Just investing 7 minutes watching this video can be a meditative experience.

21 students from 7 countries participated in the “Centering: Mandalas, Yantras & Labyrinth” week-long workshop.

On labyrinth day, we started building it at 9:30 am and finished around 6 pm.

Everyone followed their flow to help create it: measuring lines, painting rocks, gathering gifts from Nature, marketing our public event to the Ananda Assisi community, drawing decorative designs, etc.

Students also had their role during the public event. Some were greeters, guardians, musicians, holders of sacred energetic space, and more.

It lasted from 8:30 pm to midnight, and the impact was profound. 

Why? 

First, the space had been energized all day. So much love and beauty were infused in both the process and physical space.

Second, visitors were greeted into the space and instantly felt the movement inward as they took their place in silence.

Third, our teacher, Dana Lynne Andersen, introduced the meaning of the labyrinth and the possibilities of the process.

Fourth, one of our classmates stepped into the labyrinth first, setting the speed.

Greeters made sure the next person was welcomed, re-introduced in Italian or English, and allowed in a few minutes after the previous person. They also made sure those coming out were welcomed back and grounded.

Some were in tears from the transformation and messages they experienced on this inner and outer journey.

Only a few participants were let in at a time. Others held the energy for them while sitting in silence around the circle.

The music, first with the Ananda Joy choir and then a small group including a few classmates, helped set the tone.

Magical!

Below is my text from the video, inviting you to have a meaningful labyrinth experience, whether you walk one in your community, or trace the path with your finger on a smaller one you can design in many mediums.

I just walked one earlier this week that my friend mowed in her lawn. Amazing!

P.S. If you want to design your own labyrinth, there are lots of how-to videos on YouTube. We did quite a few of different styles on paper before tackling this one on the Academy floor.

Welcome to the labyrinth,
A sacred space co-created with love and infused with energy.
There is only one path to the centre & back.
Before you enter,
Set an intention for your journey.
You may have a question for your Team of Divine Helpers.
ou may walk in prayer for yourself or another.
You may meditate on peace or gratitude.

Stay open.
Take your time..
Let go of expectations and simply be –
one step at a time with whatever evolves for you.

When you reach the centre,
Pause, connect, listen, feel.
Then bring what you’ve gathered at your centre
Back out with you,
Remaining attentive during your return journey
To new messages, feelings, insights…

Peace be with you.