was introduced
to a deeper understanding of Christian Meditation and
Salesian Education by Fr. Egidio Sola, SDB, and Fr. Joseph Casti, SDB, in 1967. Many Salesians, Jesuits
and others especially Swami Bede Griffiths, OSB, Fr. Paul Puthenagady,
SDB, Fr. Tony D'Souza, SDB, Fr. Tony D'Mello, SJ, and Fr. Herbert Alphonso,
SJ, enabled him to move into other forms of meditation
and discernment of spirits.
In 1984, Ariosto studied The Well and the Cathedral by Ira Progoff and
began Entrance Meditations. In 1985, he participated in a ten day
Buddhist Vipashna retreat under Goenka's direction in Igatpuri, India.
He studied spirituality and mystical traditions in Aquem, Goa; Lonavla, Mumbai, Pune;
Yercaud,
Bangalore; Rome;
Lyons; Chicago and San Francisco.
Ariosto began to integrate art and meditation while at
the California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco where he
studied: Oriental Monochrome Brush Painting, Painting Dreams
in Watercolor, Drawing and Coloring the Light Within. His
doctoral research
(1993)
blends
Integral Art, Roman Catholic Tradition and Pūrņa
Yoga.
In 1997, Ariosto specialized in Clinical Art Therapy
and began experimenting with oils on canvas
in 2003.
In 2006, he decided to sit for zazen with the Crystal Springs Sangha at
Mercy Center in Burlingame, CA.
"Cent'ring ev'ry flame with a name or aim of fame or shame at
life's game." (
2007)
Ariosto's art has been acclaimed among the Salesians of Don Bosco in India. He
undertook many art projects for them from 1962 up to 1992. In 1973, he organized the "Salesian
Brothers' Exhibition" at St. Joseph's Industrial Institute in Kurla, Bombay.
In 1977, he contributed posters for the "Salesian Vocation Exhibition" in Madras. In 1986, Ariosto directed an exhibition on the occasion of the silver jubilee of the Don Bosco Agro-Educational Complex in Sulcorna, Goa,
which was inaugurated by Mrs. Singh in the presence of her husband Dr. Gopal
Singh -Governor of Goa, Fr. Aurelius Maschio, SDB, and other dignitaries [
picture
October 1986 ►].
His
doctoral research (1993)
focuses on Integral or Synthetic Art. His mandala
Moima ('Glory' in Konkani, the language of Goa in
India) is a polychromatic drawing with
Prismacolor
pencils on black paper and it provides an existential blend of East-West
perspectives on Philosophy and Religion.
Ariosto
also works with other media which include watercolor, oil paintings and mixed media. In 1997,
Ariosto specialized in Clinical Art Therapy
and continues to use these skills with his young clients as a member of the
South Central Youth Team of San Mateo County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services
[Mental Health] as well as
with adults as a Family Therapist and Spiritual Director. Since May 2003 he is
part of an Oil Painting Class that meets every Thursday at the Senior Center in
San Bruno, CA
[◄picture December 2007].
FOUR ORIENTAL MONOCHROME PAINTINGS WITH SUMI INK ON RICE
PAPER
1990 Bamboo
[20"x22"]
1990
Cherry Blossoms [20"x22"]
19906 Orchids[20"x22"]
1990 Rocks
[20"x22"]
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