Add a Little Shri

By Eliza Lynn Tobin of Art Asana

In yoga, the term "shri" means beauty and refers to the divine beauty within all things, including ourselves. This time of year is all about seeing the beauty in things and in others. We make beauty by lighting candles, cooking, crafting and decorating for the holidays. We share beauty when we offer meaningful gifts to others. We see beauty in the first few snowflakes that hit the ground, in twinkling lights of shop windows, in evergreens, berries and in the tendrils of steam off a hot mug of tea.

This time of year reminds us how to cultivate, create and see more beauty in the world around us.

I love things that remind me to look for the beauty, to look for the Shri. So this year, I decided to create these pendant necklaces from my original painting designs as a way to share more shri with the world. Each pendant encapsulates the idea and energy of the original painting and can be worn year round as a small reminder of beauty, of "shri". It was my intention that each one would add a little light and shri to the wearer, who already possesses this kind of natural beauty within.

{Bloom Necklace~ This necklace was created from a delicate and tiny print of my original painting, “Bloom”. It embodies the idea that as we step more into the space of light, we can allow more holding space for the dark. Do the best you can to appreciate the budding as much as the bloom.}

{Evolve Necklace~This necklace was created from a delicate and tiny print of my original painting, “Evolve Mandala”. A mandala is a circle representing sacred space and this mandala is inspired by the idea that we are ever evolving and becoming each day anew. When we embrace our changes rather than struggle against them, we step into the flow of the sacred circle of life.}

{Infusion Necklace~This necklace was created from a delicate and tiny print of my original painting, “Infusion Mandala”. This mandala (sacred circle) is infused with blue, purple, and turquoise, punctuated by a brilliant pink. To me, it feels like the deliberate calm of a sunset, like the sun infusing itself into the horizon in solstice celebration, like the infusion of love-energy flowing between earth and sun.}

{Root Affirm Necklace~ This necklace was created from a delicate and tiny print of my original painting, “Root Affirm”. The painting in this piece was inspired by the centering effect of repeating affirmations for the Root Chakra. Affirmations like, "I accept myself as I am", "I choose life", "I belong here" "I am cultivating a supportive structure", "Wherever I go, I belong."}

You can find these necklaces along with many other beautiful gifts for those on your list this holiday at the Boston Handmade Downtown Holiday Gallery! Add a little more shri to lives of those you love!