Donnalynn Chase

Spiritual Expression

• Pilgrims' Journey
• Messengers
• Wisdom Beings
• Deepening Practice

After purchasing a picture book on sea shells that was illustrated over a century ago, I felt a need to pair the shells with vintage Japanese postcards of statues from Buddhist temples. Why? No idea! Perhaps it was the black and white austerity of the postcards that required a colorful complement of shells? I just knew that they had to be together.

During the creation of this series, I researched the "meaning" of shells. Here are some interesting findings and thoughts on these mysterious sea treasures that were once a home to some creature:

• We speak of going into one’s shell;
• Allusion to hidden life or interior world;
• Christian art uses a scallop shell to represent the shores of Galicia, an important pilgrimage destination;
• Associated with birth and regeneration from water, such as Venus emerging from a shell; and
• Shell’s ridges and symmetrical patterns reminiscent of sacred spirals and labyrinths.

No wonder I intuitively paired shells with Bodhisattva and Spiritual Teacher figures. These wise people are dedicated to saving all beings and are the essence of awakening. They have all the attainments of a Buddha but stay in this world in order to help us on our journey to authenticity and enlightenment. To me, both the shells and wisdom beings are reminders to stay on my path to wholeness.