Feature: Aileen Gural and SoulCollage™

Anjie Cho September 27, 2013

Aileen Gural introduced me to SoulCollage™ through her Collage Your Soul workshops. Collage Your Soul offers workshops using the SoulCollage™ method to explore your inner soul. SoulCollage™ is accessible to whoever has a passion for images and color and is interested in exploring their creative consciousness.

The images I’ve shared in this article are my cards created in Aileen’s Collage Your Soul workshops.

AC: What is SoulCollage™ ?

AG: SoulCollage™ is a creative process that’s designed to be a tool to access different aspects of your personality. It gives life to and integrates different parts of your self through the collage. Using the “I am the one” process you learn what your unconscious is trying to say and wants to express. It’s a tool to just be creative. It’s a tool to access what’s going on inside you. It’s a tool that you can use to focus and to gain access to yourself as a focal point through card reading. And it’s also a community-building tool that brings people together, brings women in to circle to share experience and being creative together.

Can you talk about the “I am the one” process?

The “I am the one” process is a way of understanding the card [that you create through the SoulCollage process] and also understanding yourself. You start by speaking from the point of view as yourself, “I am the one who…” You put yourself into the images on the card. It could be a face or any part of the card or all of the different parts of the card. It’s a way to start getting in to the card, freely speaking but keeping it close to your self and not just talking literally about images. It’s really getting us to own our own voice and our connections to what we see. It just keeps us focused on what our voice is and what’s going on inside of us.

*i am the one who is holding the up the world…*

So one could talk about a picture and then it becomes a metaphor for what it means for you, right?

Yes. So everyone could see a different thing in the picture. People have different reactions to images and it’s a way to have our voice and access what’s going on, what we’re feeling inside, what we want to bring out of ourselves. It’s really a very non-confrontational process. It’s gentle and safe so most people find it non-threatening to just do that.

The first time I attended your Collage Your Soul workshop, I didn’t know that we were going to speak about the images. It was fascinating and revealing when I looked at my pictures and saw how I could relate to them and how they spoke to me.

I think we constantly want and need a voice to express ourselves. There’s so much going on outside, that our feelings gets eclipsed by all the stimulation and all the interesting things we have to do in life. So it’s really interesting to take time and see the real wisdom inside of us. In SoulCollage you choose images that somehow relate to you. You don’t realize it at first but it can be something that’s going on with you that’s trying to express or come through.

*i am the one who is drifting alone, over an expansive unknown…*

Can you talk a little bit about the formal process? Do you need to be artistic to SoulCollage?

Therapist Seena Frost, who was into in Jungian psychology, developed the process. No, you don’t need to be artistic. The great thing is anyone can do SoulCollage because it requires cutting or tearing images and pasting them down on a board (which forms the structure). In SoulCollage the structure is a specific size, which helps to contain everything as well as creating a uniform and equal size. There are no words. Words come from your own dialogue.

So, how were you introduced to SoulCollage™?

A friend of mine invited me to a class. I didn’t know what it was, but for some reason I went and SoulCollage™ really clicked for me. It was an amalgamation of all my studies. I’ve studied a lot of different kinds of spiritual paths and mysticism. I’ve read tarot cards for years and I’m an artist. Everything came together in this amazing process that was really easy, too. In an hour or two, you could do something creative and it feels really good to make something. So it was a serendipitous moment. I really liked it and I wanted to do more of it so I attended workshops in Guatemala and received trainings to teach it.

*i am the one who grows the energy of nature…*

And how has SoulCollage™ helped you in your life?

It has brought me closer to myself. I used to use other tools or read tarot cards, and when I started being able to read my own SoulCollage™ cards, it was a lot more powerful because they were part of me as opposed to broader archetypal things that someone else has created. It feels really personal because I’m reading what has come out of me. It’s really personal and expressive.

by Anjie Cho

Contact Aileen for upcoming Collage Your Soul workshops:

Leave the busy world behind and shift into a world of images, symbols and intuition. SoulCollage™ is an easy non-threatening process for creating your own personal deck of cards that depict different facets of your personality. During this class you will learn the elements of SoulCollage™ and the process of making cards intuitively by collecting magazine images and collaging them onto 5x8 mat boards. Drawing from the archetypal work of Joseph Campbell and Jungian dream analysis we begin to learn the soul’s language through dialoguing and journaling with what we create. The class will be structured to include meditation, circle sharing, collaging, partner work, and card readings to answer solution centered questions. You will leave with the beginnings or additions to a magnificent deck of uniquely personal cards and an inspiring practice that you can continue on your own. SoulCollage™ is a accessible to whoever has a passion for images and color and is interested in exploring their creative consciousness. A great way to slow down and deepen your relationship with yourself and other women.

No artistic experience necessary. Images and supplies will be provided. First session free to newcomers!

40 Worth Street suite 819, New York City - Fee Includes all materials SPACE IS LIMITED to 8 participants Register in advance with: aileengural@gmail.com

Aileen Gural is an artist and mother of two teenaged children, living in New York City. After exploring many artistic mediums, she completed the Jewelry Design Program from FIT in 2004 and have been working with metal and stones ever since. Along the way some of the other studies that have inspired and guided Aileen has been meditation, Qabalah, Feng-Shui, Shamanic work, Core Energetics, Yantra painting, Martial Arts, and Diamond Heart work. Its is now with great pleasure and passion that she is able to incorporate and share her experiences -through the process of SoulCollage™.

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Yantras as Feng Shui Adjustments

Anjie Cho June 9, 2013

Almost 9 years ago, I started my spiritual journey. At that time I started taking yoga and meditation classes. During one of those classes, I was introduced to the yantra. Since then, it's been the most personal and meaningful form of meditation practice for me.

On the right is the first yantra I encountered. This yantra is called the the Chinnamasta yantra. Chinnamasta is a Hindu goddess who chopped off her head. I later found out it was quite appropriate to be drawn to this particular yantra, not because I wanted to chop off my head, but because this form of meditation practice truly resonated with me. The act of cutting off one’s head actually represents cutting off your five senses so as to attune your intuition (your sixth sense) and reaching enlightenment.

While creating a yantra, I can truly sit still and concentrate. Everything falls away and time disappears.

So, what is a yantra?

Yantra is a Sanskrit word, yam “means supporting or holding the essence of an object or concept…[and tra means] liberation from bondage.”[1] Yantra is a tool for centering and meditation. “As a tool, yantra meditation is used to withdraw consciousness from the outer world, so as to help the student go beyond the normal framework of mind.”[2]

A yantra is a physical manifestation of a mantra from Vedic tradition. They are a type of prescribed mandala because the colors, shapes, and proportions have been pre-determined. Each yantra always consists of the same colors, even closely matching the tone and shade of each color is significant. For Instance, just above is the Tara yantra. Tara yantras always look the same. The design around the yantra is my own, but the actual yantra requires no artistic decision-making.In the process of creating a yantra, you start at the center, and then expand to draw a circle. Then you draw clockwise, from the outside in, until you reach the center again. You chant the associated mantra as you circumbulate the yantra. The movement and chanting is a clockwise tightening to build a powerful talisman.

You can see that yantras use a balance of shapes and colors, so they form balanced and harmonious chi. They have all have the bhupur, the circle, and the shapes and colors of at least a couple different elements. Also, as I just explained, when a yantra is created it is imbued with the intention and energy of the mantra, and the deity and energy that has been prescribed to it. The following are three examples.

G A N E S H A    Y A N T R A — G A N E S H A Y A N T R A

My yantra teachers have taught me to always start with Ganesha, the remover of obstacles. Ganesha is the god that represents the beginning of things. The associated mantra is:

Om gang ganapataye namaha

The colors and shapes represent the wood production cycle. We start with the green wood, then red fire, and then the center with the yellow earth. Because Ganesha is ideal when starting new things, I relate this yantra to the Zhen/New beginnings gua (area of the Bagua, the Feng Shui Map), and the element of wood.

Ganesha also had his head cut off by his father Shiva, while protecting his mother Parvati. Similar to Chinnamasta, Ganesha became enlightened when his head was cut off, and he was able to see that he was the same as his mother and father. Therefore resolving family issues. Which again brings us back to Zhen.

As a feng shui adjustment, the Ganesha yantra may be placed in the Zhen area of your home, office or bedroom for assistance in starting new endeavors or family issues.

The Venus yantra was the first yantra that I painted. The associated mantra is:

Om Shum Shukraya Namah

In Hindu, the planet Venus is feminine, having to do with relationships, love and higher love. Venus is considered a beneficent planet and associated with the reproductive organs. The cascading squares looks like they’re sinking, falling, it’s very womb-like. The pale yin colors, delicate pink lotus petals and square earth shapes suggest the Kun/Relationships gua and the element of earth. The pale blue of wood and the gold and silver colors of metal offer the two elements that deplete earth. So this yantra may harmonize an excess of earth.

As a feng shui adjustment, the Venus yantra may be placed in the your bedroom, since that’s the room that’s closest to you, to assist with relationships as well as self-love and self-nourishment.

The Mars yantra depicts deep reds and pinks, with many triangles. The associated mantra is:

Om Bhaum Bhaumaye Namah Om

Mars is a planet that is associated with masculinity, anger and war. It’s also a planet related to instability such as of fire. The reds and triangles are also related to fire energy and the Li/Recognition gua of the bagua. The central upward pointed triangle represents growth, as do the more dominant red interior triangles. This suggests that an excess of fire may be transformed into a more positive and productive direction.

As a Feng Shui adjustment, the Mars yantra may be place in the Li area of your home, bedroom or office for assistance with passion. This yantra may adjust lack of passion and fame by adding fire. But it can also balance excessive fire, because the upward pointing triangle suggests growth in a positive direction

[1] http://www.sanatansociety.org/yoga_and_meditation/yantra_meditation.htm
[2] http://www.sanatansociety.org/yoga_and_meditation/yantra_meditation.htm

note: the images I've shared here are all yantras that I've made myself.

by Anjie Cho

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Feature: Mavis Gewant and Yantras

Anjie Cho June 3, 2013

Based in High Falls, NY, Mavis Gewant is celebrated as a sacred artist, mother, educator and doula. Mavis studied the ancient techniques of yantra and silk deity painting with the late Tantric Master Shri Harish Johari, serving as his personal assistant for over twenty years. Mavis is one of the few persons in the U.S. with over two decades training in this Sacred Art who was requested to teach this knowledge by her teacher.

Having a deep commitment to supporting women during the most sacred time of their lives, becoming a mother, Mavis is a childbirth educator and doula and founder of Gentle Care Doula Service. Believing that pregnancy, birth and motherhood are a holy experience, she helps women to connect to their divine energy through sacred art and knowledge.

I had the honor of meeting Mavis during a yantra workshop a few years ago. Yantra practice is my absolute favorite and most meaningful form of meditation. Recently I had the pleasure of speaking with Mavis about her work, specifically with yantras.

AC: How would you describe a yantra to someone who wasn’t previously familiar with them?

MG: A yantra is a geometric pattern of energy specific to deities and planets. It has been said that they are physical form of a deity, where mantra is the sound form. Yantras give a structure or pattern to energy. They are composed of geometric forms like squares and circles. Since all cultures have these kinds of shapes, they resonate in our DNA when we see them. Yantras are archetypal and universal.

“I think yantras are a personal prescription for healing. Whether with a deity or a planet, it is an energetic entity you are working with to heal.“

I understand yantras are prescribed, and that the proportions, colors, and symbols are important.

Yes, absolutely. Gold is connected to the sun and representative of knowledge. Silver is related to the moon and life-giving energy. Green is cool and about balance and knowledge. Red is hot, fire and magnetic and stimulating the adrenals. Orange is magnetic, cheering, and warm. Yellow is hot, positive magnetic, and stimulating nerves and knowledge. Blue is cold, anesthetic. Sky blue is calming to the nerves.

Goddess yantras typically have pink or red petals. Many of the colors have to do with the color of the associated deity such as with Ganesha yantra. For Ganesha, there's a light orange upward pointing triangle, which is related to his skin color. The colors correlation is more obvious with planet deities. The sun yantra colors are vibrant yellows and oranges.

What's the difference between a mandala and yantra?

Yantra is a form of mandala. Both are created within circles, and circles are about creation. When you start a yantra, you have first draw a circle. To make the square, you must again, first make a circle.

Is it better if you make your own yantra, can someone make one for you? Or can you use a printed yantra?

It's always best if you draw your own yantra. Then you have that connection with the art and the associated deity or planet. You have spent the time, and when you're away from it you can still invoke it within yourself. It's also good if someone makes it for you, if they had the intention of creating it for your use. When I make them I really focus on the people I'm making them for. It is also good to give yantras away and not always best to hold onto them. I did 40 Sri yantras, then went to India and released them into the Ganges River.

by Anjie Cho

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Mavis’ next workshop will take place June 22 at Sivananda in New York City. She teaches Sacred Painting Workshops worldwide, including a yearly retreat in Haridwar, India. It is her humble desire to help others through this transformational art form and she makes her painting a spiritual practice. Her artwork can be seen on her website:www.sacredmotherarts.com