Energy And The Natural Beauty of Sacred Geometry

This is Part 2 of my reporting on my recent trip to the Santa Cruz Area. You can read about my spiritual adventure at a Buddhist retreat center in Part One.

Sacred Geometry has been a life-long passion of mine. My interest for what I call the Divine Design was ignited around age 10 when my aunt Roberte, a scientific researcher for the French government, created a set of custom slides for me to observe with my new microscope. The world I discovered under the enlarging lens fascinated me and I spent hours watching micro-organisms move around. The variety of shapes those amoeba, paramecia, bacteria and plant cells embodied opened up my mind to the inner workings of Life, while looking at the small intricacies of the natural world offered me a deep understanding of the inter-connectedness of all living beings.

The awareness of the Sacred Architecture of nature allows us to perceive the spiritual dimension of our physical reality. When one dives deeper into the subject and learns that there are mathematical formulas that underly all of Creation, a sense of awe and wonder takes over. In my case, this translated into an exploration that, beyond seeking to merely satisfy my curiosity, nourished my heart and provided an abundant source of creative inspiration. Sacred Geometry is truly the foundation for the visual language of all the art I generate and the reason behind my love of patterns.

Every time I find myself immersed in the natural world, I am once again the innocent child of my youth, mesmerized by the magical manifestation of the cosmic blueprint. Using the photo lens of my iPhone as a portal into the microcosmic dimension, I enter a realm where I seem to access answers to my existential ponderings, and where the beauty of the mineral and animal worlds emanates an energy that is evidence of a Divine Order. A space beyond time that I never tire of visiting, always discovering, out there, new aspects of my inner being.

A Brief Overview Of Some Sacred Geometry Shapes

Spheres and Explosions

To the Ancient Greeks, the circle and the sphere were perfect symbols of the Divine, their never ending loop representing Oneness. These shapes radiate from a center point and are very efficient as they present the least surface area for the most volume, while uniformly distributing energy. In an explosive pattern, the radiating lines provide the shortest possible flow path away from the core. A soap bubble, the petals of a flower, the tentacles of a sea anemone, stars, the cross section of a kiwi fruit, you can now observe them with new eyes.

Branching and Network

These patterns often form where fluid flows from a central point to cover a large area, or vice-versa, while moving along the shortest possible distance: trees and branches, stems and leaves and veins, river systems flowing from rain drops to streams ending in oceans, blood flow in and arteries… Distributing liquids and energy through matter or over the surface of the earth, to deliver them where needed, without deperdition in the process, this is natural intelligence at its finest.

Flowers and Spirals

Some flowers grow in the pattern of a spiral. This can be seen in the design of a blossom or the coiling of several blossoms along a common stem. A spider’s web, an agave plant, roses, the shell of a snail or the helix of a nautilus. These all reflect the process of organic growth through repetition. Spirals are also commonly observed in tendrils, horns, pineapples or the heart of a sunflower. This arrangement is nature’s way of filling space most efficiently. The magick becomes obvious when you learn that this natural pattern can always be reduced to a series of numbers called the Fibonacci Series (named after Leonardo Bonacci, "the most talented Western mathematician of the Middle Ages"). In this sequence, each number is equal to the sum of the preceding two numbers: 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, 233, etc.

The Animal Kingdom

The patterns on the fur of a fawn, the bark of a tree, a mosquito hitching a ride on the back of a banana slug, everything alive is connected to everything else. It is all made up of an invisible energy and the fractals that compose the physical world- a system that can elicit deep admiration for its perfect mastery. All manmade creations that demonstrate harmony of form and beauty of proportions are built according to natural principles of geometry, such as the Golden Section, which can be detected in the architecture of holy buildings like cathedrals.

Flow of Energy - Decay, Shadow, Reflection

You couldn’t pull a thread of the tapestry of Life without unraveling the whole divine masterpiece. The hermetic principle of As Above So Below, when applied to the observation of natural occurrences, validates this idea. The infinitesimal world is a refection the interplay of universes. The cycles of Life and Death never cease their momentum as decay constantly transforms all living matter from one state of being into the other. Noticing Light and Shadow in nature brings one back to the self and the way our own darkness is revealed by the illumination of consciousness. Stillness of the mind allows us to pay attention to what truly is, and become able to discern material illusion from reality of spirit. Nature is a generous mirror for self-enquiry, and a continual source of wisdom.

Magnetic Field and Aura

All that is alive emanates a field of energy that is another form of expression of the Divine Design. The human body generates, and is surrounded by, an aura of light that can be “read” to evaluate the quality of the life force flowing through the person. The inside of an apple or a pumpkin cut in half reveals the pattern of a torus, which is the shape of the human magnetic field.

The human heart has its own version of such a force field, with the power to attract others who radiate the same frequency. Spending time in the presence of majestic beings such as redwoods helps us attune to the peace of our own heart. Energy always travels from high to low, a principle called entrainment. While in the company of high vibrational living beings, we are positively affected by their magnetic field.

Seeking to purify our own energy by forest bathing, diving into ocean waves, sitting in quiet meditation and feeding our body pure food and water- all these choices have wonderful effect on our health. And they also support us in clearing the channel of communication between our spiritual and physical selves, allowing us to receive clear guidance, elevate our light quotient and literally en-light-en us.

Sacred Geometry is not only evident in the physical world, but also in music and its harmonic scales and octaves. To the curious explorer of Creation, magical revelations are ongoing, as the vibrations of the Original Sound reverberate across universes, rippling out from heart to heart, infinitely. A true delight of never ending inspiration for the creative seeker, as Leonardo Da Vinci so prolifically demonstrated!

I hope this exposé, although non extensive, has opened you up to the magick that lies just below our mundane level of attention. If you enjoyed the subject of Sacred Geometry, take a look at this slide show. Created from photos taken during a workshop I taught about printing patterns on textiles using found objects, it showcases a brief presentation on Sacred Geometry. I also discussed here the triangle shape and its power to help us make conscious choices. And make sure to read Part One of this article and visit the beautiful land that inspired this writing!

A Solstice Journey Into My Heart

A few days ago, I came home from my first solo trip this year. Although I had been planning this adventure since last summer, I had to wait for the go signal from my Heart to actually take off. Divine Timing works in mysterious ways, and I’ve learned to surrender to its magick and no longer force things to happen according to my will… Cultivating patience is a strength I greatly value, and the reward of finally getting to do whatever I have been dreaming of is quite exhilarating when the green light pops on!

The destination of this voyage was the California coastal town south of Santa Cruz, located south of the Bay Area, and more precisely, a Buddhist retreat center called Land of Medicine Buddha, “a center for healing and developing a good heart”. This article is Part One of my story, where I’ll recount my experience at this beautiful spiritual place. Part Two will focus on the natural Sacred Geometry I discovered while staying there.

It is the redwoods that called me to Land of Medicine Buddha. I consider trees to be kindred spirits, and feel a particular affinity for the coastal redwoods - the idea of spending time on 108 acres of private sanctuary, in the company of these most blessed beings, delighted my Heart.

This was my first time visiting a Buddhist center, and I was really looking forward to not only being immersed in nature, but also being able to connect deeper with the Buddha Essence and spend time in the sanctity of my Heart. These times that we currently live in are quite challenging, but they can also inspire us to actively disconnect from the illusions of 3-D reality and take a deep dive into our own truth. This is something I was longing for, and although I have a daily practice of connecting with my Heart and listening to my inner guidance, I was feeling called to access a higher level of self-awareness. That quality sometimes eluded me in my regular life, where I’m surrounded by electronics, others’ opinions, and many distractions, even the fun ones.

Stepping out of my car and stretching my legs after the five-hour drive from Santa Barbara, I was greeted by these stunning mango calla lilies. Right away, I was able to take a deeper breath, become present, and connect with the nature spirits of the land. A wonderful welcoming committee!

Situated at the entrance, this massive prayer wheel immediately caught my attention. I felt like I was transported to Tibet, not only by the colorful visual symbolism but also the energy that emanated from this sacred tool designed to spread spiritual blessings and well-being. It is a tradition in Tibetan Buddhism to spin such a wheel (or a much smaller portable version) in order to share goodness and purify one’s karma. This large prayer wheel carries the mantra of compassion, as well as other mantras for long life, clearing obstacles, purifying negativities, and developing wisdom.

Upon arriving at the center, I retrieved an envelope containing the key to my bathroom and a map with directions. I had made my reservation for a mid-week stay, and it turned out I was the only guest at that time! A perfect gift for my intention to be in solitude and silence.

As I drove up the winding road leading to my campsite near the top of the hill, I was happy to notice the prayer flags strung from tree to tree, guiding me to the spot that was to be my home for the next few days. While hiking around the property, I would discover such displays again and again along the trails. These colorful pieces of cloth are used to carry prayers and mantras through the wind, and in Tibet, they are hung everywhere outdoors to promote compassion, peace, strength, and wisdom.

My campsite, one of only two on this sacred land, was just a few feet away from The Wish Fulfilling Temple. This temple, or chörten in Tibetan language, contains the remains of deceased people placed in special reliquaries.

The walls of the temple are painted with brightly colored traditional Tibetan artwork, with intricate detailing and murals representing Buddha’s life story.

That first evening, I set up camp on my assigned platform in the middle of four redwoods, and I felt that they were watching over me. Everything was quiet, and I settled into a simpler manner of living for a few days. No work, no obligations of any kind, no need to talk beyond the necessary. Space around me and inside of me, to just be.

This was my view for long periods of time every day. I would lay on my back on my yoga mat after my daily practice, and meditate with my eyes open. In the peaceful presence of my natural companions, I would get absorbed in the flowing of clouds, the swaying of branches in the breeze, and the singing of birds. Being with the redwoods helped me deeply relax, sleeping on the ground next to them allowed me to really connect my Heart to the heart of the earth. Every day, I felt more detached from the outside world and more in tune with my inner self.

One of the many statues of Buddha dotting the land and lining the trails and pathways. This one guarded my tent site and greeted me with every sunrise.

The ringing of this huge bell resonates for long minutes after being struck by the swinging log - its purpose is to ward off evil spirits while sharing the mantras engraved on its surface. Visitors are invited to ring the bell, and then circumambulate it in the direction of the marked arrows.

Next to the bell was this golden statue of Ksitigarbha, a bodhisattva whose name may be translated as "Earth Treasury", "Earth Store", "Earth Matrix", or "Earth Womb". A bodhisattva is someone who has generated bodhicitta, a spontaneous wish and compassionate mind to attain the state of Buddhahood, for the benefit of all sentient beings.

On my first morning at Land of Medicine Buddha, I attended a Cittamani Tara Puja held in the Gompa, the meditation hall. It was led by residing monk Venerable Samten, alongside nun Venerable Somo. This ceremony is held on Wednesdays in honor of his Holiness the Dalai Lama, as it is his astrological “soul day”. The puja lasted two hours, and I really enjoyed bathing in the litany of holy mantras incomprehensible to my mind but perfectly understood by my Heart.

The Mani Prayer Wheel you see in the background is packed with 64 billion “Om Mani Padme Hum”mantras, microfilmed from an original script written by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. This is one of the most powerful prayer wheels on earth. I spun it every day, and hopefully received some of its blessings. :)

I had brought books and art supplies on my trip, but didn’t reach for any of them during my retreat. I spent much time just sitting with the trees, breathing peacefully and feeling whatever emotions were passing through, or observing my thoughts as they arose. The dining room had a wall covered with an extensive collection of books on Buddhism, and I was attracted to this tome by Thích Nhất Hạnh, a Vietnamese Buddhist monk, and a prolific author (he’s published over 130 books!), poet and teacher, known as the “father of mindfulness”. I read a few pages of it in the evenings, before drifting to sleep, and received guidance that helped me shift some personal energies.

I went on long walking meditations, never encountering another soul in human form for hours at a time. However, I didn’t feel alone, as I knew myself to be surrounded by tree spirits, Devas, and many creatures hidden in the bushes, sitting on the branches, or flying in the breeze.

I ended most days with a refreshing swim in the spring water pool. While floating and soaking in the sun’s warmth, I could smell the alluring scent of honeysuckle wafting from nearby blossoms, as I watched hummingbirds darting from the plum trees to succulent flowers in the nearby garden.

I have informally studied Buddhism for decades, even minoring in Eastern Religions in college. I was first attracted to Tibet and its spiritual traditions through reading the (so-called fiction) books by Tuesday Lobsang Rampa when I was a teenager. The small French Caribbean island I grew up on had a single metaphysical bookstore that I visited regularly, and it was there that I discovered his whole series of books that “taught” me about natural laws, psychic powers, and life in Lhasa. I was literally remembering a history, a way of life and an energy that felt very intimate. I do feel I have lived in Tibet in previous lives, and that is incidentally what inspired me to give my son the unofficial middle name Himalaya when he was born, hoping it would invite him to climb the summit of his highest inner mountain.

On my last night sleeping on the ground, I had a personal revelation that left me feeling much lighter and renewed my sense of purpose in life. This was a spiritual gift I did not anticipate, but that greatly blessed my journey. Since then, a couple of weeks have passed, and the clarity that was bestowed upon me that night has further expanded, allowing me to connect dots and gain perspective about my current phase of human evolution. Layers of mental fog are dissolving and I am “seeing” the outline of something new emerging from the unknown… I am mindful not to settle for limiting words to assign meaning to an experience that has the quality of multidimensionality. I am not in a hurry to “know” or take action, beyond following inner guidance in the moment. I feel that spending time in quiet self-inquiry, in a sacred space dedicated to such pursuits, along with my intention for deepened Heart connection and the grounding of the Earth energy, supported my reaching of this epiphany (the object of which I am intentionally keeping private).

When I came out of my tent on my last morning on the Land, I looked in the direction of the temple and noticed a couple of animal friends reaching for the lowest branches of a plum tree, chewing on fresh leaves. I quietly stepped towards them, and spent some enjoyable moments in the company of a mama deer and her baby. I breathed quietly and did my best to be an unobtrusive element of the sacred Heart space we all share.

In deep gratitude for all my allies, seen and unseen.

If you enjoyed this article, sign up to receive fresh updates via email. Interested more travel adventures? I wrote an ebook about my solo car camping experience in Joshua Tree, you can buy it here. And remember to check out Part Two of this article where I’m taking you into de mystery of the microcosm of Sacred Geometry!

What Do I Need, Now?

This  morning I received, during my meditation, the guidance to ask my Heart about the current status of my personal needs. 

It is easy to lose sight of what's essential for ourselves and get carried away in the current of our to-do list, others's expectations and  everyday life demands. And then, before we know it, we are living a life that doesn't have much in common with our Heart's Desire. As we unconsciously disconnect from what is truly important for our wellbeing, we are no longer living our Heart Royality, no longer on track with our purpose. 

I created years ago a tool to help me check in and realign with my Heart Star, the guiding energy of my life. This tool is a simple list of 12 items grouped in four main areas that represent our daily and Big Picture lives. I have used this list in many ways: to assess where I  spend my time/energy/ressources, to map out a vision at the beginning of the year or, as I did today, to evaluate my current personal needs.

A need is something that is necessary to us, the absence of which representing a significant lack. When it comes to our own needs, it is crucial that we be aware of what they are, how they might have change. We are dynamic beings, ever evolving and transforming, with requirements for every aspect of our wellbeing that also reshape over time. The more we pay attention to the energetics of our life experience, the less we are subject to being suddenly woken up by circumstances, being made conscious of something that requires our attention, a process that can be painful. 

When our needs are not acknowledged, when we do not spend time looking at our lives and our desires, those unexpressed energies sometimes have no choice but to surface through our shadow. Which means that we will seek to satisfy them in ways that might be destructive, causing sabotage, tensions or disruption in our relationships. People close to us might become scapegoats and act out those aspects of ourselves we are denying. There is no escaping energy, it will find a way to get our attention.

Best to be proactive, to invite in all aspects of ourselves to the table and have an open conversation.  By regularly tuning in and taking an inventory of our present state of being, we have the option to discover new information about ourselves, course-correct our choices and keep steering our life in the direction of of our highest good. 

And so as I sat my backyard bathing in the rising sun this morning, I got my markers out and created this new version of my helpful list, titling it What I Need, Now. My Heart rejoiced at the opportunity to be heard and promptly shared insights, some new, others recurring themes. I took notes, connected dots and noticed emerging patterns. I found out that I am currently being guided to connect with others, make new friends, widen my horizons. I also have a need to open up containers of time to explore my creative expression more freely, independent of ongoing projects. The need to travel and discover new natural vistas became very clear, as well as some more personal gentle demands from my soul.

As a result of this introspective exercise, I feel clearer, able to define and take actions steps that will satisfy the personal needs that were revealed too me today. This is something I plan on doing again soon, probably scheduling it in my planner for every season. I need to know my needs so I can decide how I will meet them and who I can ask for help in doing so. This is an essential element of the Heart Royality Lifestyle, where I give my Heart the wheel and enjoy the ride.

If you are interested in engaging your Heart into a similar process, you can create assist similar to mine. You will be able to refer to it every time you want to look at the Big Picture of your life to tune in, fine tune your relationship with yourself and upgrade to a higher frequency of Heart Royality. You will notice on the image that there is an arrow drawn, at the end of my list: it a focus point to sum up the guidance you received and condense the message into a few words, easy to remember, a personal mantra of sort.

Enjoy your clarifying process!

Equinox, Crystals and Heart Royality

A couple of days ago I was guided to clean up the crystal beings who live in my garden, in preparation for the upcoming Autumn Equinox (September 22), a pivotal astrological day to connect heart-to-heart with the Earth. As I was washing the quartz crystal in the photo, I noticed for the first time the rainbow that emanates from its center. I decide to bring it inside and keep it on my night stand. That evening it asked to be applied to my third eye. I have done so a few times since and have been having amazing experiences of clarity and full spectrum visioning!

The two huge rose quartz crystals in the background came into my life a decade ago in a most synchronistic way. They had been part of a larger rock that for years had traveled to many Native American ceremonies and was charged up with powerful heart healing energy. I was told that the crystal had recently asked to be broken up and shared. I received these two big chunks as well as many smaller ones that I gifted to my friends and clients. 

These pink beings have been instrumental in helping me develop a wonderfully strong relationship with my own heart. This connection has led over the years to the establishing of a through-line of communication along which inspired information is delivered from my Soul to my Head, via my Heart. This trusted exchange is now an everyday practice in my life and the foundation for all my choices- this is how I know the way to go in my daily affairs, the path to travel that is aligned with my personal Highest Good.

This way of living is what I now call my Heart Royality. It is the clear recognition that my Heart is the sovereign leader of my life and that, in the listening to its step-by-step guidance, the manifested reality that I experience unfolds.

Heart Royalty + Reality = Heart Royality ♥️👑