Description
Astral Flow explores the movement of life force through the chakras and along the subtle pathway of the astral spine.
The elongated meditator creates a visual sense of upward movement and expansion. Seven chakra centres travel through the figure, following the central energy pathway, while a lotus opens above the crown.
The painting was created as I began Ananda Worldwide’s Know Your Chakras course, exploring the chakra system through the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda.
Although I’ve worked with the chakras for many years—teaching about them and creating guided visioning meditations—I continue to return to these teachings as a lifelong learner. Each return offers another layer of understanding.
The symbolism
In yogic teachings, the astral spine is a subtle energy pathway just forward of the physical spine. The chakras are energy centres along this pathway, through which life force moves.
The direction of that energy matters.
Our actions, attitudes, attachments, and choices can influence whether our energy moves upward or downward. The spiritual practice is to increasingly choose what lifts us—to act from the soul rather than from ego and attachment.
The lotus above the head represents the opening of the seventh chakra and the awakening toward Moksha, or ego-transcendence.
This is not an overnight transformation. It is a progressive journey.
A practice.
A work of lifetimes.
A painting about returning to balance
The elongated figure also speaks to something more universal.
Life asks us to stretch.
Sometimes life itself can be a stretch.
Our inner work is not to achieve some permanent state of perfection, but to return again and again to balance, alignment, and a freer flow of life force.
The turquoise and bronze palette is unusual for my work, with the luminous figure emerging from layers of meditative mark-making and richly textured colour.
Astral Flow is an invitation to pause, turn inward, and contemplate the energy moving through your own journey.
Read full story in September 1, 2026 blog post.
