About The Earth Mandala
Use of the Mandala
The term mandala is Sanskrit and may interpreted as "essence" or "completion". It is typically a concentric diagram, that the Buddhist and Hindu religions for centuries as a meditative tool, often as a representation of the Universe.
The Garden Of Eden Project is using it in a very similar manner. We are using the mandala to model our earth and its relationship to the cosmos in its Garden Of Eden state, as well as to organize the imformation we are presenting here.
While we consider it to be an extremely powerful tool in focusing intent, it is important to remember that it is just a model and a tool. Our ultimate goal is a specific heart state for inhabitants of our planet, and a harmonious relationship between the inhabitants and the planet itself.
The Heart and Symbolism
The first key qualities of our Earth Mandala is its nonlinearity and its nature as a symbol. As we progress toward the Garden it will become increasingly apparent that state of being required is is heart centered rather than head centered. Throwing out logic and hundreds of years of scientific achievement is not the goal here. Rather, it is a return to the primacy of heart feeling and thinking, or rather an open acknowledgement of this inherent fact.
Every person walking the planet, be they the most empirically oriented science geek or the most free loving, tie dye wearing hippie, does what they do because of how it makes them feel, not because of some logical train of thought. We are feeling centered beings, and our brain is a master at masking with dry analysis, our primal, feeling based motives. This is not a knock on the brain. We have amazing tools at our disposal to help us explore our universe and feel great, and this includes our wonderful brains.
Eventually we will literally "think" with our heart. The knowledge base of most people would tell them this is impossible, but the heart can in fact house your consciousness, and it can send and receive thoughtforms. It does so in a much more intuitive manner than does the brain, which is limited to linear, logical thought patterns.
Intuitive thought access may be likened to sitting in the control chair in the center of a very advanced computerized Universal Library that is arranged in a spherical fashion, and being able to access the thoughtform directly and radially, rather than following some laborious logical string. In a mathematical sense it is a shift from a cartesian thought process to a radial one, based in polar orientation.
If words are the language of the mind, then symbols and pictures are the language of the heart. Encoding a symbol like the Earth Mandala with intent will allow us to convey information to you and your heart in a much richer and more consice manner than with text.
Any and all symbolism in the Mandala and in this site is meant in the very highest sense. While most symbols are neutral and are dependent upon context for their positive or negative interpretation, some have been twisted for egoic means. There is no attempt to trick or dissemble here, so please interpret any symbol you see here as well as you may. If you have any questions about the symbolism just drop us an email and we will be happy to elucidate.
The Grid
The Mandala is arranged roughly as a polar grid, with 14 concentric circles of ever increasing radius being divided into 9 regions (yes, some of the circles are octagons and the ninth region is just the center). The ninth circle, or valence, are the 12 astrological symbols, representing their archetypal influence over us and our planet.
The 14 circles represent the spheres of influence of an individual, starting with the self, and working out through family, community and country all the way out to the entire Universe. The 9 regions represent 9 aspects of our Universe.
The Aspects
Those of you who are familiar with Feng Shui may recognize the similarity of the Earth Mandala to a Bagua Map, and this is not incidental. A bagua map divides a given building or space into nine sections, and relates these sections to life aspects of the occupantants of the space. In a like manner our Mandala is octagonal, with 9 nine sections relating to aspects of human life on our planet in its Garden state, as mentioned previously.
Unlike a bagua map however we have correllated these aspects with western esoteric elements and zodiacal archetypes, except for the center, which is represented by the Dao. A brief description of the aspects and correlating symbolic archetype follows.
Dao
Traditionally the Dao was associated with the All, Divinity and its underlying polarity, yin and yang, dark and light, male and female.
This relates to spirituality in the Garden. How do you pray when Divinity is all around you? What do you meditate upon when you have already ascended? Have a look-see.
Veritas - Air
Traditionally Air has been associated with the mind.
In the Garden there are mysteries. That is because the Universe is Infinite, and can never be truly mapped or known in its totality. We can however, constantly seek to discover its underlying truths. Veritas is this quest.
Service - The Sun
In western astrology the Sun is traditionally associated with the self or the ego.
Submitting the ego to service to others is essential to the Garden, because service may be the best win-win proposition ever. Giving with an open heart is receiving a thousandfold, and what Paradise would be complete without this?
Art - Fire
Traditionally Fire has been associated with passion
I think this may be more accurately titled Passion. Creating with passion may be our highest calling. I believe sports can be included in this, and can be one of the most beautiful forms of passionate creation, as well all of the traditional art forms.
Business - Venus
In western astrology Venus is associated with love and consummation
So what does Venus have to do with business, and what does business have to do with The Garden Of Eden? Believe or not Venus has long been associated with business. Business is a convergence of people, resources and energetic potential in form of capital, for the purpose creating a product or service that will be of value to the community. Now do you see the connection? Convergence of people? Energetic potential? Businiess is all about lovin'. A business sector that serves the community FIRST, and has a profit motive second, will be a very key component of the Garden.
Wellness - Water
Traditionally Water has been associated with health and emotions
The maintenance of our beautiful temples we call our bodies will of course be required in the Garden. The principles of true wellness are far simpler than most of us think.
Nurture - Moon
In western astrology the Moon is associated with fertility and nurturing
The proper raising and development of children is the most important job there is. Love and education will be synonimous in the Garden.
Abundance - Earth
Traditionally Earth has been associated with industriousness and wealth
The Garden is abundance. It is having every one of your needs met, and exploring the depths of your wants. It is a good thing that we live on such a beautiful planet that can provide this abundance if we only live in harmony with her.
Community - Jupiter
In western astrology Jupiter is associated with philosophy and good fortune
Community is absolutely vital to the Garden. The power of competition lies in its ability to motivate us to stretch ourselves to excel. There are some aspects of life in the Garden however that are best managed in the commons. There is no Garden if there is a hungry person. There is no garden if there is a person anywhere without food or shelter. There is no Garden if anyone's inalienable rights are being violated anywhere. Anyone, anywhere.
The best part about community though is not its inherent ability to provide the basics of sustenance at a level impossible at the level of an individual or family, but the ability to organize celebrations on a massive level. Community in the Garden is festival and partying. How cool is that?
You may have noticed that the cardinal points relate to the four elements and somewhat self directed aspects, while the tweeners on the diagonals are associated with astrological archetypes and how we relate to each other. While it is impossible to truly chop a cohesive whole into parts and claim any extraordinary degree of accuracy, the exercise is very valid to the extent that an ideal society which the Garden Of Eden represents would definitely exhibit all of these aspects in abundance, and they are definitely worth our consideration.
The Great Beyond
The blue field with the occasional indistinct star that the Mandala rests in may be the most important aspect of the Mandala - the infinite unknowable. We live inside a great beautiful mystery that is simply not comprehensible or modelable by humans. There is an infinty beyond us, and that is ok.
Much like the sand drawn mandalas of Tibetan monks, the Earth Mandala is a fleeting look at something which we can only approximate, and when it has served its purpose, it will blow away.
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