Incantations on view at Riverfront Art Gallery

 Riverfront Art Gallery Presents

‘When Color Is Not Enough'

Opening Saturday June 20th 2-5pm 
Exhibition Dates: June 20-Sept 26, 2026

Location:
Riverfront Art Gallery
 Yonkers Public Library, 1 Larkin Center 4th Floor, Yonkers, NY 10701

914-308-7072  •  thegallery@ypl.org  •  https://www.ypl.org

Excerpt from Incantations - M.Gilliland ©2025 - 3 channel video - 10:00 running time

view on vimeo

https://vimeo.com/1146248666

https://vimeo.com/markgilliland

Incantations

Incantations is a new three channel video piece (10:00 run time) that makes use of lots of the processed video clips I've been building up in the studio over the last year. In particular, it is based upon my favorite Prayer Wheel footage showing a close up of the rotating mantras on the wheel's surface. The very nature of the prayer wheel when intentionally rotated spreads its mantra (Tibetan glyphs on the wheel itself) outward, envisioned as a spiral flow of blessings into the environment at large. This is the underlying prayer incantation, often accompanied by ritual chanting or music.

A series of visual themes came into focus in roughly three groupings:

Maya - delusions of the world: Earth, Air, Fire, Water, Mind

Dharma - path & practice: Ritual, Mantra, Meditation

Karma - cycles of life: Death, Bardo, Rebirth, Redux

As I worked on a range of variations of these themes, I realized what would be really interesting would be to present the footage (set into a vertical aspect ratio as determined by the original prayer wheel footage) on a series of side-by-side vertical monitors. Thus, there could be simultaneous variations and visually repeat rhythms across the channels not possible on a single channel display. The basic presentation configuration is three HD display panels side-by-side, visually mimicking the way multiple prayer wheels are often mounted side-by-side in a temple compound so that a visiting perambulator can walk past the row of prayer wheels and simply activate (turn) each in turn. Although the digital displays don’t offer that level of hands-on interactivity, a complex meditational space can still be achieved.

In order to present the 3 channel video in this online context, I recorded all three simultaneously as one HD program. 

This program is too large file-wise and really deserves a higher definition encoding than provided by Blogger. So, please view the complete program on my Vimeo site:

Incantations - https://vimeo.com/1146248666

source Prayer Wheel image

Haiku 90 - Merkaba Yantra with Meditating Buddha

Haiku 90 - Merkaba Yantra Meditating Buddha (00:14)

Sample Haikus from Buddhaverse Variations ©2020-21

[Please turn on audio to hear chant] 

--- WATCH FULL SET OF HAIKUS AT HOME --- 

https://vimeo.com/showcase/7916179 

Select thumbnails to view on Vimeo Showcase page, or click thumbnail title (ex: v001) to watch & enable autoplay.

Haiku 77 - Prayer Wheel with Energy Emerging & Meditating Buddha Faces (3 panel)

Haiku 77 - Prayer Wheel with Energy Emerging & Meditating Buddha Faces (3 panel)   (00:18)

Sample Haikus from Buddhaverse Variations ©2020-21

[Please turn on audio to hear chant] 

--- WATCH FULL SET OF HAIKUS AT HOME --- 

https://vimeo.com/showcase/7916179 

Select thumbnails to view on Vimeo Showcase page, or click thumbnail title (ex: v001) to watch & enable autoplay.

Prayer Flags and Prayer Wheels - Haiku Variations

Haiku 60 - Prayer Flags and Prayer Wheel (00:19)

Haiku 61 - Prayer Flags and Prayer Wheel (00:19)

Haiku 62 - Prayer Flags and Prayer Wheel (00:19)

Haiku 63 - Prayer Flags and Prayer Wheel (00:19)

Sample Haikus from Buddhaverse Variations ©2020-21

[Please turn on audio to hear 'OM' mantra] 

--- WATCH FULL SET OF HAIKUS AT HOME --- 

https://vimeo.com/showcase/7916179 

Select thumbnails to view on Vimeo Showcase page, or click thumbnail title (ex: v001) to watch & enable autoplay.

Meditating Medicine Buddha in Golden Frame - 4 Haiku variations

 

Haiku 46 - Meditating Medicine Buddha in golden frame #5   (00:10)

Haiku 45 - Meditating Medicine Buddha in golden frame #4  (00:10)

Haiku 44 - Meditating Medicine Buddha in golden frame #3  (00:10)

Haiku 42 - Meditating Medicine Buddha in golden frame #1  (00:10)

Sample Haikus from Buddhaverse Variations ©2020-21

[Please turn on audio to hear 'OM' mantra] 

--- WATCH FULL SET OF HAIKUS AT HOME --- 

https://vimeo.com/showcase/7916179 

Select thumbnails to view on Vimeo Showcase page, or click thumbnail title (ex: v001) to watch & enable autoplay.

Buddhaverse Variations - Meditating Buddhas

 

Haiku 011 - Multi Buddha Crystal Field (00:22)

Haiku 013 - Meditating Buddha Face in Matrix (00:22)

Haiku 018 - Multi Meditating Buddhas in Matrix  (00:22)

Haiku 019 - Multi Meditating Buddhas with Water Ripples (00:22)

Sample Haikus from Buddhaverse Variations ©2020-21 

[Please turn on audio to hear chant soundtrack] 

--- WATCH FULL SET OF HAIKUS AT HOME --- 

https://vimeo.com/showcase/7916179 

Select thumbnails to view on Vimeo Showcase page, or click thumbnail title (ex: v001) to watch & enable autoplay.

Upstream Gallery 'NEW BEGINNINGS' 2022

My newest series of short video haikus (Buddhaverse Variations ©2020-21) is on view at the Upstream Gallery this month: 

Annual National Juried Small Works Exhibition

‘NEW BEGINNINGS’ 2022

January 6 thru January 30th, 2022

Location: 

8 Main Street, Hastings-on-Hudson, New York, 10706 

www.upstreamgallery.com 

Gallery Hours: 

Thursdays & Fridays: 12:30 - 5:30 pm

Saturdays: 10 am to 5:30 pm

Sundays: 12:30 - 5:30 pm

Self Portrait as Thai Medicine Buddha (00:15)

Use QR code to watch my newest set of short video animations entitled Buddhaverse Variations in my Vimeo Showcase.

https://vimeo.com/showcase/7916179

Online access to the complete set of 125 video haikus. Select thumbnails to view on Vimeo Showcase page, or click thumbnail title (ex: v001) to watch & enable autoplay.

Reflections upon Deep Dream Neural Netting

A recent post that caught my eye by Michael Mcamis on the FB page of the Psychedelic Salon. His questions / thoughts / reflections pretty much sum up the impact of these images - essential questions especially if you are an artist, neuroscientist, psychonaut, philosopher, Buddhist, or simply schizophrenic. Deep Dream imagery will change you forever. It's a blue pill.

After this new wave of googles neural network.. We have to start questioning things. 

Why does this look like DMT land or the LSD overlay? 

Are we really encountering beings? Going to strange lands? 

Our brain's are very magical. I am convinced that we can just see all the layers that it takes to create our world. When we are in altered states, we are in direct communication with our brain and anything it creates. 

[...]

We run simulations for EVERYTHING in our small super computer that is more powerful than all the computational power on the planet. It is capable of creating an entire universe just because you want to go to the store.

[...] 

You are indeed a dream within a dream...

[...] 

You never met god, you never seen an alien.. You have met yourself and have made up a simulation with aliens in it... It's just not real.

Although this outlook might seem Solipsistic in the extreme, it can serve as a reminder to always question question question our thoughts, our dreams, our experiences - especially those within altered states. If we do build our reality moment-by-moment within our heads, then surely we should strive to create one that is full of joy, wonder, curiosity, the unexpected. We should strive to be be respectful and compassionate to all beings, whether self-generated, imaginary or not.

Mudras

I've started to play around with various iPad graphics apps trying to see what might work for my imagery. I fell in love with 'Percolator.' I've been using it to create starry energy fields / auras around a figure, especially focused on CUs of the hands while in a meditation or yoga pose. Thus, the notion of the current MUDRA series.

I printed a number of them on this wacky silver 'holographic' paper which creates an interesting low-fi visual where black prints clearly but any color becomes a shimmery coat over the silver sparkle, seen best as certain angles. Well, I can't reproduce the effect directly via .jpgs. These have to be seen in person. (They are being shown in 'Photography Takes Over 2014' at the Upstream Gallery in Hastings-on-Hudson - opening Sunday Feb. 2, 2-5pm.)

I have included a few of the 'base' images below (on white background).

And here is a colorful variant on one of these that I particularly like:

Green Tara Visualization

It's taken me quite a bit of time to finish this series of images for the Tara Self-generation visualization practice. (I took the empowerment over a year ago...) In order to simply present the sequence, I decided to put together a gif animation combining the images with associated textual instructions.

The sequence is based upon my notes from the original empowerment ceremony as well as study of the booklet "The Yoga of Enlightened Mother Arya Tara" from Tharpa Publications. The images present the core sequence - including a "no self" meditation practice at the end, but excluding the ceremony's typical framing prayers and offerings.

Green Tara Visualization

Guidelines for the Path

"Do not put your faith in traditions, even though they have been accepted for long generations and in many countries. Do not believe a thing because many repeat it. Do not accept a thing on the authority of one or another of the sages of old, nor on the grounds of statements as found in the books. Never believe anything because probability is in its favor. Do not believe in that which you yourself have imagined, thinking that a god has inspired it. Believe nothing merely on the authority of teachers or priests. After examination, believe that which you have tested for yourself and found reasonable, which is in conformity with your well being and that of others." Kalama Sutta - Buddha

Divine Changemakers: Maximize the 11/11 Gateway

the following came as part of Selacia's Council of 12 Message e-newsletter:  

You as a divine changemaker are alive now to do great things that could not have been done before. These things are not ordinary; they can only be done by someone with an extraordinary mindset and a light-filled consciousness.

To do something outside of the conventional norm involves courage, persistence, and taking action on what you say you believe in. Divine changemakers learn to do this. You are learning to do this, despite the world's chaos and uncertainty.

At the core of your being, you are not uncertain. You trust that you are guided each step of the way.

You are being guided right now, as you read these words, to prepare for and take advantage of key energetic gateways occurring during Earth's pivotal years. One of those gateways occurs this Friday on 11/11. On that date a unique gateway will be available, providing a beneficial opening of expanded potential and divine grace. The spiritual energies of such gateways cannot be measured with a linear yardstick - they are vast and boundless. Possibilities for shifting your life into a higher frequency are greatly magnified.

How can you maximize the potency of the 11/11 gateway?

First, become conscious that the gateway energies exist, staying present in your life in the days leading up to and following a gateway opening. If you're not already feeling it, the energies impacting you and everyone you love are getting more potent this week with the full moon Thursday and the 11/11 gateway opening Friday. You may experience these energies in a number of ways - expansion, intensity, fluctuation, uncertainty, sensitivity, or joy. Knowing what's in store helps you to stay on track and in your center.

Second, let go of agendas and expectations. Simply invite a connection with the beneficial energies and be open to receive them.

Third, if possible gather on 11/11 with a group of like-minded people focused on spiritual transformation. The group configuration and your intent to connect with spiritual openings is the key.

Fourth, don't be concerned about where you stand in relation to others, what kind of progress you have made since the last gateway, or how achievable your ascension is. It is pointless to worry that you haven't done enough in the past. Be present now. Invite your higher wisdom to show you what's most appropriate to focus on and take action on that. This is how you create powerfully, regardless of whether you're experiencing a gateway or another energy.  

Fifth, remember that you live in a very potent time. An energy of awakening is building and there are gateways like 11/11 allowing quantum shifting. No matter what day it is, don't wait to do the amazing things only you can do. Don't wait to offer your help to others who need what you can give. Don't wait to shine your beautiful light. The time is now.

As you continue the journey of discovering your divine nature, we surround you with our love and blessings. We are The Council of 12.

Copyright 2011 by Selacia * All Rights Reserved 

Sacred Art Book Available

Prajnaparamita Beauty Way Mandala

I have just created a prototype book of my sacred art images (thangkas and mandalas) which includes commentary, visualizations, prayers and biographical information. The book is a large format 11" x 13" 50 page hardcover titled "Beauty Way" which I created using Apple's iPhoto self-publishing tools. I am currently in the process of investigating other lower cost print-on-demand publishing services and ones which may allow an electronic iBook or iPad app option. Stay tuned!

For more information or to share ideas concerning book publishers, please email me.

BARDO - Awakening from the Dream

A short overview of the importance and meaning of Bardo. "Life is a training for death." 

The Magic of the Spirit Realm

I periodically meditate on the issue of iconography (physical/visual form) and how this relates to the Buddhist notion that everything is MIND, everything is ONE (and so forth) according to deepest Buddhist teachings. Within these traditions, there is an understanding of the surface (apparent) truth and of deeper (hidden) esoteric truths. In the case of a figure such as Tara, she is seen as a female embodiment of the Buddha. Of course, ultimately, there is only one Buddha MIND such that everything is encompassed. To speak of Tara as a differentiated figure is thus somewhat misleading. Although she presents herself that way to the practitioner/meditator, deep down, it's all mind energy of the ONE (voidness)... Likewise, when the Buddhist teaching of death and rebirth are examined, the Bardo teachings, it is explicitly said that what you experience after death is based upon your expectations. The demons and protectors of the Bardo realm are a mental construct. Self projection of the mind's delusions.

Read more ->

Everything is Energy, Everything is Power

The number one Cosmic Law is that everything is Energy, Everything is Power and all that exist in this world are made up of that Power. It comes in all forms, in plants and animals, in people you meet and people you work with, it can be people who irritate you and cause trouble in your world - it can be family, children, lovers, and it should always be first and foremost, yourself.

FEEL YOUR ETERNAL GOD PRESENCE RESTING IN YOUR HEART
LOOK AT EVERYONE YOU ENCOUNTER THROUGHOUT YOUR DAY AS A FORM OF GOD PLAYING WITH YOU
GIVE YOUR BLESSING TO EACH PERSON YOU MEET THROUGHOUT THE DAY
GIVE THAT BLESSING A FORM, A SMILE, A GREETING, A FEW EXTRA MINUTES OF YOUR TIME
NOTICE THAT LOVE AND FEAR CAN NOT LIVE IN YOUR HEART AT THE SAME TIME
ENJOY THIS FEELING

from Mary Pompeo' blog.

TROPOZONE "Maharaji's Dream" Video Art - visual meditation

The Waters of the Gulf

Here are three images of healing and protecting deities: White Tara, Medicine Buddha and Mahakala. Each of these figures float above the Gulf. The cyclone clouds below represent multi-dimensional cleansing energies (not destructive energies as in a hurricane). Along with each figure appears a healing mantra to be recited while meditating on the desired purification of the waters. Please share and circulate these images and mantras.

Medicine Buddha

Om Bekandze Bekandze
Maha Bekandze
Radza Samudgate Soha

White Tara

Om Tara Tutara Ture Soha

Mahakala

Om Shri Ma Hakala Hung Phat

Chords of Light

I received this newsletter and the image of the rainbow cords of light made me think of the Prajnaparamita visualization - or of the full Tara Jewel Tree visualization...

Receiving Assistance from the Star Elders and Pleiadians
March 18, 2010 - A Message received in the Palace Courtyard in Palenque

The following is the first message that we received in the sacred site of Palenque 3/18, 2010. You can find other messages our website at www.alunajoy.com under the link titled "articles". We are sharing this message here with you just as we received it, in present time, with very little editing. We do this for a very important reason. We know the messages that we receive are not just for our groups, but are for humanity. So as you read this, just imagine that you were there with us... the Masters and Star Elders assure me that the message and the corresponding energy will be transmitted to you. You might want to imagine that you are sitting with us in Palenque (you can use this PHOTO for visual help):

We were standing in a circle inside the palace courtyard of Palenque… this is what I saw…

I see chords of light radiating out of the heart centers of everybody in this circle (and those reading this) and merging into a large beam of light in the center. So these chords of light are connecting all of our hearts to this huge beam of light. When they let me look where this beam of light is going out to, I see that it is going to the Pleiades. I am receive a instant feeling back from this area of our galaxy… from the ones watching us here right now. It feels like a really deep sense of gratitude, an appreciation that we are here with this intent, an appreciation for our focus, and our heart's calling to be of service to the earth. It is clear to me that they are our family. I know a lot of you in this circle (and those reading this) already feel this, but I don't see a single thread coming from any heart that is not connected to this place in the sky that the Star Elders came from, the Pleiades.

The Star Elders and Pleiadians are sending us a feeling of thankfulness that we are here because it took courage for us to come here. This reality is dense, it operates in linear time and has gravity. This world we live in is operating from a geometry, chemistry, and laws of nature that is not natural to who we originally are. This is why, even from a young age, we felt a little different from everybody else. We felt like our family was not our family. We felt like outsiders, because we actually are. We came here to anchor our beautiful energy to the Earth. Many of our ancestors had to leave because it was too dangerous for them to stay here. When this happened nearly all the rest of us went to sleep for awhile because it was too dangerous for us to stay awake. But there were little alarm clocks that began to go off, and with each alarm clock that went off, you began to remember again that you felt out of place, that you didn't belong here, that you were from somewhere else, and it made you start searching. These feeling taught you to be compassionate to people that didn't have the same opportunities as you, that had less than you, that felt like outsiders in other ways.

So our alarm clocks are going off in us, because it is safe for us to be here now. It is safe for us to have the knowledge and the wisdom that we went to sleep to protect. It is safe for us to be here, because the world is ready for what we have to offer. The collective consciousness is ready to wake up and to move into a new reality. There is enough awakening people now on Earth to create a tsunami that can't be stopped. It is a process that is already on its way.

The Star Elders and Pleiadians say that we stayed behind because we were the ones that had the most courage. We forgot how challenging day to day in 3D world could be, but yet we are still here. We are still standing up, we are still walking, we are still traveling, we are still talking, we are still writing, we are still doing our art, we are still doing our music, we are still finding ways to express what is deep in our hearts, and the world is ready for it now.

Excerpt from enewsletter by Aluna Joy. To read this mnewsletter in full, go to: http://www.kachina.net/~alunajoy/news04-2010-2.html

Copyright Aluna Joy - aluna@alunajoy.com - website: www.AlunaJoy.com