Jenna Hubbard Art

View Original

Understanding Impermanence: A Reflection on ‘Return to Me’

In the center of the canvas, a field mouse perches atop a vibrant red-capped Fly Agaric mushroom, its tiny form a testament to the fragility of existence. Yet, beneath the mushroom's sheltering canopy, a stark contrast unfolds—a field mouse, once alive and full of vitality, now succumbs to the inevitable embrace of decay. Bones exposed, it becomes one with the earth, a poignant reminder of life's impermanence. 24 carat gold leaf has been delicately woven throughout the scene. Each stroke shimmers with the promise of eternity, a subtle nod to the cyclical nature of existence.

Return To Me mirrors back the truths I have come to understand through my own spiritual journey. Life, I realize, is but a fleeting moment, a tapestry woven with threads of joy and sorrow, birth and death. And yet, in the midst of this ever-changing landscape, there exists a timeless essence—a universal Source that transcends the boundaries of form and time.

In the decay of the field mouse, I see the promise of renewal—the eternal cycle of death and rebirth that sustains all existence. Like the leaves that fall in autumn, only to be reborn in spring, so too does life continue its ceaseless dance of creation and dissolution.

As I sit in contemplation, I am reminded of the words of the ancient sages—“Asato ma sadgamaya, tamaso ma jyotirgamaya, mrtyorma amrtam gamaya”—Lead me from the unreal to the real, from darkness to light, from death to immortality. In this painting, I find echoes of that timeless wisdom—a silent teacher guiding us towards a deeper understanding of our own mortality, and in that understanding, the promise of liberation.

"Return to Me" is more than just a painting—it is a mirror reflecting back the impermanence and change that permeate our own lives. It beckons us to embrace the transient nature of existence, to find solace in the eternal rhythms of the universe.

And so, as I return to my daily life, I carry with me the lessons of this painting—a gentle reminder to cherish each moment, to embrace the beauty of impermanence, and to find peace in the eternal dance of creation and decay.