When you come to Wisdom Flow Studio in Pukalani on Maui the first thing you will notice is a striking mural on our South wall. The Tri-Murti (triplet of Gods) float larger than life at the center top and the Tri-Devi (triplet of Goddesses) stretch across the bottom in magnificent color and detail. Each God and Goddess are pair intentionally and personify energies that every human manages in their earthly experience. Like the characters in our childhood fables and fairy tales, these gods and goddesses embody life lessons that help us manage our energy more effectively. They teach us lessons that help us live as our highest and best Self.
This is important to understand. Yoga is not a religion. No one is being asked to worship gods and goddesses here. The gods and goddess are characters in a play about life that teach us how to bring out our best and avoid pain and suffering. These teachings are easier to understand when played out through characters we can relate to… just like fables. So religious people can relax and enjoy the iconography of yoga philosophy.
That being said, let’s explore the characters in our lovely mural. On the left (in the east) we have Brahman the god of new beginnings. He has four heads (the forth is facing backward so we only see the tip of his cap). The faces are looking in all directions to take into a full awareness of one’s surroundings as we venture into a new creation. Brahman is floating above Saraswati the goddess of wisdom; she is the one playing the sitar. They are a couple. Their harmony represent choosing new endeavors with careful wisdom.
We will always be creating new things in live, new business ventures, new relationship, new homes, new knowledge, etc. If we do not think things through and compulsively move into new ventures for impure reasons, we can end up harming ourselves and others and making a big mess. So Brahman holds the energy of new beginnings and Saraswati looks at us like a strict mother and says, “think it through and use this energy wisely. Make sure it is in alignment with your truth and will serve the people around you in the long run”
In the center of the mural Vishnu hovers above the beautiful Lakshmi. Vishnu is the great maintainer. He represents virtuous maintenance and appreciation for the blessings we enjoy. Lakshmi represents the flow of abundance. When we create something new, after the initial creation, we move into maintenance mode. Often we are very excited about the new beginning as we create something new but we’re not so good and showing up for the ling term maintenance. Think of the honeymoon phase of a new relationship… pretty yummy, but then by year three you are in maintenance mode and its a different energy. The idea of a new puppy is wonderful but when it comes to scooping poop and training everyday, sometimes we loose our enthusiasm. Vishnu and Lakshmi encourage us to show up with steady regularity and maintain our creations so they continue to shower us with blessings. Vishnu says, “you created it, now settle into steady maintenance with appreciation”. Lakshmi says, “rather than grasping for wealth, drop deeper into virtue and the wealth will naturally come from your steady virtue.”
On the right side (west side) of the mural we have Shiva hovering above Durga who is riding a lion. Shiva represents the energy of letting go. Everything we create is temporary. The energy goes on forever, but structures crumble. We’ve all been in job, relationships, even homes that we have outgrown. Our energy has changed so drastically that the structure of our current conditions can no longer support our new Self. In these situations we need to find the grace to let go; to let things fall apart. Often times if we don’t let go intentionally, a brilliant explosion of chaos will happen organically forcing us into transformation. When things do fall apart (and they always do) Durga is the energy of the loving mother who helps us pick up the broken pieces and put them back together in a new way that will serve our expanding soul. So Shiva says, “when it doesn’t feel good for the soul, it is time to let go and trust that something new is coming.” and Durga says, “If it all flies to pieces, I will be there to help put your life back together and help you move forward stronger and wiser than before.
Our lives move in waves. Within the larger wave of our lifetime there are many smaller waves; some just beginning in the energy of Brahman and Saraswati, other waves are peaking and we are mainting and appreciating their blessings with the energy of Vishnu and Lakshmi, and other waves are dissolving back into the ocean, we are letting go with the energy of Shiva and Durga. As you practice with us at Wisdom Flow Studio, you can gaze at these ancient characters and feel their support as you learn to ride the waves of your life with great ease and grace.