From Ashes We Rise
There’s something deeply human about vulnerability—a feeling we all encounter at various stages in life. It’s raw, uncomfortable, and often makes us feel exposed. Yet, there’s a hidden power in that very state. My latest painting, "From Ashes We Rise", captures the delicate balance between the fragility of vulnerability and the strength that emerges when we embrace it. When you look at the piece, you can almost feel the weight of vulnerability, but at the same time, you can sense a transformative healing energy emanating from it—a sign that something beautiful is born through this process.
The inspiration for this painting came from the universal human experience of confronting challenges and rising from them, much like the mythical phoenix that rises from the ashes. At first glance, the figure in the painting may seem to be in a fragile state, but there’s more beneath the surface. A healing energy radiates through, representing the strength and growth that follows adversity. It’s about going through difficult times, learning the necessary lessons, and emerging not only whole but stronger, evolved, and more aware.
As Mantak Chia wisely states, “Emotions are energy in motion, and like water, they need to flow, transform, and be purified” (Chia, M. "The Healing Energy of Shared Consciousness: A Taoist Approach to Entering the Universal Mind", Destiny Books, 2011, p. 53). This transformation through vulnerability isn’t just about surviving hardships—it's about allowing ourselves to flow through the challenges, understanding that through these moments of emotional motion, we evolve.
In life, we all face moments that feel overwhelming—moments where the weight of hardship threatens to crush us. But what we often forget in these times is that vulnerability, while it may feel like weakness, is a gateway to strength. It’s in these moments that we learn the most about ourselves. The cracks that appear in the face of vulnerability are where the light gets in, where healing begins.
"From Ashes We Rise" isn’t just a visual representation of this process—it’s an emotional one. When you stand in front of the painting, you’re invited to reflect on your own journey, on the times you’ve felt broken or defeated. And yet, the message of the painting is one of hope: from the ashes of vulnerability, we rise, transformed and renewed.
The transformation isn’t just a personal one; it’s part of the shared human experience. We all fall, we all struggle, and we all have the capacity to rise again. The process of falling apart and coming back together is cyclical, and through each cycle, we evolve. We learn to take something positive from the negative, to find strength in the very things that made us feel vulnerable.
The healing energy present in the painting reminds us that vulnerability is not the end—it’s the beginning of something new. It’s a reminder that no matter how challenging the situation, there’s always the possibility for growth and renewal. In the end, we don’t just survive our challenges; we rise above them, reborn with a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us.
So, as you view "From Ashes We Rise", take a moment to reflect on your own journey. How have your experiences of vulnerability shaped you? What lessons have you learned from the challenges you've faced? And most importantly, how have you risen from your own ashes, transformed and renewed?
Love, peace & light,
Nina Lukisa
Chia, M. (2011). *The Healing Energy of Shared Consciousness: A Taoist Approach to Entering the Universal Mind*. Destiny Books, p. 53.
There’s something deeply human about vulnerability—a feeling we all encounter at various stages in life. It’s raw, uncomfortable, and often makes us feel exposed. Yet, there’s a hidden power in that very state. My latest painting, "From Ashes We Rise", captures the delicate balance between the fragility of vulnerability and the strength that emerges when we embrace it. When you look at the piece, you can almost feel the weight of vulnerability, but at the same time, you can sense a transformative healing energy emanating from it—a sign that something beautiful is born through this process.
The inspiration for this painting came from the universal human experience of confronting challenges and rising from them, much like the mythical phoenix that rises from the ashes. At first glance, the figure in the painting may seem to be in a fragile state, but there’s more beneath the surface. A healing energy radiates through, representing the strength and growth that follows adversity. It’s about going through difficult times, learning the necessary lessons, and emerging not only whole but stronger, evolved, and more aware.
As Mantak Chia wisely states, “Emotions are energy in motion, and like water, they need to flow, transform, and be purified” (Chia, M. "The Healing Energy of Shared Consciousness: A Taoist Approach to Entering the Universal Mind", Destiny Books, 2011, p. 53). This transformation through vulnerability isn’t just about surviving hardships—it's about allowing ourselves to flow through the challenges, understanding that through these moments of emotional motion, we evolve.
In life, we all face moments that feel overwhelming—moments where the weight of hardship threatens to crush us. But what we often forget in these times is that vulnerability, while it may feel like weakness, is a gateway to strength. It’s in these moments that we learn the most about ourselves. The cracks that appear in the face of vulnerability are where the light gets in, where healing begins.
"From Ashes We Rise" isn’t just a visual representation of this process—it’s an emotional one. When you stand in front of the painting, you’re invited to reflect on your own journey, on the times you’ve felt broken or defeated. And yet, the message of the painting is one of hope: from the ashes of vulnerability, we rise, transformed and renewed.
The transformation isn’t just a personal one; it’s part of the shared human experience. We all fall, we all struggle, and we all have the capacity to rise again. The process of falling apart and coming back together is cyclical, and through each cycle, we evolve. We learn to take something positive from the negative, to find strength in the very things that made us feel vulnerable.
The healing energy present in the painting reminds us that vulnerability is not the end—it’s the beginning of something new. It’s a reminder that no matter how challenging the situation, there’s always the possibility for growth and renewal. In the end, we don’t just survive our challenges; we rise above them, reborn with a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us.
So, as you view "From Ashes We Rise", take a moment to reflect on your own journey. How have your experiences of vulnerability shaped you? What lessons have you learned from the challenges you've faced? And most importantly, how have you risen from your own ashes, transformed and renewed?
Love, peace & light,
Nina Lukisa
Chia, M. (2011). *The Healing Energy of Shared Consciousness: A Taoist Approach to Entering the Universal Mind*. Destiny Books, p. 53.
