Painting itself can be an expression of Zen principles in a visual medium. It can symbolize enlightenment, or it can symbolize the moon, which is itself a symbol of enlightenment-as in the Zen saying, "Do not mistake the finger pointing at the moon for the moon itself." (In other words, do not mistake doctrines, teachings, or explanations, which are intended to guide one toward enlightenment, for enlightenment itself.) All things might be contained within, or, conversely, excluded by its boundaries. It can symbolize emptiness or fullness, presence or absence. An enso might seem simple to draw but only a few painters are known for their excellent enso, which are said to represent their mastery of Zen. It may be a perfect circle, or it may be imperfect in some way. It may be large, painted with a broad vigorous stoke, or it may be narrow and refined. The enso is a circle drawn in a single brush stroke. The enso, for example, is a symbol that is often used to represent Zen. (In this section, for simplicity's sake, the term Zen often includes Chan). I offer this particular enso as a symbol of all that is gathered and united within us - alive, open ended and true.Zen shares many symbols with other forms of Buddhism, but there are a few that are unique to Zen. The making of a circle with one brushstroke is a calligraphic practice of bringing that wholeness forth, through the gesture of the body, into form on the page. It is a universal expression of wholeness that lives deep in our beings. From Barbara Bash The Japanese word for circle is enso. It is from that inspired conversation that I intuitively knew that Barbara was the artist that I wanted to create the enso for my practice. Barbara and I met shortly thereafter for coffee. I witnessed Barbara facilitate a beautiful, integrative, and creative workshop called Opening the Door in February 2018, hosted by Naropa University. I sought out Barbara after learning about our shared lineage through a mutual connection. Her work can still be found in the halls of Naropa University. She taught at Naropa University in Boulder, CO, where she collaborated with storytellers, dancers, and musicians in performance. She has studied dance, drawing, calligraphy, and graphic design, which has led her to a successful career as a graphic artist, writer, and performer. About the Artistīarbara Bash is a calligrapher, illustrator, author, and performance artist. I could think of no better symbol for which to represent my work as your therapist. And through lessons of the impossibility of creating the perfect circle (sans mathematical calculations), we find this much to be true: that the very imperfections and contours that otherwise prevent a perfect circle from being created are exactly what makes the enso beautiful. The enso is a representation of our true and innermost self its creation is said to leave the artist fully exposed at that one particular moment in time. It symbolizes strength, elegance, and one-mindedness. The enso is a manifestation of the artist at the moment of creation and the acceptance of our innermost self. While at first glance, the enso symbol appears no more than a misshapen circle, it symbolizes many things: the beauty in imperfection, the art of letting go of expectations, the circle of life, and connection. Enso (formally spelled ensō) is a sacred symbol in Zen Buddhism meaning circle, or sometimes, circle of togetherness. It is traditionally drawn using only one brushstroke as a meditative practice in letting go of the mind and allowing the body to create, as the singular brushstroke allows for no modifications.
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