CoSM blog

On the trail of Deus Absconditus

On Alex's birthday last Sunday, we walked the beautiful land of CoSM on the trail of Deus Absconditus. Thomas Aquinas used this term to refer to God, whose presence is hidden and only knowable through grace. We visited our favorite spots, the reflecting pond, the labyrinth, the wisdom trail.  The moon hung suspended, almost full in the sky above the "Altered State" sculpture in the meadow.  During the full moon ceremony we always remind ourselves that the moon is a symbol of the soul, a luminous sphere that is itself a Sacred Mirror, a reflection of a greater light.  When we realize our oneness with God's creation we become an extension of the One whose mission is to evolve spiritually and creatively.  Deus Absconditus is us.  We are the hidden God. In the Koran, Mohammed said "To know oneself is to know Allah."   The mystical experience of Oneness means transcendental unity with all creation that expands throughout the cosmos and beyond to the formless ground of Being.  This is a recurring theme throughout the great religions of the world.  Life is a trail where, in moments of enchantment and ecstasy, we gain a glimpse of Deus Absconditus in the Sacred Mirror of our own Godself.

Birthday Self-Portrait

OCC/CoSM Fundraiser Thank you Hurley!

A week after the opening at OCC there was a fundraiser where friends gathered to support the building of CoSM.  Jayson Maloney announced that CoSM would receive a generous $5,000 grant from Hurley, the surf wear and clothing shop company.  Hurley was also instrumental in granting OCC $10,000 to move the art to OCC.  There are currently a few shirts with Alex's art created by Hurley and they seem to have nearly sold out!  Thanks to friends for the support and being in the spirit of the art.

Artist Jayson Maloney, Alex and Greg Escalante, one of the masterminds of the show

 

Friends at the fundraiser...

Zena, Jonathan Singer, VJ extraordinaire, A & A, Satchi OM, DJ extraordinaire, Satchi's beloved, and CGI Wizard, Roy Edwards

Hurley shorts being donated to another fundraiser

The brilliantly creative men that run Hurley, CEO Roger Wyett and founder Bob Hurley

Zena and Allyson at the Hurley Shop

Happy Thanksgiving!!!



We hope and pray you are having a wonderful Thanksgiving Day with family, friends, and loved ones. Or doing just exactly what you like to do. Allyson and I are at CoSM with a skeleton crew, Zoe, Eduardo, a new guy named Jeff, and guests, Hayden and Alex Gordon-Brander (who are soon to be married at CoSM) celebrating a beautiful day and counting our blessings. You all are a great blessing to us.

Integral Art

     October 18 we had the pleasure of meeting with Ken Wilber at the Integral Institute in Denver, Colorado.  Alex and Ken discussed a subject they have addressed again and again through the years -- Integral Art and the altitude of the artist manifesting the artifact.  What level of higher realization is resonant within the being of the creator?  An integral artist, Wilber stated, holds themselves accountable, so that their spirituality and their creativity seamlessly blend.  Ken suggested for artists the Quaker edict:  "May the next expression out of our mouths (or brushes) be the direct inspiration of God."   A Quaker meeting has the air of expectant openness, with all members listening together for the Spirit to move them.  What if the art studio was charged with that kind of vigilant vulnerability and receptivity?   Ken doesn't suggest that artists stand around waiting for lightning to strike, but the intention of an integral artist must be the highest and deepest expressions of which they are capable at the time. The alignment or attunement of that artist allows for the most powerful delivery and the most effective conduit of the divine force.

The complete Being of an artist is resonant and embedded within each of their works. The attitude or character of the artist is imprinted on the artifact.  We get a completely different taste from "Campbell's Soup Can" by Warhol than from "Starry Night" by Van Gogh.  Both artists are folk heroes, ascended masters whose stories are well known.  One, the master of pop, adored by millions during his lifetime and beyond.  The other, shunned and held in contempt by society in his lifetime, recognized only after his death as an authentic transmitter of a powerful creative force. We resonate differently with these two artists.  Where Warhol's message is a love affair with materialism and corporate media culture, Van Gogh's paintings evoke oneness with nature. As creators, we are responsible for the vibration we send into the world. If we, as visionary artists, intend to bring our viewers into resonance on a higher level we need ourselves to awaken to the visionary realm.  Then, we can provide a third-eye witness portrayal, evidence of the existence of a domain experienced by countless mystics.

     We spoke of our land in the Hudson Valley and the importance of having art retreats surrounded by nature.  Research findings indicate that the most frequent trigger for mystical experiences is nature, with nature art being the second most frequent trigger. Another national survey found that almost half of all the people who have had mystical experiences consider the beauties of nature to be their primary inspiration.*  In one of Buddha's most famous teachings, the Flower Garland Sutra, Buddha was surrounded by disciples when he held up a flower.  All students tried to explain the meaning of this gesture except one who was suddenly enlightened.  The Buddha is often portrayed touching the earth, his witness to overcoming samsara and attaining enlightenment.  

    We are always grateful for spending time with Ken, in our opinion, the greatest philosopher alive.  

Fundraiser @ OCC

Orange Coast College Show

The Art of Alex Grey
November 14 - December 18, 2009
Main Gallery, Project Room and Young Gallery

Free to the public and refreshments will be served.
The Sacred Mirrors present the physical and subtle anatomy of an individual in the context of cosmic, biological and technological evolution. The Self-Portraits span 40 years of the artist’s life.

Gallery hours:
Tuesday-Friday 11-5pm. With extended hours on Wednesdays until 8pm.

photos by Eric Stoner

 

some minor repairs

 

 

 

Hurley team financed the shipping of art to California from Brooklyn

 

 

Masterminds of OCC show, Hurley, Andrea Harris and Greg Escalante



 

Zena Grey makes an appearance

Happy Day of the Dead!

Fall Color at CoSM

Get your beauty on at CoSM!  Come enjoy the Fall colors at this weekend's "Nature Mysticism" workshop.

Women's Visionary Congress

Allyson represented the community of CoSM at the Women's Visionary Congress.  Pictured below: (l to r) Carolyn "Mountain Girl" Garcia, Allyson Grey, Annie "Oak" Harrison, Maria "Hidden Mountain" Mangini, and Liz Rymland, Allyson's sister.  M.G., Annie and HMt are the three originators/producers of the WVC, this summer in its third year. 

Notice the teepees, the work of Hog Farmer extraordinaire, Dorji who promises to soon make teepees for CoSM.  Can't you just see them surrounding the "Altered State" sculpture in our meadow? 

Presenting at this year's Congress were devoted activists, authors, researchers, shaman and healers. Talks began with the subject of Visionary Communities, including the Hog Farm, our hosts, now in existence for over 40 years.  Allyson offered the past, present and future of CoSM, established in 1996, a relative new-comer to community organization.  Topics also included the role of the healer and healing with medicinal plants. A men's panel reflected on cultivating visionary relationships.  Performance goddesses, Annie Sprinkle and Beth Stephens spoke on "Exploring Sexecology with the Love Art" and then led a marriage with the earth.  Following this marriage, Nicky Scully ceremonialized the reception, complete with wedding cake, and then Allyson led the honeymoon procession to the labyrinth where in the center, the seed (crystals) were spilled into the earth.  In the future, we envision a Women's Visionary Congress at CoSM in the Hudson Valley.  

John Gilmore sits regally in the altar.  Thanks to John and all the men that served the ladies  at the Women's Visionary Congress.