Just Breathe Painting

There is an ocean of peace and strength in your chest.  Deep breathes will set you free. " ~Markus Almond When I meditated on starting this painting, these words and images came to my mind:" fluid, flowing, connected, orange, yellow, blue, element of air, breathing, inhaling and exhaling, intake and out take, the transformation of carbon dioxide into fresh oxygen, give and take, exchange, fading colors. This mandala brings to light the universal energy of giving and taking.  This is an inclusive rule to everything before us.  In nature, there is a give and take aspect among the wild.  Animals hunting for survival, need to feed on other animals.  Although one life is taken, it provides life for another.  Plants take and absorb carbon dioxide and turn it back into fresh oxygen...for us to take and breath.  Stars in space are diminished as new stars are born.  The sun emits heat that is taken for us to flourish and survive. There is no judgement with this type of giving and taking.  It naturally occurs, and easily just continues.  There are no thoughts of being taken advantage of, it's just an un-ending cycle that carelessly continues and evolves.  As is with the breath. Breathing is one of those things that we do without thought for most of the day.  Like the rest of the examples, it carelessly continues and goes on even though we are not always paying attention to it.  Our own bodies take in fresh oxygen and give back carbon dioxide.  Plants take that carbon dioxide and give back oxygen. It just goes on and on.  There is a never-ending cycle around us that we barely even realize or pay attention to. In my years of teaching yoga and meditation, I can tell you that the breath takes a large part in this area of study.  In the early stages of learning to be mindful there is much focus on coming back to the breath, focusing on the breath.  Also different breathing techniques that help to awaken and to soothe.  Yet, as we are thinking about this breathe, I still think we are forgetting about the cycle that it is so much a part of.  We take our breathe knowing that it is filling our lungs, helping us to relax but I'm not sure we are looking at the bigger part of it. As we breath in and fill our lungs with air, we are taking from something that has given it to us.  As we exhale, we are now giving to something else that will take it from us.  We become part of that never-ending cycle that seems to be separate from ourselves.  However, we are not separate.  We are part of that as much as anything else. This allows us mentally to become connected.  Connected with the universe, nature, and each other.  The breath teaches us of mindfully giving and taking.  It teaches us respect because it is part of a larger natural cycle of doing just that. As you look at this painting, allow it to remind you of that universal cycle.  The colors fade from dark blue to white representing an inhalation and then back down as an exhalation.  All the while being connected to everything else.  Being a part of that cycle, that mindful giving and taking.  When you look at this painting, allow yourself to take a nice deep breath and exhale slowly.  Close your eyes and let your shoulders relax.  Remember that we are not separate, we are one. A few days into the creation of this painting, I happen to stumble upon this saying.  I thought I should include it, because it works so nicely with the meaning of this art. "There is an ocean of peace and strength in your chest. Deep breathes will set you free." ~Markus Almond Much love, Dawn Marie

Painting:Acrylic on Paper

Original:One-of-a-kind Artwork

Size:16 W x 24 H x 1 D in

Delivery Time:Typically 5-7 business days for domestic shipments, 10-14 business days for international shipments.