I have already written about how I chose my word for the year here, so I won't repeat myself...
My word/phrase is BE A VESSEL, and I am really excited to experience its unfolding!
To celebrate it, I bought a sweet, little bowl from UK potter Kerry's etsy shop
I just love its scratched exterior as it reminds me of a nest, and the pale green interior is the perfect colour of Spring and shiny new growth...
I decided to make an ice mandala in my new little vessel to photograph for this post.
An ice mandala is simple - you sit and meditate and watch the magical transformation of a solid to a liquid...
Five chunky cubes fitted snuggly in my nest-bowl.
I didn't consciously choose 5, but there happens to be 5 inhabitants of our home - my hubbie, my son, my daughter, our cat and me :o)
Then, I settled down to watch and photograph, and ponder on this new year, and what it may mean for me to be a vessel...
I didn't have any mighty revelations particularly, but I was struck by the fact that each cube melted at its own rate - each had its own alloted cube lifespan...
... and as it melted, it seemed that the other cubes moved to fill the space it left behind, until finally, there was no ice, but instead a cup of refreshing cold water...
... which I drank toasting to the New Year - to a year where I am to be a vessel, a receptacle, a bowl in which to receive blessings, and also to offer them up...
36 comments:
You have great patience! How long did that take!? Such a good idea to just slow down and just be. A very pretty bowl, too
Jenni
Whoa - I am absolutley floored by this pictorial intrepretation! I was so inspired that I actually read your post three times! I may actually print it out and post it to refer to often! Loved it (and your chosen vessel, too!)
Claire, what a wonderful experience this ice mandala. I totally enjoyed the photos and the richness of your post. Thank you for sharing this with us.
Really wonderful post! Great interpretation of melting ice and how it represents family, life and the passing of time. Very cool!
Beautiful meditation technique. Thank you for sharing.
I loved your post and series of photos, it is going to be a great year!!!
There's something very powerful about your word, from being individuals to filling in where others can't (makes me think of supporting someone when they need it) to be open to receive blessings and to give them back. Fantastic time lapse, too, and a beautiful bowl.
That is a wonderful word and I love your photo series. That bowl is so pretty and such a great reminder.
I love your word for the year and really enjoyed seeing the progression of the ice in that sweet bowl as it melted. I am reminded of the sermon our preacher did a couple weeks ago about making time to just do nothing. During this time our brains recharge, sort out the bad stuff and allow new ideas to develop.
Wow, great post! I like your word/phrase and the ice mandala is such a wonderful ritual - thanks so much for sharing it and here's to a year full of many blessings for you to receive!
Claire, Love your word AND your thoughts. What a great way to stay in the moment and force yourself to take a pause.
You took a simple word, and turned it into not only a photo, but an activity and a meditation. So creative and reflective. You are a vessel of wonder.
I really enjoyed reading about your phrase and the intentions you have for them this year! Beautiful sentiment!
What a lovely post and a beautiful little vessel!
Based on University Chemistry I would have missed most of those steps... I would have wondered off and remebered the project when it was far too late to get any pictures. Hope you fill your vessel with lovely thoughts and activities in the upcoming year!
What an excellent phrase to follow for a year. I enjoyed your post and look forward to watching how your outlook for 2013 is revealed in photos.
Hi Claire,
Vessel is a great word and one that I am sure you will live up to this year and years to come. I enjoyed reading about the ice cubes in the bowl nice touch.
Therese
Too cool! I love your interpretation of your word/phrase and the patience to sit and watch the ice melt and take photos of the process. WOW!
What a unique interpretation! I'd never heard of an ice mandala before. Initially, I was simply impressed with your patience, but I have to disagree with your comment that you 'didn't have any mighty revelations'. Your following comments are quite lovely.
That was truly inspirational! Great when you need to really sssslllloooowwww down! Wonder if it would work on kids.....
First, what a wonderful, beautiful interpretation of your word for the year. The bowl is beautiful.
What I am most taken with is the concept of the ice mandala. I've never heard of that, but it's very intriguing. It sounds relaxing and invigorating at the same time. Thank you for sharing it with us!
What a fantastic post ... I love how you so beautifully illustrated your word for the year! Very thoughtful and moving ...
What an intreaging idea! Very thought provoking, for all of us.
What an interesting phrase to focus on for the year. It implies possibility. Great post and a beautiful little vessel!
Oh, wow - this is a new take on patience and you made me stop and think... thanks for sharing - I love your phrase: may you sail peacefully!
What a beautiful post Claire. I love your word and your concept. This is an awesome bowl. Gorgeous- the colors really speak to me and I agree it has a nest look. Boy have I been inspired by all these wonderful chosen words!!!
Love the ice mandala idea. And it just goes to show how what we receive as a vessel can be interpreted by us and manifested by us in so many different ways...just as differently as each of the ice cubes in there! We must be wise in deciding which interpretation we want to believe!
Such a wonderful phrase for the year of 2013! I love the series of photos capturing the ice cubes melting slowly, patiently becoming one! Beautiful!
Clair, what a great choice for your word/phrase for 2013...very thought provoking. And the ice mandala is an incredible exercise and concept...I had never heard of that before. But what a great way to slow down and reflect.
How cool is that?! you made a whole ritual from your word, I just love it!
I enjoyed reading your post...thanks for sharing!
What struck me was the appearance of a flower midway and then the gradual melting and "turning to seed" like timelapse photography in reverse!
An ice mandala...that is beautiful! I have never heard of that. It would be a lesson in patience for sure. I would guess that I would want to speed up the process or walk away and let it happen. I admire your persistence. Also to be a vessel, to hold things in closely, to be a gathering place, to settle in your soul. Very powerful phrase! Wonderful imagery! Enjoy the day. Erin
What a creative idea that ice mandala is :D
What a beautiful post! The ice mandala is something I have never heard of and was so interesting to watch in your photos and really did make me think. Wishing you a blessed new year ahead!
Hi
As you have mentioned in comments to my post, I thought of reading about your ice-mandala. Its really interesting. I must try doing this really soon! And I liked how you related the transformation to real life. Ice-cool!
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