Student
Choice #4: Objectivity vs. Subjectivity
In
class lecture, we touched on the idea of “axis mundi” as being the center of
the world, or the world’s point of beginning. In
religion, axis mundi provides the consecrated connection between Heaven and
Earth. It represents a location where the four directions meet and a
relationship is formed between the sky and the earth. Through the axis mundi, spiritual travel between higher
and lower “realms” is made possible.
“Communication
from lower realms may ascend to higher ones and blessings from higher realms
may descend to lower ones and be disseminated to all.” (Axis)
The
idea of axis mundi can be expressed through different mediums. For example, the
illustration of the “Tree of Life” visually connects all worldly embodiments. Also,
Buddhism uses the human body to represent this idea by being represented as a
pillar that stands between land and sky, heaven and earth. Additionally,
specific celestial bodies identified through the practice of astrology can be
representative of center of the world.
“Because the axis mundi is an idea that unites a number of concrete
images, no contradiction exists in regarding multiple spots as ‘the center of
the world’”
Axis
mundi entails that the objects/entities existing between heaven and earth exist
as a storehouse for impending knowledge.
Therefore, in addition to traveling to different realms, the axis mundi ultimately
guides us to understanding and information.
LITERATURE CITED
Axis Mundi. (2012, October 23). Retrieved November 22, 2014,
from http://solarlunar.com/axis-mundi-center/
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