TREE OF LIFE by Sicily DeMiglio (description)

here is the description of the Tree of Life project included in the First Gathering and Art Unveiling event held in August 2010.

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BACKGROUND (A Note from Mark) This is a next step on a journey of finally making it to California after a 3 or 30 year or longer process, depending on what’s being counted, and taking time to find the right place. As people who were part of the search may recall, the major goals were to find a space that felt like an oasis to me, would remind me that I am living in this beautiful part of the world, and would be a welcoming gathering place for community activity. I can vouch for the first two already. I need your help with the third! My hope is that the energy of the space has a good beginning vibration, built on the values that have shaped what’s gone on inside: Security – Ease – Community – Joy – Gratitude. A feng shui practitioner cast the core approach to pursuing those values this way: “Maintaining the sense of feeling grounded in your home, open to the divine, with you, the human, being the connecting element. Heaven, Human, Earth.” I agree, with a twist. It takes humans, plural, to make something like this work. The amazing support from my sister Sue and nephew Josh. The blessing of Susan Felix allowing me to hang some of her compelling work capturing The Mystery on my walls. The amazing good fortune of meeting Sicily DeMiglio, and watching her engage the mystery by turning 10 blank canvasses into a beautiful and provocative meditation on The Tree of Life. The blessing of blessings by some wonderful souls, including one for the home by the fabulous and wholly present R. Diane Elliot, and one for Sicily by the wise, grounded and open hearted Barry Barkan, which I witnessed take Sicily to new levels -- pretty amazing given that she already was an incredibly gifted artist, graceful healing presence, and one of those special people who breathe light and love into the world. And many more, from friends and family that have touched this journey along the way, both from here and afar, and others who will help it unfold in the future. So, Heaven, Humans, Earth! I hope you are able to come for this first gathering. And if not, to join in community activities that will hopefully begin happening here -- even creating and/or leading them if you dare!