A SPIRITUAL SAGA – Article by Loren Lewisohn
According to ancient and contemporary Buddhist teachings, the center most principle unifying spiritual life is balanced living. Particularly noteworthy is the legacy of timeless wisdom, so auspiciously shared by it’s founder, Gautama Buddha. His inspirational oracles, trace patterns of growth and renewal, confirming the well-spring of natural perfection within us and Creation itself. The Buddha’s original teachings have become of major influence in today’s world, providing inspirational sustenance to millions.
Attractive contemporary styles of sacred art are now emerging in Hawaii. The artistry of the sacred has been beautifully portrayed by internationally acclaimed Swedish painter, Marianna Rydvald. To view her work firsthand, I was magnetically drawn to the romantic island of Maui. Tucked away in a delightful tropical flower-strewn meadow on the slopes of towering Haleakala Mountain is her studio and refuge … and indeed, I had! As I stepped inside her charming abode, I am greeted by a whole series of striking canvases depicting exotic Asiatic themes. Protector Buddhas, portraits of Sages and a dazzling array of impressive Tibetan deities captivate my eye. There is a sense of timelessness to this pleasant, lush scene that speaks to my soul of harmony.
Marianna, a personable woman with a mellifluous singsong European accent, consents to give me a tour of her sanctuary. It is a rare treat to be invited to document the evolution of this talented, prolific artist, whose work has received well-deserved acclaim from museums, private collectors, and the general public. It’s hard to know where to begin in terms of discussing her work, which has blossomed from humble beginnings over several decades.
I discovered that Marianna loves, as I do, to travel to far-flung locales. Dotted along the pilgrim trail are select power spots. Dharamsala and Sikkim, Benares, Nepal, the Pyrenees, Tepoztlán and Tibet, all stepped in ancient, mystical traditions. Her study of such lore has graced her unfolding path, complete with auspicious meetings with His Holiness the Dalai Lama as well as many other revered spiritual leaders. As she entertained me with tale after tale of remote Afghanistan, India and Nepal’s lofty Himalayas, I am able to piece together the luminous tapestry of her life. Though her travels have taken her far from her native mountains, her children that now are grown and successful in their artistic fields, have been and still are the greatest source of her inspiration. They have accompanied her on her spiritual quest, for they are part of her spirit.
Her roots run deep in her connectedness with Nature. Born into the pristine Nordic environment of Lapland (Northern Sweden), she has been able to, in her way, identify with the natural virtues of Nature at its best. Marianna’s quiet passion is truly remarkable. She whispers to me in a playful nonchalant, yet somewhat serious tone: “Nature is a splendid teacher, teaching impermanence, leading to experiences of relative and ultimate truth.” Her amazing words zing like the ascending full moon through unplumbed space, for in acknowledging the transcendental nature of self-realization, the immortality of the Living Spirit is honored. All this follows what a precious Teacher, the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa, once told her: “Be true to your own style. Study the old traditions and work on the transitions from the old to the new.”
Further developing an inner calling, she began her career with intensive study of the world’s foremost illumined scholars – philosophical greats such as Herman Hesse and Rudolf Steiner. From Hess’s landmark book, Siddhartha, she became introduced to eastern wisdom. Since this early exploration, Buddhist themes have pervaded much of her artwork. Yes, also, she skillfully waves together a variety of other spiritual traditions, including Sami, Native American, Hindu, Celtic and Mexican influences. Marianna, as I found out, is well versed with ‘the bigger picture.’ Her artistry is not only prevalent on balmy Hawaiian shores but, also, emblazoned on the sides of tall urban skyscrapers in the bustling metropolises of Stockholm, Copenhagen and on many buildings in Europe, India and the United States.
Adopting a world view, her artistic efforts are in the universal scope, all-encompassing in luminosity. I her words: “The purpose of this work is to inspire spacious equanimity. As I have lived in many parts of the world, contemplating sacred traditions and experienced the suffering of conflict and war, deriving from views that separate people from one another, I wish through this art to unify these sacred traditions, inspiring the transition, the coming together of the People, thereby creating peace and understanding in dedication of World Peace. A presentation of my art and thoughts will be published and an exhibition, “Emerald Treasures”, may be viewed at Tibet House in New York in the near future. One project close to my heart is to create a “Sanctuary of Transformative Art and Science”. I will dedicate originals and murals for this project, to inspire present and future generations.”
During one stage of her long pilgrimage, she was invited to paint murals depicting “The Life of the Buddha”, on the walls of the Karma Tharjay Chokhorling Monastery, located at Gautama Buddhas’s place of Enlightenment, in Bodhgaya, India. There, two of her huge murals delineate the radical juxtapositions of Buddha’s life. On the one hand, in the painting, “Buddha Practicing Austerities”, viewers are shocked to see extreme asceticism that preceded Buddha’s eventual adoption of the less austere, “Middle Path”. At the other end of the spectrum is the rich, sumptuousness of the bliss-captivated Sage, as portrayed in the “Enlightenment” mural. A joyous occasion was when His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the President of India presided at the inauguration of the Temple, and equally joyous to Marianna is that now the murals in Bodhgaya are visited yearly by millions of pilgrims that travel from all over India to a holy place they love. Marianna’s aspiration is that these western/Nordic style murals encircled by beautiful Tibetan ornamentation and depiction beloved Sages of India, will inspire “the coming Together of the People”.
In additional works, Marianna honors sacred cosmological wonder of the Divine Feminine principle. This is particularly notable of her brilliantly conceived Tara painting, “TARA, the Mother of all Buddhas and Savior of All Beings”, is magnificent. Steeped in a moonstone luminescence, transcending duality, the glowing image emanates super-charged compassionate wisdom!
In her own words: “In my childhood there was no apparent influence from eastern traditions. I created a sacred primordial Mother in my mind. Her name was Tara. She was endowed with accomplishments of virtue, wisdom and compassion, expressing luminosity and simplicity, free from elaborations. My first poems and paintings of Tara were done in the late 1950’s, followed by paintings done in a more traditional eastern form, where Tara so beautifully portrays these enlightened qualities. My grandmothers were from Sami origin, reindeer herders. Later in life, I learned that in the Sami traditions there exists a primordial Mother called MaTaraKa. How wonderful to experience the long journey of all our ancestors as they circumambulated our home planet, praying for guidance, liberation, that exquisite simplicity, being one with everyone. Therefor I love to create forms of primordial Mother, and abode of peace withing beings, inspiring equanimity.
Sadly, we acknowledge, how women have been repressed for ages, by warlords and patriarchs, who suffer from ignorance, pride and the hunger for control, fearing the wisdom of the Mother. Thus, we cast aside all dualistic clinging as used garments in humble veneration of the blissful, non-dual spaciousness experienced as Clear Light. With gratitude we bow at the feet of all our mothers and fathers, grandmothers and grandfathers, the loving one’s who put us here, who bestowed upon us, the greatest gift of all, Life, La Vida y Amor”.
In the cosmology of the sacred, all moves full circle. Her “White Buffalo Calf” mural tells of the Native prophecy of global unification. According to the teaching, the birth of a white buffalo is meant to signify bridging the twain, between east and west. The threads of diverse traditions are converging to emphasize, with heart, the glory of oneness. It’s time for leaders and the common populace from many walks of life to gather, to exchange information and render assistance to one another and the world. Ideally, this dynamic synthesis is designed to rebirth cooperative harmony, the prevailing peace which perfectly embodies a whole series of ensuing ages of enlightened wisdom.
Equally as unusual are the birthing temple series of paintings that tap into the dynamic pulse of Hawaii. The main theme is that of a powerful Hawaiian enchantress, Pele – the fiery volcano Goddess said to oversee the evolution of the islands. Bu seeing the activity of seismic eruptions firsthand, massive lava flows, creating new turf, observers are able to gain a healthy respect for the creative forces of the Universe. In contrast to Pele’s fiery ambiance, Marianna has graced the Maui Community College with a magnificent canvas mural, “The journey to Shambhala”, depicting children from many nations receiving teachings from our ancestors in joyful harmony with Nature.
Within the tapestry of continual upheaval, I’ve also admired scenes from Marianna’s political Avant Garde theater, sacred drama performances, having evolved from the early 1960s. she has attracted a wide diversity of skilled artisans, including well-known composers and directors. While visiting His Holiness Gyalwa Karmapa’s Monastery in Sikkim in the early seventies and seeing his operas, she became inspired to create Dharma Theater in the West. Expressing these visions to His Eminence Tai Situpa Rinpoche, she was advised to go forward in her quest, to discover talented actors, dancers and writers and draw from the magnificent storehouse containing “Life Stories of Masters”.
She envisioned the first play to portray the Life and Quest of Padmasambhava, a great mystic who was invited to Tibet by King Trisong Detsen, to inspire the Vajrayana Path amongst his people. She wished to portray the Sage both in historical and current perspectives thus evoking his enlightened benevolence, at this time when the world is threatened by many wars. In addition, her wish was to demonstrate how the great mystic in his quest to enlighten all realms, can transform negative energies into auspicious qualities, through nonattachment and devotion. Tis would be acted out in a scene where Padmasambhava challenges the Raksha King, who is the energy of stagnant self-cherishing, the Rudra of ego. They debate and Padmasambhava displays the mystical dance of the great Herukas, protectors of Dharma. The Raksha King and his realm realizes the futility of attachment and are instantly transformed into the benevolent and enlightened activity of the Herukas. Bridging a wide array of diverse spiritual traditions, such as Native American, African, Indian and Tibetan dancers, actors and musicians would honor Padmasambhava’s victorious quest.
One of the main characters would be a Chinese Taoist priest, whose support of Padmasambhava signified the long sought-for peace between Tibet and China. The accomplished Dakini Yeshe Tsogyal would be seated in a solitary cave performing “Chod”, compassionate liberation practice, evoking transference of consciousness. Mother Dakini, Shir Mandarava, an enlightened Indian princess, would represent motherly love and compassion that goes beyond the craving of the self. A Naga queen with attendants who guards sacred treasures would offer them to Padmasambhava. Also, a mighty war lord, comprehending the Master’s teachings on impermanence, seeing the dance of the “Chitta Mani”, was transformed through Padmasambhava’s blessings into the legendary Tibetan, King Gears of Ling, a Bodhisattva hero. He promises to carry out the commands of Padmasambhava, to be a guiding Dharma protector for all beings. At the finale there would be dedication songs in homage to His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Finally, after over twenty years of preparations, study and contemplation, Marianna had gathered friends and sponsors, to put together a showcase at California’s Marine Civic Auditorium, San Rafael, performing, “The Life of Padmasambhava” in the spring of 2000. The Artist painted large murals, depicting the sacred Himalayas and vision of space, elaborate crowns and painted costumes that were specially designed to represent Nature’s elements. Marianna performed in the play and cast many of the performers. This enactment was a momentous endeavor and learning experience. Marianna hopes that through this model showcase, everyone that worked with the play, learns how to purify and simplify a performance, so that the essence of Dharma Theater will be understood and embraced by the audience.
When I ambled through Nepal’s bustling Kathmandu recently, I glimpsed a lone priest attentively revolving a Tibetan prayer wheel while chanting mantras. I was reminded that Marianna’s visions are also essential parts of the Great Wheel of Life itself … Planting seeds and growing, reaping rich harvests, being ONE with the infinite ways of Dharma.
As Marianna and I discussed our mutual interests, I realized that the entire day had almost vanished! There, before us on the distant horizon, was a huge golden sun, slowly sinking into oblivion. In the impending twilight, just before parting the serene refuge, I caught a glimpse of yet another beautiful painting, inspired from a dream, — an eagle grasping a Tibetan thangka, tendering it mid-flight over the Himalayas. This, I view, as a gracious omen. It is Marianna’s quintessential spirit mingled with the Buddhist teachings, reaching ever new heights. In celebrating this same joy … may Light radiate through all realms! ….
For a firsthand glimpse of Marianna’s artwork, you may view it online at: https://www.dakiniart.com. She is also available for commissions.
You may contact her at: dakini@maui.net
1 Bellows Lane, Woodstock, NY 12498
(808) 344-2869