Ekabhumi Charles Ellik
Ekabhumi Charles Ellik is an artist, poet, student, and teacher of
classical hatha yoga who lives in the San Francisco Bay Area. His
diverse work includes The Shakti Coloring Book, as well as 20
original illustrations created for Sally Kempton’s Awakening
Shakti. For more, visit ekabhumi.com.
"This book is deep fun--inspirational and informative. We love it!"
--Deva Premal and Miten, musicians and international recording
artists "Once again, Ekabhumi has birthed a treasure for all ages,
providing an accessible way to realize the power of yogic art to
transform consciousness from the heart of the bhakti tradition.
These interactive visual meditations and illuminating descriptions
are a profound portal of discovery for the both beginner and
longtime seeker." --Shiva Rea, founder of Prana Vinyasa & Samudra
Global School for Living Yoga, author of Tending the Heart Fire
"Respectfully authentic, visually attractive, wholeheartedly
devotional. I cannot think of a better way for kids and adults to
learn what the deities and yantras truly represent." --Nicolai
Bachman, author of The Language of Yoga "Such beauty! This book is
a beckoning to the heart of devotional practice. It is an
invitation to slow down and be present as you sit with these
glorious images. Read the luminous descriptions of their particular
sacred transmission. Offer the colors that best reflect your living
relationship to the divine realities they represent. Meet the
Beloved through art, and allow yourself to be transformed by the
encounter." --Mirabai Starr, author of God of Love: A Guide to the
Heart of Judaism, Christianity and Islam and Caravan of No Despair:
A Memoir of Loss and Transformation "Ekabhumi's new Bhakti Coloring
Book is a literal feast for the senses! He helps us elevate
art-making to a spiritual practice. Through his generous and direct
instructions, Ekabhumi leads us into a creativity that brings
greater awareness. He's also created a beautiful and accessible
guide to many of the gods and goddesses in the Hindu pantheon,
helping us recognize the divine within ourselves. This book is also
super fun! You'll be excited to hold it in your hands, and bring
your paints and markers onto its pages. You will love it!" --Lauren
Walker, author of Energy Medicine Yoga and The Energy Medicine Yoga
Prescription "As an authentic working manual on the deities and
sacred imagery of Hindu devotional art, The Bhakti Coloring Book is
truly a product of much time, knowledge, skill, and love. In an
accessible manner, the artist introduces the viewer to this deeply
symbolic art, which makes it far more transformative and meaningful
than the many 'spiritual' or 'mindful' titled coloring books of
recent years." --Robert Beer, author and illustrator of The
Encyclopedia of Tibetan Symbols and Motifs and Buddhist Art
Coloring Books 1 and 2 "'Exquisite' is perhaps the most apt term to
describe this beautiful offering by Ekabhumi Charles Ellik. Not
only does this descriptor apply to the lovingly crafted works of
sacred art filling the book, each of which begs to be blessed with
the colorations of the reader, but to the level of knowledge and
care that goes into the written description of each. Ekabhumi has
shown time and again that he is steeped in the traditional
knowledge of the sacred world he inhabits. Additionally, Ekabhumi
again demonstrates that his ability to transmit this information
clearly, and enjoyably to the reader, is of the highest caliber.
Simply put, this book is a joy to read, and a pleasure to open
oneself to artistically. As one pours color into the book, it will
pour bliss and wisdom into the reader." --St�phane Dreyfus,
international yoga instructor "As with his Shakti Coloring Book,
Charles offers up an exquisite combination of esthetic pleasure,
spiritual education and contemplative experience. The book, with
its sumptuous illustrations, is sure to open hearts, as bhakti is
intended to do." --Philip Goldberg, author of American Veda: From
Emerson and the Beatles to Yoga and Meditation, How Indian
Spirituality Changed the West "I learned so much from this book! It
is clear that Ekabhumi has a lot of concern about sending the right
information and taking care that the reader learns to respect it as
well. As a professional Thangka painter, I feel it is important
that those of us who make traditional spiritual icons give all that
is necessary to preserve a type of art that we didn't create. It is
a wisdom tradition, which depends on its artists to keep authentic
even in a rushed and capitalist world. Of course, people can make
art the way their hearts feel like! But this is a very objective
art: it has the principle of connecting one to the divine. It has a
structure and an intention, and the one who wants to follow this
path should trust and follow what the ancient masters have
attained. I think this aspect is the most precious of this book.
Even if people say 'make it simple, ' the author finds the language
to translate the meaning without missing the point." --Tiffani
Gyatso, artist and art instructor, Brazil "This book invites us
into our right brain, our nonlinear side, as a means of connecting
with, experiencing, embodying, and resonating with the rich
culture, myths, and inspiration available through these deities and
the tradition. Such a lovely break from the busyness of
twenty-first-century living" --Elizabeth DiAlto, author of Untame
Yourself, host of the Untame the Wild Soul podcast, creator of Wild
Soul Movement "Wonderful! This artistic tribute to Spirit draws
your heart to all-encompassing love. Color to your soul's delight!"
--Linda Johnsen, MS, author of Lost Masters: Rediscovering the
Mysticism of the Ancient Greek Philosophers "In these times of
political upheaval and economic havoc, contemplating the nature of
reality is an antidote to the selfishness of consumerism. These
delightful drawings, inspired by traditional icons, are like facets
on the jewel of truth that lies at the heart of all wisdom
traditions. This book is both a description of bhakti as well as an
inspiring expression of bhakti in the form of sacred art." --Baba
Rampuri, Sri Mahant, Naga Sanyassi of Juna Akhara, founder of Hari
Puri Ashram, author of Autobiography of a Sadhu: A Journey into
Mystic India "Ekabhumi draws us into the mystical experience of the
divine through his masterful representations of his Bhakti Coloring
Book. His inspiration of the deities and mandalas unfold as a
deeply moving spiritual journey through the art of playful
meditation. Divining through his powerful drawings, we release
healing intentions into the cosmic universe!" --Yogini Shambhavi
Devi, author of Yogic Secrets of the Dark Goddess and co-director
of the American Institute for Vedic Studies "Bravo! It's rare to
find a book with both colorful and imaginative content and
authentic wisdom. The Bhakti Coloring Book is much more than just a
coloring book. It's a journey into the deep traditions of bhakti
and tantra yoga--an opportunity to explore beloved Hindu deities
and their corresponding mantras, yantras, and mandalas in a playful
and creative way.
"If you've always wanted to know more about the Hindu gods and
wondered how they are used as symbolic tools for empowerment, then
this book will inspire and guide you with complete grace and
devotion.
"It's also a divinatory tool. Just randomly opening to a particular
page I found the message for that particular deity immediately
resonated with a situation that needed resolving in my own life. I
loved the contemplation offering for each deity too because it gave
me concrete tools to work through particular issues and archetypal
themes.
"Another endearing aspect is the variety of ways one can work with
the yantras. You can choose to be playful, evoking the lighter
aspect of the prescribed deity, or be more formal in your approach,
literally invoking its most powerful qualities. This makes the book
accessible to all ages and levels of interest.
"This book is also perfect for devotional yogis wanting to deepen
their knowledge of bhakti yoga. From reading the stories of each
deity to chanting their mantras, visualising and then coloring in
their yantras, each section is a carefully constructed ritual to
give the reader the sense that they are not just coloring in lines,
but participating in a sacred act.
"And for those wanting to know more about the essence of bhakti and
how to practice it as sacred art, Ekabhumi draws from his own
wealth of experience as well as elucidating how we can express our
devotional heart.
"I absolutely loved this book, its beautiful artwork, and healing
message! Thank you, Ekabhumi, for your pure dedication to bring
this blessed work to light!" --Rachel Zinman, author of Yoga for
Diabetes: How to Manage Your Health with Yoga and Ayurveda, global
yoga teacher, and yantra artist "Ekabhumi's artwork is a constant
source of inspiration around our home. From framed paintings to
coloring book pages, his work reconnects us on a daily basis to
both the Divine and to our own inherent creative spark. We can't
wait for his next coloring book!" --Jai Uttal, Grammy(R)-nominated
devotional singer of Roots, Rock, Rama! ""The Bhakti Coloring Book
is a beautiful offering of art, knowledge, and Eastern
spirituality. It is a coloring book for all ages, a meditation
tool, a manual on sacred art, and an inspirational guide for any
one seeking to learn about the goddesses, gods, and poet yoginis of
the Hindu Bhakti tradition. This book is rich in wisdom and insight
into a millennia-old tradition of devotion as expressed through
creativity, divinities, and meditation that can serve to bring more
peace, harmony, and balance into our lives." --Laura Amazzone, MA,
teacher, yogini, and author of Goddess Durga and Sacred Female
Power "Such a sublime offering this is, leading us across the
threshold into the heart-centered devotional world of embodied
bhakti yoga. While The Shakti Coloring Book is a much-loved guide
to the esoteric world of the divine feminine, The Bhakti Coloring
Book is meant to engage us at any stage of the path, showing us a
way to access the heart of devotion by applying our eyes and hands
and voice to enliven the sacred art included in this book. Relevant
for children, artists, devotees, and sadhakas, engagement with The
Bhakti Coloring Book will bring hours of pleasure, insight, and
even transformation. With suggestions for colors and mantras to use
while contemplating the various forms of the divine, this will be a
valuable and enjoyable resource to connect with Bhakti Yoga and for
supporting deeper embodied connection on the spiritual path. Jai!"
--Aditi Devi Ma, wandering yogini and author of In Praise of Adya
Kali: Approaching the Primordial Dark Goddess Through the Song of
Her Hundred Names "In Kathmandu, we honor both Buddhist and Hindu
gods, so we know that the ancient traditional art is similar for
both religions. The information given by Ekabhumi is useful to
anyone who loves Himalayan art or wishes to walk the spiritual path
of bhakti. His first book is very popular with my customers, who
want to know more of the symbolism of these complex images.
Coloring the icons is an easy way to meditate on dharmic teachings,
and even my children enjoyed it." --Anil Thapa, owner of Lumbini
Buddhist Art Galleries of Kathmandu, Nepal, and Berkeley,
California. "At first glance Ekabhumi Charles Ellik's coloring book
offers us an intriguing introduction to many of the beloved deities
of the Hindu tradition. Yet as we engage on a creative level
through mindful coloring and guided contemplations, this work also
skillfully and playfully introduces us to our own inner energies of
divinity. As our experience of these energies awaken and become
more familiar, we can call on the wisdom they offer in our everyday
life. As bhakti practices are often enjoyed in communal gatherings,
I have used Ekabhumi's previous book in coloring sessions with
fellow practitioners and heartily encourage groups to gather and
witness the inspiration and awe that can arise." --Cindy Lee,
teacher of dharma, meditation, and yoga philosophy; artist,
designer and musician. "The Bhakti Coloring Book is an incredible
resource for anyone who is curious or interested in Indian
mythology, philosophy, or bhakti yoga. Ekabhumi's descriptions of
the various deities and what they represent are insightful and
articulate, and the portraits and yantras that accompany each of
the deities are beautiful and stunning to look at. I cannot wait to
try my hand at coloring these beautiful works of art! I have long
been a fan of his previous book, The Shakti Coloring Book, and I
recommend it in both my classes and trainings in Austin, TX and
Lafayette, LA. I am excited to share this new book with them as
well.
"Ekabhumi does not disappoint with his latest book, filled with
beautiful artwork that engages the senses and awakens a deeper
connection to the Divine in ALL its stunningly beautiful forms!"
--Ana Pilar Cruz, E-RYT500, yoga teacher trainer, tantrika, mother
"The Bhakti Coloring Book serves as an important resource for
myself and my teaching. My students use the book as part of their
ongoing explorations, and we frequently make coloring part of their
devotional practices. Personally, the coloring provides me with a
beautiful meditative practice, something I greatly enjoy on my long
flights." --Michaela Boehm, tantric lineage holder and
international workshop teacher "This second coloring book is
another jewel, centered by Ekabhumi's rare talent to make the
mystical art of the Indian subcontinent clearer and more
understandable to the inquisitive Western mind. What a visual
delight and introduction for the novice to the budding artists of
the Western hemisphere. Let our minds be open to the shapes, gods
and goddesses, yantras and mandalas; and be guided by the discovery
and sheer delight of the endless miracles and expressions of the
human mind." --Andy Weber, worldwide recognized artist and lecturer
of Tibetan iconography "Ekabhumi's artistic mastery and depth of
understanding bring a clarity to the material that will no doubt
inspire both novice and adept alike. His work finds a way to be
both accessible and easy to understand for those unfamiliar with
these images, at the same time adding layers of depth for those who
have spent a lifetime with them. So much more than just a coloring
book, this book provides insights and pathways of understanding in
one's spiritual practice and daily life. It's also just downright
fun." --Ashton Szabo, yoga and meditation teacher, host of the
Anatomy of Living podcast "In The Bhakti Coloring Book, Ekabhumi
Charles Ellik has once again distilled the history of Hindu
iconography and made it accessible though the joyful play of art.
Pairing reverent illustrations of deities with stories, commentary,
sacred geometry, and exercises for self-inquiry, Ekabhumi entreats
us to engage a tradition beyond the image itself--and when we do,
we become an indelible part of that tradition. This book is a
must-have for students of yoga and meditation, but it is also sure
to be a favorite with those simply looking for a means of
expression, including children. What you hold in your hands is much
more than a coloring book; it is an invitation to create
meditative, sacred space that can enrich the experience of yoga
practitioners, students of yogic philosophy, and curious artists
alike. I can think of no better artist to bring the yoga of
sweetness and devotion to life." --Susan Somers-Willett, PhD,
RYT-500 "We are in need of the meditative arts now more than ever.
We live bound to screens of all sizes that keep us aroused,
alarmed, angry. A decade into the exhausting extroversion of the
social networking revolution, surprising new forms of meaningful
introversion are emerging. The Bhakti Coloring Book is the richest
of these new cultural products. Vivid drawings of Shiva, Vishnu,
Saraswati and other gods based on famous prototypes--along with
famous yantras used in esoteric Tantrik rituals--invite your
colored pencils or felt-tip pens. But it is more than coloring,
satisfying and strangely meditative as that has proved to be for
overextended moderns recovering lost joys of childhood. The book
suggests a way to make coloring a spiritual practice. Pick an
auspicious time--say, sunrise? Purify your body, tools, and space
with rosewater or incense. Invoke a reverent mood. Visualize the
deity as a living being, or recite the invocation for that image.
Direct the energy of your emotions toward the divine principle that
deity represents. This well-researched and masterful book brings
together mind and body in playful meditation. A side effect will be
learning a great deal about the Hindu bhakti tradition." --Carolyn
Brown Heinz, emerita professor of anthropology, California State
University, Chico "Can a coloring book also serve as sacred ritual?
Can playfully interacting with divine illustration actually deepen
compassion, deliver authentic joy, and maybe--just maybe--bring
about real transformation? You're holding the answer right now.
"This is where delight meets devotion. It's where creative
expression dances with authentic spiritual practice on the tips of
108 brightly colored pencils, and all the gods did shimmy.
"Here is my prediction: It will be downright impossible for anyone
to spend quality time vivifying Ekabhumi's enchanting illustrations
and not come away just a little bit wiser, more awake, eyes
sparkling and heart expanded. Grab your most beloved colors and set
your intention just so; the gods await." --Mark Morford, author of
The Daring Spectacle, columnist for the San Francisco Chronicle,
expert yoga instructor "A sacred attitude towards all life is
cultivated in Indic culture through viewing its myriad aspects as
divinities. The individual relates to these deities through rituals
of devotion repeated in a variety of ways and circumstances. The
Bhakti Coloring Book is a wonderful means for opening the doors to
this attitude. Ekabhumi's introduction to the deities of India
helps to enhance contemplation and build a devotional relationship
to these myriad aspects of life, while his beautiful illustrations
in fidelity to various regional traditions, and his guidance in
color symbolism, activate these relationships through physical
practice. The Bhakti Coloring Book thus provides a modern
devotional ritual for a living contact with the sacredness of all
life." --Debashish Banerji, California Institute of Integral
Studies
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