STILL POINT

STILL POINT represents a state of homeostasis that is often referred to in the healing arts such as Yoga, Reiki, and Cranial Sacral Therapy. In essence, it describes a condition of spaciousness and timelessness that pulses between mortality and immortality. I see it as a place of surrender and acceptance of the things that are greater than one’s self. It is an elusive state of peace and knowingness that rests in the pause between our inhale and our exhale. 

In this series, I return to the vessel form as humankind’s signifier. Each piece is created using the potter’s wheel so as to contain the essence of earth’s rotation, plus the energy of balance.  At the leather hard stage they are carved and shaped.  Terra sigillata is used for the monochromatic, burnished surface. After firing precious handmade objects are added selectively—sometimes carved from porcelain, polymer clay, or fabricated metal. 

Each piece hopes to connect to a still point, while offering a healing meditation on quiet Intelligent simplicity. —MO

Still Point #1 "Angels Fly"

Still Point #2

Still Point #3

Still Point #4: "I built this house for you."

Still Point #5

Still Point #6

Still Point #7

Still Point #8

Still Point #9

Still Point #10: "Kiss me on the eye."

"INSPIRATION"— The Art of Breathing

by Michele Ogilvie, MFA CMT

EACH DAY we breathe about 20,000 times. Most of us take this action for granted; however, the quality of our breath is a very important component to our overall health and wellbeing.

The primary muscle responsible for moving breath is the diaphragm. The diaphragm is a domelike muscle that sits above the lungs. Although breathing is most often considered an involuntary action, this muscle and the power of our mind gives it the potential to function voluntarily. Through conscious breathing the diaphragm and lungs can grow strong and help support our path to healing.

Inhalation + Pause + Exhalation: In order to learn to work with the breath consciously and effectively it is important to see the breath as three parts: the inhalation (inspiration), the pause and the exhalation (expiration). A generous inhalation is supplying oxygen to our blood, providing energy to the brain, organs and muscles. Body cells not only need this for energy and growth, but also emotional and physical health. Without oxygen, the body's cells would die. The pause allows the oxygen to percolate and produce a sense of rhythm and calm. The exhalation releases carbon dioxide and toxic gases as waste. Practicing to make the duration of your inhales equal to your exhales (with a second or two pause in between) is a simple way to start becoming acquainted with voluntary breathing. Try counting it out until it begins to feel natural: Inhale: 1, 2, 3; pause: 1, 2; exhale: 1, 2, 3; repeat.

One’s breath can become shallow for many reasons. Stress, emotional trauma, and illness are some of the biggest obstacles. Most of our lives are terribly fast paced and overflowing with responsibility. At times it feels as though we are carrying the weight of the world on our shoulders and thus our body’s recoil, our shoulders round forward and our lungs and diaphragm cave in. In this posture and circumstance it is very difficult to establish a healthy breath cycle.

Meditation, Yoga, Massage and Bodywork are excellent ways to help reestablish the breath. These practices offer space to slow down and actually listen to what’s going on in our complex body/minds. Taking time out in your busy day to experience first hand the healing potential of relaxing into a rhythmic breath cycle is one of the most basic, yet important tools to managing stress you can give yourself. Remember ‘Inhalation’ means ‘Inspiration’ —so take time out to breathe into the potential of your heART!—©Michele Ogilvie

TREES—AXIS MUNDI

“WHEN WE ARE really awake to the life of our senses—when we are really watching with our animal eyes and listening with our animal ears—we discover that nothing in the world around us is directly experienced as a passive or inanimate object. Each thing, each entity meets our gaze with its own secrets and, if we lend it our attention, we are drawn into a dynamic interaction wherein we are taught and sometimes transformed by this other being.”
—David Abram, “Trust Your Senses”

Sometimes in the rush of our lives we forget to stop and take notice that every little thing (material or natural) pulses within a field of energy. This interconnected Source produces the essence that generates life. It also determines the unique qualities and characteristics of everything we touch plus everything that touches us. Throughout history this vital force has been referred to as subtle body, Zero Point Field, prana, qi (chi), primordial cosmic energy— Divine Intelligence. My tree series called Axis Mundi expresses and celebrates this inherent Intelligence as it moves through and around nature.

Axis Mundi means earth axis. It is a cross-cultural symbol that takes many forms, and appears in almost every region of the world. It symbolizes a bridge or connection between sky and earth or between the spiritual and the physical. The symbol is both feminine and masculine. It often takes the form of a natural object such as a mountain, or a tree. Human-made objects such as totems, towers, pillars and crosses are also often associated with Axis Mundi.

I recognize trees, as Axis Mundi. The trees I have chosen to paint are city trees. I pass by them every day. They are complex. They are grounded in the expression, anatomy and motion of ordinary people, dancers and yogis. Their roots are firmly planted, while their branches reach towards the ethereal sky. These trees are symbols that express the potential of our lives. They get tangled, bend, curve and sometimes even break; yet they are always resilient and continue to aspire towards their highest potential.

As we move towards the promise of a New Year, may the trees in and around your lives inspire a dialogue of hope, peace and transcendence. —Many Blessings, Michele

Within the tides of earth breathing—
blood-red river inhaling/exhaling...
ascending heart first wearing kaleidoscope eye caps—

My left pinkie toe pinched between narrow branches,
oh sometimes it can feel so cold-stone, silvery-blue.

"I will not fly away," I say it over and over again.
Grounded in choosing colors that remind me to believe
in soul secrets and trust. —mo


To view the complete Axis Mundi Tree Series please click here.

Click here to read an Article about Michele regarding this series