Wednesday, July 22, 2009

MANDALA (Shri Yantra) THE GROUP-ITG's logo

MANDALA - The Group's logo

A mandala is most commonly a diagram or painting that one uses during meditation. The painting is usually brightly colored and extremely complicated. In Sanskrit (the language of the Vedic culture--the 1st civilization in the universe), mandala means "circle", and the most important symbolic function of mandalas is as circular containers of "sacred space." Beginning at the other perimeter of the picture and gradually working inwards (sometimes pausing at certain parts to contemplate), the meditator becomes completely absorbed. By the time that the center is reached, all normal egoistic notions should have been dissolved and the profundities of the mind should have been opened. Other religions have various other ways: mass, chanting, sacraments, reciting holy scripture, contemplating. These too become their mandala -- their objects or means of worship. But it is not enough to go to church or temple once a week, or to read a bit of a holy book every morning. Can God (Krishna, Christ, Tao or whatever name you use) be confined to such simple rituals? No! We could fly to the very height of the cosmos, plunge to the greatest depth, breadth of eternity, and still not come to the limits of God. Therefore, we should look for God in every day. We should ask ourselves each day how God manifested itself to us. Our daily activities are our mandala. God reveals itself to us in our mundane doings.

Friday, May 22, 2009

INTEGRAL TRANSFORMATION

(in'te gral) adj.
Whole; entire; complete, as in

1) multi-cultural & cross-disciplinary studies;
2) bridging Eastern & Western traditions of knowledge;
3) incorporating analytical, experiential and practical ways of knowing;
4) joining the transpersonal & spiritual dimensions of life with community service;
blending of religious and spiritual values with the benefits of modern technology;
5) joining the factors & variables of development with the goals and objectives of the
organization and its people.

(trans'for ma tion)
n.

Transformation is, literally, a forming over, a restructuring. By transformation we speak of the transformation of people--specifically the transformation of consciousness. In this context consciousness does not mean simple waking awareness. Here it refers to the state of being consicous of one's consciousness. You are keenly aware that you have awareness. In effect, this is a new perspective that sees other perspectives--a paradigm shift.


BUDS MOLINA FERNANDO
(Founder-President)
Integral Transformation Group, Inc.
(established 1992)