It took me years before I would use mantra on my jewelry. It seemed sacreligious. The funny thing is that, for a long time, I thought religion was a bad word. It meant dogmatic thinking and narowmindedness. I have changed my views. I find religion, especially Buddhism, a treasure, a rare gem. I still think that dogmatic thinking and narrow mindedness are not beneficial. But I have found that the Buddhist religion is a system that offers me a way to change my habits to a much more healthy way of existing. Ultimately Buddhism suggests that we can become Buddhas. Among other things Buddhas are beings who know exactly how to help any given individual. That would be nice, eh? But short of the ultimate, becoming a Buddha, Buddhism is still helpful. It has made me more patient, thoughtful, generous, calmer, happier, joyous. This is an obvious improvement.

Because I was involved with Buddhism I naturally wanted to integrate it into my work. I just didn't like the thought of people putting thier necklace or earrings in piles with other stuff when they took it off. Somehow treating it like everything else seemed to go against the idea of imbuing an item with a feeling of sacredness.

I also thought I needed to separate my business thoughts from my spiritual thoughts, as if they could be separated. Clearly business and sprituality can be distinguished in thought. But, in truth, my mind is present in all my activities. If I can bring the qualities I value into every action I take, I think I am embodying the Buddhist ideals in a more wholistic manner.

These symbols stem from a system that is not my native one. I am an American, not a TIbetan. To take the step of using these in my work, I felt the need to ask a lama, a teacher in the tradition, how he felt about the use of them in my work.

Khamtrul RInpoche (see picture at the top of the page) a lama I deeply respect in the Nyingma Dzogchen lineage, responded to my querry thus:

"There is something called liberation through seeing. It is good that people see these symbols. As long as you are making a reasonable living, not gouging people it is ok to use them in your work. It is good."

So it is with these ideas that I happily make these items. When I create them I take to mind what they mean, try to generate some deep level of feeling associated with those thoughts, and then make the strike. I Imagine when when people see these pieces they will be associated with the goodness that the pieces represent.