It is an alluring picture that may stir up some interesting
reactions and I feel like it is important that I explain why and how I chose to
have my album cover be an image of myself with ten arms, looking like some kind
of Hindu goddess.
It wasn’t easy deciding on what art to put on the cover of
this album, and I had so many different ideas. It had to be something that was
really meaningful for myself, which would perhaps also evoke feeling and
meaning for others. I of course wanted it to be pleasing to the eye, drawing in the attention of the viewer.
Other essential, contributing elements were Nature, Flowers, Sacred Geometry
and Music. My connection with Saraswati, Goddess of Art, Music and Higher
Learning definitely contributed to this vision. ** I thank Vishaka for helping me to create this cover, he was the one who took all the pictures of me and arranged it all! **
The symbolism of the multi-armed hindu deities, which aren’t
really seen in any other culture/religion, is a way to represent the various
attributes and powers of each god/goddess (which are the many manifestations of
the One reality, the All encompassing Infinite Existence known as Brahman).
Saraswati for example has four arms which are said to represent the aspects of
human personality in Learning: Mind, Intellect, Alertness and Ego. In her hands
she holds a Sacred Scripture or Scroll, a Mala and the other two hands her
Instrument: the Vina. The story of Saraswati is that she sprouted from the
forehead of Brahma, as he was in deep contemplation of how he would create the
world. He had a same for her: Gayatri. The Gayatri Mantra is a way that I
connect with the Divine as it is praising the Source of all Life that is “fit
to be worshipped” (Varenyam) and asking
for the blessings of this Supreme Light (Savitur) to enlighten our own Minds so that this Supreme
Truth, this Ultimate Reality be Realized (Prachodayat). This
is the Mantra that I sing in the song “Cosmic Mind.” Traditionally, it is said
to be most beneficial to recite this mantra at sunrise, high noon and sunset.
I was in no way intending to offend or make some sort of
blasphemous statement to cause controversy by portraying myself with many arms,
appearing like a Hindu deity. It is my belief that our human minds have the
ability to tap into our True Nature that is Divine, and a state of Being that
is Bliss (Ananda). In our very own
brains we can produce these states of Blissful consciousness (Samadhi). It is talked about in ancient scriptures: the “Rasa,” the Nectar, that gets released in our minds in
states of Samadhi. http://biologyofkundalini.com/article.php?story=TheCrystalPalace. By focusing our minds and intentions, with heart centered
devotion on God, Spirit, Source (whatever you wish to call the Supreme One),
using our life giving breath to energize the body and mind and using the power of our Words
(Sacred Sound Vibrations) to center ourselves and ask for the Blessings, to
embody all that is Loving and Good and to, in turn, be of Service for the good
of All- This awakening, this Activation happens from within. We are our own
temples. It is relevant to add here that plant chemistry has undoubtedly played
a major role in our evolution, brain development, and it continues to. (please see article : http://www.realitysandwich.com/tony_wright_interview)
In portraying
myself with many arms, I wished to represent the many attributes that I hold sacred in my life and to
express my belief that we all are blessed with the potential powers of Infinite
Love and Spirit within us and it is up to us to embody this in our lives, by
being Open and Willing to living our Life’s Purpose and Heart’s Desire. Once again, creating and using this
visual image for the cover of my CD was done with great consideration and
intention, not impulsively or for any selfish cause.
What may stand out first in the
image is me holding my insrument: the ‘Ukulele. This instrument was a gift given to be and made for me by a dear
family friend. The ‘ukulele is an instrument that was adopted from a Portuguese
instrument that came to Hawaii and became widely loved and is now a symbol of
contemporary Hawaiian culture. My ‘ukulele is a beloved instrument because I
can take it with me many places, it being small and portable. Having it in the
picture also emphasizes the role that growing up in Hawaii has played in my
personal development. My right hand is extended out and open to receive
Inspiration. Another hand holds Tibetan tingshas (cybals), which I use for sound healing.
The over all theme is SOUND Vibrations- I am
Open to receiving Inspiration that comes through me, using my body as well as
the instruments I am holding to invoke the Divine- to give Praise through my
own songs that I sing and other sounds that I make. It has been said that there
is no musical instrument more perfect than the human body. We take a deep
breath, (Spiritus, Latin for Breath) and
by using our force of breath along with the vibration of our vocal chords we
create Sound. When we use the power of our Sound and Words with our Love and
Intention, we give Praise, we can heal, we can create more love, harmony and
abundance in our lives. It is therefore up to us: if we wish to receive the
blessings we must Give- using our
power of sound with love, respect and kindness. (a lovely read: http://www.weare1.us/Sound_music%20healing_Toning.html)
In the picture, I am adorned with
flowers both fragrant and beautiful. I wear plumeria (frangipani), Spider Lily,
and Tulsi. These flowers I wove into a Ti leaf lei, I made entirely from the
plants surrounding my Home. The Tulsi flowers hold a very relevant place in my
life and I regard this plant with love and respect for its spiritual and
medicinal qualities. Tulsi, also known as Holy Basil has the Sacred name Tulasi
Devi , and is regarded as a form of the Goddess Lakshmi. It is my personal
Plant Spirit Guide. . http://prabhujisgifts.info/tulasi-devi-a-plant-of-devotion-and-much-more/
On either side, slightly above me
fly two hummingbirds. Hummingbirds are the most amazing birds in my opinion,
for their incredible tiny, yet powerful little bodies that are able to fly in
any direction, with wings that flap at a higher rate than any other bird, being
sustained from the high energy nectar of flowers. They are nectarians and it brings me much joy to behold
their grace and beauty. They are my sacred animal totem, appearing to me in
auspicious moments and dreams as a reminder to live my truth and purpose by
spreading the Joy and Light.
There is a Blue Flower of Life Mandala behind me. The flower
of life is Sacred geometry: the six pointed flower fits into a hexagram. Where
are two obvious and beautiful places we see this shape in Nature? Snowflakes
and honeycombs. All snowflakes are
hexagonal although no two are exactly alike. Amazingly as water droplets freeze
they take these intricate beautiful shapes, perhaps displaying the fabric of
existence. Water is essential to Life. Where there is water, we find life. A
very interesting read: http://www.charlesgilchrist.com/SGEO/Gal1001.html
So this symbol of the flower of life, symbolizes life and
Water.
The very last image of significance is the background
picture. This was a photo I took
myself, at a very mystical place for my self, Wai O Pele, which is one of the
few fresh water bodies that exists in Puna, inside the pit of an ancient
volcanic crater. The area is lush
with trees and other vegetation. I
took this photo while I was laying on the ground looking up through the canopy
of monkypod trees, and sun’s rays were shining through (Which you can see
shining directly behind my head.)
So there you have it, a detailed description of the
symbology of Nectarian album cover.
What other people might make of it through their own observation,
without knowledge of the intention I put into it, may be just as relevant. If people think I look like a bug,
that’s okay. If people find it offensive or blasmphemous, they are free to
judge as they will. If people see it as statement of an individual recognizing
and asserting her Divinity and what she hold sacred, so be it. I am just here
to invite you to tap into your own nectar of Truth. Be Blessed, Aloha~