Embracing death with a smile

$ 4,500.00

Size: 60x100cm 2x3ft

Master weaver: Perfecto Bautista Martínez

Price: $4,500 MXN pesos.

Variant 1 available, other variants available upon request.

Materials and methods: criollo sheep wool hand dyed with colorfast aniline dyes in an exhautive bath. Handwoven on a Zapotec style loom of the 16th century adapted from European styles. Woven using a 7 threads per inch reed and wool rayon blend for warp.

Patterns and symbols:

This rug depicts the energy lines of perception; I think if them as waves in the electromagnetic spectrum. Out ancestors saw that we are an energy field made of many filaments of energy, when we are born, we use a bundle of energy lines as our default setting (the visible light spectrum?). However, through shamanic techniques we can learn to perceive the world more plainly as it is; without the minds judgement. Perceiving the energy flows of the world allows us to understand natural phenomena in a more precise way; we can "talk to plants" ancestors or animals to get further insight into a problem, we can analyze the past or foresee the future without limitations of our current world view. When we train our perception to be fluid and free flowing, we can tap into the energy lines that connect every living being into the code of life. Perceiving life in this way grants us access to the world of molecules and atoms that shape our reality and shamans can then use their power of intent to shape and change such energy flows to heal patients.

The smile pattern remind us that smiling and laughing are the source of true healing and our attitude towards healing is a big part of the process. Our ancestors wrote that in the flowering battle of the spirit our only tools are poetry, art, laughing and smiling. To embrace death with a smile is the ultimate act of courage of a life well lived.