Stone Lithograph

29” x 20.5” 

2013
 

I developed this stone lithograph around the philosophy behind the Mayan phrase "In Lak'ech Ala K'in." I believe that this greeting, which basically translates to "I am another yourself," holds a great amount of value and wisdom. This phrase concurs with The Golden Rule in that it too acknowledges the undeniable way in which, whether directly or indirectly, all things effect one another and are interrelated. In recognizing that yourself, at its root, is no different than any other self, it becomes easier to treat others with the same compassion, love, patience, generosity, and forgiveness that you too would hope to receive. Similar to the more popularized Hindu phrase “Namaste,” this greeting acknowledges the divine nature within another individual, as to say "I honor the place within you in which the entire universe dwells. I honor the place within you, which is of Love, of Truth, of Light and of Peace. When you are in that place within you and I am in that place within me, WE ARE ONE."

Compositionally arranged like a Venn diagram, the two central figures acknowledge one another with direct soul-to-soul contact in that common ground area where we are all the same; that place behind all external failures, successes, hardships, blessings, etc., where we are simply two souls, two human-beings on the journey of life. Spiraling out from one another, neither figure commands more or less significance or power, but rather they exist in a symbiotic state- manifesting the Golden Rule. Mimicking the entwined figures is a galaxy-like form, intended to suggest the universality of this concept, as well as the incomprehensible capacity for love and compassion one must strive to embody in order to live out this philosophy. Representing the physical realm where our apparent differences and diverse directions in life are observed, the outermost profiles face away from one another as to suggest a general disharmony at this level. It seems as though it’s only once we’ve transcended the superficial realm of the flesh that we begin to cultivate harmonious and altruistic relationships that embody the philosophy of “In Lak’ech Ala K’in.”