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Lift the Veil, Walk As One

by Fran Ward, Ph.D., adjunct faculty

Every step, every day, we journey along a spiritual path. We may not know where that path is heading, but we honor the mystery by keeping one foot in front of the other. Some steps we take are tentative, tiny, wobbly. Sometimes we boldly climb higher.

Last fall I was invited to be in an art exhibition in Tokyo in 2006. Seeing such opportunities as the sweet voice of our friendly universe, I always find a way to accept. How could I pass up doors swinging open on another continent for me?

The night before receiving the invitation, I dreamt of “seeing the veil” and seeing beyond the veil. Interestingly I could see through it, I could see a reflection of it, and I could even walk around it. I could be on either side and see through to another side. It was clear that I had to make my dream manifest as art-form for others to experience.

I faxed a sketch of one-foot squares of clear, mirror and white on one side and clear, mirror and black on the other. They liked it but wanted it bigger than the proposed four-foot by four-foot wall hanging. So “Beyond the Veil” became a 13-foot square installation that was to be suspended from the ceiling of Tokyo Municipal Museum.

	Serving her alma mater since 1993, adjunct faculty member Frances W. Ward completed her Ph.D. in Metaphysics from AIHT; her Ed.S. in Counseling from The College of William and Mary; M.S. in Humanities from Dartmouth College; and B.A. in English from University of Massachusetts. She is a long-term member of MENSA.

Every aspect of its creation became a challenge, a hurdle, almost an impossibility. But there was only one challenge a day. And one by one, the mysteries were solved. Nothing would prevent me from embracing its grand possibility.

“Beyond the Veil” was chosen to be the exhibit’s featured work, and at the art opening I was honored to give a keynote address: “The Artist As Warrior” in English, assisted by a translator. The Japanese audience said I gave them courage. I was humbled.

I loved the Japanese culture, and their people embraced mine. Wherever I went, new friends were eager to share their hospitality and heritage. I was an humbled participant in sharing comparisons with our countries. Language was never a barrier, once I learned to say “arigato” (thank you) and “oy-shee” (delicious)! There is no tipping in Japan. Servers are delighted simply when diners enjoy a meal. Culturally, the Japanese are so eager to make others feel welcome.

I took the fast train past Mt. Fuji with my friend Akiko. We visited Kyoto, a sacred city with thousands of temples, where everyone is a pilgrim and where world leaders meet for peace talks. As one who conducts World Peace Flame ceremonies in every culture I visit, it was my honor to present a candle for the monks to place on the altar with the Big Buddha.

…we journey along a spiritual path. We may not know where that path is heading, but we honor the mystery by keeping one foot in front of the other. Some steps we take are tentative, tiny, wobbly. Sometimes we boldly climb higher.

AIHT first opened my eyes and then opened doors to this bright and shining journey. Thus began an ever-stronger magnetic attraction to others who share a spirit-led path. I crossed the East-West Bridge to Asia once I saw beyond the veil. But there never was any separation; we are all connected. Worlds apart in distance, yet we walk as one.

Editor’s note: Visit “The Artist As Warrior” at www.aiht.edu/warrior/