In this time of economic recession, deep uncertainty, and unmeasured fear, some are finding solace (as they have throughout history) from the movie screen, others, from the screen of their televisions as they watch and listen to the inspirational tones of our newly inaugurated president, and still others from the visionary and psychedelic art displayed at Alex Grey’s Chapel of the Sacred Mirrors. It appears that Grey, like Hollywood’s directors and Barack Obama, is in tune with the collective consciousness and its need (and appetite) for spiritual food. Grey would even be okay if that came in the form of little, white cubes. But, in addition to both condoning psychedelic drugs and acknowledging the role they’ve constituted in expanding his vision, Grey additionally provides us with one book, Art Psalms, among many others, which seeks to remind us of our creative potential and underlying interconnectedness.
In reading Art Psalms, I was, in fact, repeatedly reminded of Obama’s Inaugural Address. The visions and voices of these two men appeared to be one in the same and, when placed side by side, were hardly distinguishable. In this book, which includes sections such as “Soul Marriage,” a pledge which asks the reader to commit to personal and world transformation, “Guidance for Servants of God,” which outlines the lifestyle and view of the Sacred Path, and “The Plan,” which links universal creation to our creation in daily life, I found the parallels most apparent in a poem entitled, “The Plan,” in which Grey, through forty-five postulations, appears to enumerate the very truth and reason for our existence. Not so dissimilar, in the end, from Obama’s underlying theme, appealing to our duties and obligations as American citizens and “the knowledge that God calls on us to shape an uncertain destiny.”
Building sacred space together is a task beyond our individuality to which we can dedicate ourselves and prove the possibility of people getting along and making something beautiful together, Grey asserts in number 37 of “The Plan” (19).
In more politicized language, Barack Obama expresses quite the same sentiments, based in a steadfast value for community and collective thinking, when he espouses:
On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord….We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.
Or, take number 45, the conclusion of Grey’s poem:
Whether or not the new alliance of collective intelligences can save the unfinished masterpiece of life on earth is unknown however, the plan is underway (20) in comparison to Obama’s wrap-up:
Now, there are some who question the scale of our ambitions, who suggest that our system cannot tolerate too many big plans. Their memories are short, for they have forgotten what this country has already done, what free men and women can achieve when imagination is joined to common purpose and necessity to courage.
See what I’m getting at?……………….
The two men are…. “One,” the truth merely having been delivered to them in different forms. For Grey, this vision into universal interconnectedness was inspired by “etheogenically induced mystical experiences,” while for Obama (perhaps the same is true?!), perhaps the origin of his insight is a result of his community work and having born tangible witness to our interdependence. Regardless, both men are seers and both are in the business of transmitting their vision and plan.
At least for Grey, who characterizes Obama as a “highly evolved person,” as demonstrated in “his heartful clarity coming through in his talks,” the parallels between their views has not gone unnoticed. As proof: Grey recently undertook it to paint Obama’s portrait. Implementing his characteristic style, which could be said to “x-ray” the human body as it depicts the anatomical and spiritual qualities of a person in the context of “cosmic, biological and technological evolution,” Obama is portrayed with a globe marking the center of his forehead, blue and red veins tracing his face, and halo-esque light casting a glow around his features. For this artist who “paints souls” and aspires to “transport,” spectators of his work “into states of ecstatic reverence for live, love, and universal interconnectedness,” Obama provides an appropriate muse…and co-worker on this “plan” for both economic stimulus and spiritual growth.
Check out what else Alex Grey is up to and learn more about him on his website at: http://www.alexgrey.com/.
CLICK HERE to see what Grey had to say in SF Gate interview “LSD Helped Forge Alex Grey’s Spiritual, Artistic and Love Lives” with David Ian Miller.
CLICK HERE to find out about Grey in the New York Times article “Turning On, Tuning In and Painting the Results.”
