Sacred art, books, and instruction
Recently, SFMOMA San Francisco Museum of Modern Art had a design exhibit on Sea Ranch, a development in Northern California that had an enormous impact on architecture and design. I had no idea. I was dismissive at first, as if they were enshrining something as common as dirt. Yet it was one of those eye-opening …
Found this wonderful article (link below) on ritual ornamentation (Alankara) while doing some research. Highly recommended. I will probably use it both as a reference and assign it in classes on sacred art. Key takeaway, barely mentioned but very significant: “In temples, the decoration of the deity is believed not only to create a beautiful …
ABHINAVAGUPTA AND THE CONCEPT OF IGNORANCE IN KASHMIR SHAIVISM Excerpt from: Quarterly Malini published by Ishwar Ashram Trust, by Prof. Debabrata Sensharma. Art : Aparā Devī, sitting on her consort Navātma-bhairava. Drawing by Ekabhumi Ellik, painted by Carmen Richards. Ignorance is a truth that all human beings perceive in their life in this world. All schools …
Continue reading→ “Aparā Devī, Abhinavagupta, and Ignorance”
Here is the best place to get natural eco-friendly Ganesh idols! Because it is traditional to immerse the icon in flowing water (or the sea) after religious festivals, a tremendous amount of pollution is created when plastic or plaster statues covered in toxic paints are “returned”. There is now an entire movement around statues made …
“Ethical” is such a nebulous term in relation to new technology. I personally believe that human artists mostly do organically what machines do mechanically – digest a bunch of influences/data/images, blend it, then regurgitate a synthesis. I don’t think what most artists do is original or “creative” in the sense of true innovation. My take …
Continue reading→ “AI Art, Artificial Intelligence, and Originality”
Such a delighful conversation about such an important topic. Ekabhumi will be teaching with world-renowned Kathak dancer and instructor Shambhavi Dandekar as well as Shivani Hawkins, founder of Living Sanskrit online school. Did you know that the Aesthetic theory behind the Bhavas and Rasas influenced the arts across South Asia? Did you know you can …
It’s important to remember that we modern humans live in a bubble culture that excludes other points of view and ways of being. American media has troubling biases baked in. There’s no question that whyte culture is presented as “normal” in ways that not only rob us of exposure to the richness and diversity of …
Continue reading→ “Artificial Intelligence and Emotional Expression”
Have you ever heard of the term “Bhav” or “Bhava” or “Bhāva”? Even if you have, but you don’t know how intentionally cultivating Bhāvas (emotional disposition/attitude/sentiment) can empower your spiritual practice, expand your creative range, and enrich your understanding of India’s rich culture, then read on. Seriously, if you aren’t utilizing Bhāva while doing your …
Continue reading→ “Delightful Importance of Bhavas and Rasas”
Happy Ganesh Chaturthi, everyone! Deep pranams to the Joyful One, the Guardian of Thresholds, the Lord of the Gaṇas who has an elephant head, an enormous belly, a fondness for sweets, and gigantic ears to hear the prayers of those in need. I’m very pleased to announce that this drawing of Śrī Mahāgaṇapati has been …
Ekabhumi checks in with an update on his recently published Shakti Coloring Book: EPIC NEWS! The magazine about Yoga with the largest circulation in the world, Yoga Journal, just did a full-page spread endorsing the Shakti Coloring Book. WOW! You can check it out in the September issue starting now. This is especially exciting for …
Continue reading→ “Shakti Coloring Book Featured in Yoga Journal”