HOMEPAGE : WORKSHOPS - Weddings - TESTIMONIALS - sPIRITUAL Support - Rituals - Meditation - Coaching - COELHO'S ART  360 Mirrors of Wholeness: Preface - Contents - M64-75 - M92 - M177-183 - M184 - M185 - M318 - M355     MeditatioN & SILENCE Breathing and Witnessing Awareness     "Meditation is breathing with awareness.  While 'Breathing' is generally considered to be life,  'Awareness' is proverbially understood as healing and growing.   Integral healing and growth take DELIGHT in the experience of wholeness  in every sensation, perception, thought, emotion and vibration of light.   LIGHT is perceived with the eyes of the body, mind, heart and soul respectively as color, truth, compassion and enlightenment. Integral Art is the expression  of Light and Delight." [Ariosto Coelho's Reflection on Nov. 6, 2014]     "If you want a mirror, look at this moment respectfully."  [Integral Art. Coelho. 2010.]             RADIANCE   [Coelho. 2015. Oil on canvas 20" x 20"]       "MEDITATION IS AS EASY AS WORRYING. In worrying one focuses on 'ego': pain, isolation, loss, fear, ... [a drop]  In meditation one surrenders 'ego' with faith, hope, love, ... [the ocean]   and learns to embrace  WITNESSING AWARENESS." [Ariosto's reflection on Jan. 14, 2009]       Mirror 332: Praying without words [Silence]   The beginning and end of all prayer is silence. It is the peaceful connection of the soul with God. Today, begin by paying attention to your breath. Mindfully, notice the silent pauses as you breathe in and out.   Anthony de Mello reminds us, "when you were in the womb you were silent. Then you were born and began to talk, talk, talk till the day you are laid in the tomb. Then you will once again be silent. Capture that silence which was there in the womb and will be there in the tomb and even now underlies this interval of noise called life. That silence is your deepest essence."Anthony de Mello in One Minute Nonsense (1992)   As you capture this essence and travel through the Four Circles of Silence may you experience the ABCD of Enlightened Compassion [James O'Connor in Silent Fire (2002) and Coelho in Mandalas (1994)]:   Awakening The First Circle of Silence [Conversion] “No Words” consists in withdrawal of the senses by directing one’s attention inward so as to hear the inner voice more clearly. According to a spiritual expression “I am not in the world; the world is in me.” By going within, one can access the impulses of sound, sensation, touch, sight, taste and scent and directly experience the knowledge of the world of forms and phenomena as a projection of one's awareness.   Balancing The Second Circle of Silence [Purification] “No Thought” is the mastery of attention and intention. According to some spiritual masters our intentions have infinite organizing power. One way to focus the mind on one point or image is by gently pushing away superfluous thoughts, intentions and desires. By concentrating on some object such as a candle flame, a flower or a mantra prayer one can learn to surrender one's goals at the service of the universal drama, cosmic dance or divine plan.   Centering The Third Circle of Silence [Illumination] “No Self” is the development of witnessing awareness or reflexive reflection. According to many spiritual masters, this experience consists in knowing that “you are in this world but not of this world.” It is being in touch with one's unchanging soul which experiences the heightened awareness and oneness with the universe through uninterrupted meditation.   Delight in The Fourth Circle of Silence [Divine Union] “Embracing All” is the experience of pure bliss or clear light. It is a state beyond space and time, beyond memories of the past and dreams for the future. It is the experience of innocence: infinity, intimacy, integrity and impermanence in harmony. It is finding perfection in imperfection. It is enlightened compassion at the service of humanity while on Earth.   May our silence be comfortable. In that silence, may we experience the height of intimacy, the depth of communication and the powerful presence of God’s Spirit of Love. May infinite giving and forgiving flow as a caring and daring expression of truthful and non-violent living. May we take delight in the luminous urge within ourselves to fulfill our role in the cosmic drama with supreme dedication to the Divine Plan gracefully with gratitude. [Coelho in Pray for me. 2016]         FRAGRANCE OF ETERNITY [Coelho. 2009. Mixed media on canvas 36" x 36"]   "A Mandala of Happiness: This meditation flows from the center of the nine squares and focuses on childlike trust [Psalm 131]. It represents the nurturing breast of God. I also call this painting Santosha or Contentment -the absence of addiction to power, sensation and security, the second practice for inner discipline according to Patanjali’s Eightfold Path to Yoga. Beyond these two interfaith perspectives happiness consists in experiencing and sharing the fragrance of this moment. The symbols and colors captured in the painting are significant. The 16 sunflower petals move towards the past [anticlockwise], whereas the 24 lavender colored petals like the hours of a single day move forward [clockwise]. From the eightfold red center of the present emerges the golden mirror of contentment which has four diamond transitions or spiritual directions: awakening, balancing and centering delight." [Integral Art. Coelho. 2010.]      BEYOND MEDITATION - Integral Being [A POEM - Ariosto's reflection on 11/11/2011]   Integral knowing, seeing, accomplishing BEYOND MEDITATION - Integral Being Mystic, Prophet, Wise, Free [Jivanmukta] Enlightened, Anointed or Resurrected One Living Lights of Consciousness  Dancing the Spirit of the Universe   Choiceless and conscious awareness  Along the path of sensation and perception Awakening knowledge undying [jnana marga]  For it is in dying that we are born As Bright Sparks of Recognition  Freely with Divine Wisdom   Effortless and universal compassion  Along the path of emotion and intention Balancing devotion unending [bhakti marga]  For it is in pardoning that we are pardoned In the Fiery Flames of Transformation  Simply with Holy Surrender   Selfless and soulful right action  Along the  path of creation and re-creation Centering on expression [karma marga] For it is in giving that we receive Luminous Laughter and Silence  Playfully with Amusing Wonder   Wholeness, Emptiness, Oneness  Communion  of body, mind, heart and soul Delight in integral union [purna yoga]  For this is fragrant and that is fragrant Perfection in Imperfection  Gratefully with Guiltless Innocence   Here-and-now with impermanence  Infinity, intimacy and integrity in-harmony Breathing the rhythms of bliss [ananda] I am all -what is, what was, what will be- A delight-soul of  the universe  Peacefully Beyond the Dance       INTEGRAL FLAMES [Coelho. 2011. oil on canvas 24" x 24"] This painting is dedicated to all men and women of wisdom especially Lao Tzu  who  wrote: "An integral being knows, sees or accomplishes without going, looking or doing." Moima Ashram & St. Joseph's Workshop. San Bruno, CA           SERVICES: Personalized Weddings - Interfaith Rituals - Sacraments for Catholics - Spiritual Counseling - Psychotherapy & Coaching EXHIBITIONS: Integral Art & Meditation - Drawings - Watercolors - Oil Paintings - Recent Art - Integral Artist - San Bruno Painters EXPRESSIONS: Selected Writings - Short Stories - Interfaith Poems - Pastoral Homilies - Yoga - Mandalas - Integral Being & Innocence CONTACT Ariosto Coelho : The Integral Circle - The Learning Circle - The Empty Circle - The Playful Circle - Workshops & Retreats DON BOSCO's Youthful Salesians since 1862: in India since 1906 - in Lonavla, Maharashtra since 1962 - in Sulcorna, Goa since 1962 HOMEPAGE - Feedback - News : Glow - Spiritual Practices -  - Spiritual Support @ St. John's Church & From 1950 to 2015   © Spiritual Direction 1998-2017 [updated 12/30/16] where the soul glows and grows where graceful, grateful, peaceful and playful laughter ♥ silence! 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