My OHMazing™ Journey: Self-Discovery Through Art

by Kristina Hilliard

Seated Buddha on a Lotus

China Ming Dynasty, 15^th century

Bronze, gilding, and pigment

Trammell and Margaret Crow Collection of Asian Art

1976.3

I have always been fascinated with art-- making it, studying it, and teaching it. Works of art have the ability to take us on journeys of self discovery as we examine them, and act as catalysts towards learning about culture. When we examine a beautiful Buddha sculpture from the Crow Collection of Asian Art, we can journey back to the time of its creation, to the place, time, and events. As I look over the image, I find symbols, mudras (hand gestures), and an immediate emotional reaction--all indicators of what this work of art means, how it was experienced, and why it was and is important. 

Buddha’s journeys are evident in all of the symbols and mudras found in Buddhist imagery. Here, Buddha sits upon a large golden lotus flower, a symbol of purity as it grows from the muddiest of waters into a beautiful flower gently floating above the waters’ surface. Buddha sits in the yoga asana known as lotus pose, and the soles of Buddha’s feet are imprinted with auspicious symbols representing the wheel of the law. His hands are clasped in a mudra of pure enlightenment, as he gazes downward with a calm, gentle face. 

Long ago, visitors would walk up to this life-size image of reassurance and calm bestowed by the Buddha in a candlelit temple, in which the flickering flames must have glistened and danced across the gilded statue, offering an awe-inspiring sight. For some, this may have been a final stop on a pilgrimage to the temple, and for others, perhaps a daily visit for meditation and offering. 

I can only imagine what it would have been like to witness this OHMazing™ sight in 15^th century China, however, even though the statue is now on display inside a beautiful museum, its message remains the same.  I am still reminded by this gentle and wise figure that we are all on our own journey toward compassion and happiness.

Yogiños drawing their self-portraits
near the Buddha sculpture as part of
their own journeys of self-discovery.

Just by looking at works of art, I am inspired to learn from the journeys represented within them to find my own ways of bringing compassion into the world. One of those is sharing these inspirational artworks with others--so that they can learn about the cultures represented in each work, thereby enabling them to understand their own place in the world, and ultimately more about themselves. 

We can look to works of art as well as to yoga to help us find compassion, and to reflect on how to bring more kindness and understanding into the world. What OHMazing™ choices will you make this week to show your compassion to others? 

Comment on this blog post below and be entered in a drawing for a free copy of the new Yogiños: Yoga for Youth® DVD: Vishnu's OHMazing™ Journeys.

Kristina Hilliard (second from left) is the Director of Interpretation and Community Engagement at the Crow Collection of Asian Art in Dallas and is currently pursuing her doctoral degree in art education in addition to her 200 hour yoga certification.