When the student is ready — Catskill Cottage Seed

76431581 My engagement with the dreams tends to cycle, a few months of steady dreaming, followed by a few months of less regular engagement. Some of that rhythm is due to the focus of life. During periods where extroverted concerns predominate, the dreams tend to slacken in terms of regularity.

Eventually a moment comes along, much like this afternoon while I was walking through the galleries of eastern art in the Art Institute of Chicago. Though I was traversing the length of the building to reach the American galleries, this sculpture of this Bodhisattva caught my attention. I was struck by it’s posture, the leaning to the left off of the center axis. It struck me as a twisting sort of posture, one that denoted movement, one that evoked an intuitive turn, the entry into the imaginal.

I tweeted my question concerning this posture to @bikerbar and was presented with many links that could lead my inquiry which I re-share here:

“bodhisattva iconic art is HUGE topic.. mudras (hand position) get much discussion.. http://tinyurl.com/cekofq .. thrones, mandalas”

“the implements of the bodhisattva is a whole area of iconic study.. http://tinyurl.com/c8akef .. and on and on…”

“I have friends who are Buddhist art historians.. and analyzing art of this kind is their whole area of scholarship…”

“that was an unusual position.. what books I have on Buddhist art… center on mudra, mandalas, and implements.. less on posture..”

“cannot see the hands on the statue.. but it looks relaxed.. and would expect the mudra to reflect that.. or be pointing to earth”

“I remember the “twist” issue.. fun.. I know Jung was interested in mandalas.. don’t remember any interest in mudras..”

“still trying to find a GOOD link on bodhisattva asanas http://tinyurl.com/dz5xgr .. ‘asana’ == ‘posture’, big deal for yoga”

“posture is “Rajalila asana” (kingly ease).. still trying to find a broader discussion of asanas.. http://tinyurl.com/detkfk ”

“could walk over to next door neighbor “walter spink”.. world famous Ajanta cave explorer.. 40 years.. http://tinyurl.com/b8rr3o “

“problem is.. IF talk to Walter Spink about Buddhist art.. may not be found for weeks.. http://tinyurl.com/dm879k GREAT resource”

So, when the student is ready…the teacher appears. (you follow @bikerbar, right?)

Do you notice similar transitions between introverted and extroverted periods in your journey?”

Screwed Up Texan

When I am introverted, I tend to listen more, speak less. Always creative.

When I am extoverted, I tend to talk more, listen less. Always creative.

My creativity/imagination is the same, however it presents itself differently depending on where I am in my journey. For instance, introverted segments of my journey spark my artistic imagination (where I will paint, draw, engage in photography) while extroverted segments peak my mental/writing imagination.

I am not sure if this is the answer you were seeking, but it is what I have found in my life. My imagination stays the same regardless of whether I am feeling introverted or extroverted--I just have new windows of which I look out of. Generally speaking.

ccseed

Hey Allie, I really like how clear you are about the differences. Interesting that we are similar in this way. Some folks tend to lean only one way or the other...

Henie

While I am not a scholar in Eastern Art, the posture of Bodhisattva always conjured movement to me and as you already mentioned. The movement of course being transitional from one to another, sort of in mid movement. Perhaps this was captured right before he was to stand up...this is merely an intuitive observation.

As always, I am amazed how you've tied this transitional movement to our journey of introverted/extroverted periods. I must admit that my transitions are so subtle that I never paid any mind until you posited the question.

Mostly and naturally, I am an extroverted individual. It is interesting to me that my moments of introversion occurs during intense creative pursuits and processes...especially when creating and materializing my creative thoughts.

What about you? What transitions have you noticed for you?

ccseed

Interestingly enough, and somewhat expected, last night I had a vivid dream about solidifying relationships in this space. (Thanks for the portrait that I put up on my about page)