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Saturday, September 13, 2008

SACRED LIFE SUNDAY: MAKE ME A HOLLOW REED

Bamboo stalk

hollow reed mandalaHollow Reed Mandala -(Autumn Circle series) - © Sue O'Kieffe 2008
source image: bamboo stalks and leaves

When the interior of a reed is empty and free from all matter, it will produce beautiful melodies; and as the sound and melodies do not come from the reed, but from the flute player who blows upon it, so the sanctified heart of that blessed Being is free and emptied from all save God, pure and exempt from the attachments of all human conditions, and is the companion of the Divine Spirit. Whatever He utters is not from Himself, but from the real flute player, and it is a divine inspiration ~ Abdu'l Baha

Every day I walk past a patch of bamboo. The color of the leaves and the stalks is now a sort of antiqued bronze. Last week I noticed lady bugs on many leaves, and I wondered what was on the bamboo that the lady bugs were loving. Recently whoever takes care of the bamboo trees trimmed off the branches overhanging the driveway, revealing many hollow reeds. This time of year I am noticing more of the patterns of nature -- stems and leaves -- now that they aren't competing with show-offy flowers for recognition.

While creating this mandala today I thought about the joy I feel when I am able to step aside and make room for the Creator's energy to flow through me. I love it when art seems to make itself...no angst, no struggle, just ease...

Oh, God, make me a hollow reed, from which the pith of self hath been blown so that I may become as a clear channel through which Thy Love may flow to others....




Sue O'Kieffe
Sacred Circle Mandalas

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sue...
This is such a beautiful site...and full of love and inspiration. Please stop by my blog and pick up the award that I am passing on to you!!
Artfully Yours,
Pattie

Anonymous said...

Thank you, thank you,thank you for your beautiful
site!
Jackie from Miami,FL

artandtea said...

Hi Sue,
How lovely to see bamboo outside everyday as you walk. Your mandala of the bamboo looks like an antiqued drawing. Beautiful!

Doe Grozs Art said...

Yesterday as my husband and I were walking, we noticed bamboo planted like a wall behind someone's house. We stopped to admire it. I love bamboo.. seems magical to me.
Wonderful to listen to Kitaro too, reminded me of Peruvian music. I love the colors in this mandala and the peaceful feel I get from it and your written words gave me goosebumps :-)
I too have become aware of the patterns of nature more this year than ever before.
thanks for sharing :-)
Doreen

Unknown said...

A beautiful Mandala, writings, and great music for viewing! Thanks for the inspirations!

Many blessings,

SuZen

healingmagichands said...

How strange to come to your blog and read words of a prayer I have prayed so many many times. It is a prayer I still hold to, asking to be a hollow reed that the power and energy of God and the Universe can flow through and out my hands as I work doing massage. It is difficult to be a clear passage, but not impossible.

Beautiful mandala, beautiful ideas, beautiful music.

Blessed is the spot, and the house and the place...where mention of God hath been made and His praise glorified.

Blessed be.

Anonymous said...

A beautiful Mandala, wonderful colours.

John M. Mora said...

I like boththe photoi and of course the mandala. mandala comes closer to the palette you use in your "doodles" - it is a strong image and more masciuline - less mystrerious than many.

There is no way to pause your music - your are the Murdoch of blog.manadalas....controlling the airwaves. :}

Anonymous said...

see.where.to.cha.cha.cha...bottom

yawn

Anonymous said...

You've enhanced the "feeling" of bamboo. Looking at this mandala, I feel the lightness and texture of the wood. Also it has a hollowness about it... the direction of the lines lead my eye down into the center.