These popular earrings are now available for purchase in my on-line store. This season I have made this Sun and Moon design in all hand hammered 24k gold vermeil and gold rutilated quartz. They are sturdily fashioned with strong, hand wrapped 14k gold filled wire to last a lifetime. They are finished with substantial, heavier gauge, fine sterling silver ear wires.

It's starting to feel like Winter. It gets dark earlier. Our New England instincts signal a turn inwards...

BUT if you are local, here are 9 good reasons to come to this event:

~Great live music by my friend Shamou, (www.shamou.com), well known in the Boston World Music scene.

~Free food and refreshments.

~This is a family event. Children are welcome!

~Find beautiful, durable, useful, unique gifts (jewelry, pottery, handwovens and more) for your loved ones and yourself that are one-of-a-kind and lovingly hand made.

~Connect with the artists (over 70 in our large juried, gallery) who make them, making it a meaningful exchange

~Buy USA made. Support your local economy by supporting local artists

~Get a head start on Holiday shopping and have fun while doing it!

~Stop in at the Apple store (right next door) while your'e at it

~Last but not least: see Gayatri Designs latest and largest jewelry collection!

It's a win-win-win-win....you get the idea!

THE MALL AT CHESTNUT HILL

199 BOYLSTON ST-ROUTE 9 at HAMMON POND Pkwy

CHESTNUT HILL, MASSACHUSETTS

Hope to see you there!

Sanskrit is the original, universal, scientific language of Consciousness itself. It has the full power (Shakti) to change and expand Consciousness merely by the of hearing it. The Sanskrit sounds or seed syllables correspond with the different chakras of our energetic bodies, and can awaken those centers of consciousness.

The purpose of life is to intuitively know ourselves as Consciousness; to awaken from this material consciousness of body and mind only and intuitively realize that we are more than this-we are the immortal soul. Something in us remembers this. Sanskrit language actually, practically and scientifically helps us to realize it! OM is the Mother of all creation-the original "word", vibration or Sanskrit seed syllable that literally brings this whole creation into being. In this way, Sanskrit language is in exact correspondence with Reality, Truth, God, Consciousness Itself. Below is an interesting video on the scientific basis of  Gayatri and an useful introduction to the metaphysics of mantras and how they work.

I first experienced the power of Sanskrit 12 years ago when I heard the Gayatri Mantra at a weekend silent meditation retreat. Thus began a love, and earnest pursuit of Sanskrit mantra, yoga meditation and philosophy which has continued to deepen and mature to this day. I had subtle, yet powerful experiences while listening and mentally chanting the mantra and noticed how it naturally and effortlessly led to a meditative state. The wonderful stillness and inner peace I felt after chanting the Gayatri prompted me to begin a regular practice of the mantra.

Mantra ("man" comes from "mind", and "tra", "tool"). One could say that mantra is a combination of specific sounds used as a tool by the mind to go beyond the mind.

Gayatri is a Sanskrit word referring to a goddess, her mantra and a Sanskrit verse based in the ancient Rigveda. It was first received by the great rishi (saint) Vishvamitra who attained God-Realization through its recitation. In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna proclaims, "Among mantras, I am Gayatri". The mantra can be described as a universal prayer and invocation to the Divine Light, to guide our intellect in the right direction. To chant the Gayatri is to join ones little streamlet of thought to the great thought form or divine stream which has been carved in the ether by countless saints and sages over many eons.

Gayatri Devi

This mantra embodies the essence of Agni (fire), and corresponds to the rays of the sun. It is traditionally chanted at the junctures of dawn, noon and dusk, in harmony with the movements of the sun relative to our earthly experience. The solar force of the Gayatri mantra has the power to burn up impurities in the mind and physiology, thus illuminating, protecting and strengthening the intellect and discriminative faculties. It is said that chanting the mantra 108 times morning and evening destroys the karma accumulated during the day.

The Gayatri Mantra is widely known, practiced and revered in India today. The following is a version chanted by the late, modern Indian saint, Satya Sai Baba, who had a great love and knowledge of the mantra. Many of his talks on the uplifting, spiritual and healing benefits of the mantra are available on-line.

One unique attribute of the Gayatri mantra is it's universality. It has spread far beyond the boundaries of India, such that many who practice Westernized yoga have chanted or at least heard of it. Below is a popular new-age version of the Gayatri mantra by musician, Deva Premal. This video also loosely translates the Sanskrit to English:

5 years ago I began my part-time jewelry business venture, Gayatri Designs. I dedicated myself to chanting the mantra while making my jewelry. More than creating beautiful adornments, this was a way to share the illuminating power of Gayatri with my customers. I often had a beautiful CD recording of the Gayatri Mantra by Vyaas Houston of the American Sanskrit Institute softly playing in my studio throughout the day.

Customers have commented on the "light", "glow", and "aliveness" of the jewelry I create and that it feels "healing" to wear. In the tradition of Ayurveda, a healer will chant appropriate mantras as they prepare medicinal herbs for a patient. In doing this, the medicine becomes energized with specific healing pranas. Jewelry, gemstones, metals, yantras and any material object can be energized with mantra and intention in this manner.

In my heart of hearts,

Lives the Holy Face,

of a Jew called Jesus,

In my expression, I'm a Sufi;

In my mind, purely Zen Buddhist;

and in practice, A Hindu.

My friends are all of the above,

and then some, 

atheists included.

I sit on the Lap of the Mother, 

She who is called by many names,

who takes different forms,

in different places.

I have found a comfy nook,

Nuzzled in so close,

I can hear Her breathe.

Strange, though looking out

From my seat,

Wherever I set my gaze,

All I see is 

Her Face.

-Seanne Sullivan, December 22, 2011