Io Free Jones' portrait, Bhagavan Adi Da with Lotus Flower (right), placed for sacred use in Temple Adi Da, at Adi Da Samrajashram, Naitauba Island, Fiji

Io Free Jones' portrait, Bhagavan Adi Da with Lotus Flower (right), placed for sacred use in Temple Adi Da, at Adi Da Samrajashram, Naitauba Island, Fiji

The occasion of art flowing into the domain of the spirit is rare, but is also cause for rejoicing. True murtis are exceedingly difficult to master. It involves the kind of artistic contemplation that lasts for a lifetime. It does not happen often, but when it does, all kinds of practical and mysterious forces must somehow intervene and merge. Most of these paintings enjoy the unique distinction of being completed at the request of Adi Da Samraj and under his direction. The others enjoy an equally important distinction of being created as gifts to him from the artist herself.

During his lifetime, Bhagavan Adi Da Samraj placed each of the murti paintings that Io created in his environments and meditation halls, for devotees to contemplate. It was his instruction directly to Io Free Jones that her paintings always have a sacred purpose. Now these beautiful and important icons of contemplation are being made available to devotees for the first time. These reproductions are intended to be used as the originals have been for years, as murti images, set aside for spiritual contemplation either in the home or meditation hall.

 

Io Free Jones' portrait, Bhagavan Adi Da in Dusty Rose (left), placed in the Temple at Samraj Mahal, Adi Da Samrajashram, Naitauba Island, Fiji

Io Free Jones' portrait, Bhagavan Adi Da in Dusty Rose (left), placed in the Temple at Samraj Mahal, Adi Da Samrajashram, Naitauba Island, Fiji

 
Great art is really part of the cultural participation of people. Participation in art forms is what is really significant about art. We live in a time in which participation in art forms is no longer the point-but traditionally, art objects were ceremonial objects, sacred objects that were part of the daily sacred activity of religious and Spiritual practitioners. Great art is that kind. The great tradition of art is healing- resonating the being, serving your equanimity, raising your sympathies, enhancing your existence from a sacred point of view.

                                                                                                          –Adi Da Samraj