Dr. Lawrence Sheaff’s research has led to a comprehensive re-evaluation of the visual arts in the light of Maharishi Vedic Science – the complete science of consciousness. His Absolute Image series of paintings and books about them explore the fundamentals of form and their relationship with the structure and dynamics of consciousness as revealed in Maharishi Vedic Science. In this article Dr. Sheaff is questioned about his book ‘Absolute Image: The Structure of Consciousness in Visual Form’ by the book’s content editor Dr. Bernard Bence.
Revolutionizing our Understanding of the Arts
Bernard Bence: Your work as an artist is based upon the knowledge contained in Maharishi Vedic Science (MVS) and Technology. Could you first tell us about this new science of consciousness before you discuss the significance it has for the arts? I know this is the central theme of your book?
Lawrence Sheaff: Since this new scientific knowledge revolutionises our understanding of the arts, it will be important as you say to briefly describe it here. Maharishi Vedic Science is a new phenomenon in the field of science. It gives complete knowledge of the knower, the process of knowing, and the known. It presents itself as the complete science of consciousness, and the total knowledge of the laws of nature or natural law for our scientific age.
BB: It thus distinguishes itself from the partial or fragmentary knowledge of natural law delivered by our modern systems of scientific investigation.
LS: Exactly. And a civilization based on partial values of knowledge will always encounter problems. . .
BB:. . .as past history and current events so clearly demonstrate. This is because the application of partial values of natural law is bound to cause violations of the laws of nature.
LS: Yes, and it is the violation of the laws of nature (either knowingly or unknowingly) in society that causes negative, destructive values to arise in human life.
Techniques to Unfold Creative Potential
BB: And does Maharishi Vedic Science offer a practical solution to this seemingly on-going dilemma?
LS: It does. Maharishi Vedic Science offers the simple, natural Transcendental Meditation technique and its advanced programmes for unfolding the full creative potential of every individual. The TM technique has been scientifically validated by hundreds of published, peer-reviewed studies over the past forty years, which show it brings human thought and action spontaneously into harmony with nature or natural law for a problem-free life.
BB: Then through education based on the total knowledge of natural law contained in Maharishi Vedic Science, negative, destructive values could quickly dissolve away from the individual and society and positive-creative values begin to blossom fully…
LS: Exactly so. The application of these programmes in society immediately brings relief to the great pressure of continually mounting problems on the citizens of a nation as well as its administrators.
Consciousness-Based Art for Every Artist
BB: Can you tell us what Maharishi Vedic Science is and what its origins are?
LS: The ancient Veda and Vedic literature of India comprise the oldest, most complete system of knowledge in the world. Veda means ‘knowledge’ – the total knowledge of natural law. ‘Vedic’ means ‘pertaining to Veda’. Maharishi Mahesh Yogi has revived this most ancient knowledge in its completeness in recent decades in the form of Maharishi Vedic Science and Technology of Transcendental Meditation. It has been thoroughly integrated with all the latest findings in modern science. As explained previously, MVS is ‘holistic knowledge’ it activates the total value of organizing power that is in complete harmony with all the laws of nature or natural law.
BB: Has all this been more fully explained in the book, and has the revolutionary impact this new and complete knowledge of natural law on the visual arts been explored in detail?
LS: The book explores in detail how the application of this comprehensive science of consciousness to the visual arts unfolds in a natural way, the cosmic potential inherent within the three basic components of the visual arts defined as 1) the artist, 2) the art-object; 3) the viewer of art.
BB: You discuss how Maharishi Vedic Science unfolds the very foundations of what you call ‘our visual aesthetic reality’ and offers a new scientific basis for defining absolute values in the visual arts. These new foundational principles revolutionise our understanding of the discipline by revealing its infinite nature, and, at the same time, offer practical programmes for fully activating that unbounded cosmic potential in any cultural setting.
LS: Yes. Maharishi Vedic Science first reveals the cosmic potential of the three basic components of the visual arts mentioned above – the artist, the art-object, and the viewer of art. It then begins to actualise the fullest value of that potential in the individual and the society as a whole. This opens the way to ‘consciousness-based art’ for every artist – art in harmony with the evolutionary power of total natural law for the fulfillment of every artist and for glorifying and enriching a nation’s cultural life as a whole.
Responses to the book: Absolute Image – The Structure of Consciousness in Visual Form
“Thank you for your masterful work on cosmic art. All the architects in my office are currently reviewing it. You have wonderfully integrated all the Vedic Sciences with the world of the visual arts. This book could be a basis for ‘Heaven on Earth’ art classes. Your Absolute Image Series of Paintings are a visual representation of cosmic intelligence. They are living impulses of consciousness, pulsating, expanding, revolving and contracting from their center point. Many of us have enjoyed similar visions with the inner eyes and always wondered how they could be made to appear to the outer eyes. With the special technique of handcrafting you have developed, plus your infinite skill, precision and patience, you have indeed made manifest in your paintings a universal level of expression.”
– Eike Hartmann, PhD, Minister of Architecture, Global Country of World Peace
“This book is packed with knowledge and beautiful images. It opens up a whole new world for the reader. Lawrence Sheaff accompanies his unique works of art with a fascinating commentary that convincingly unfolds for the reader the very deepest principles underlying our powers of seeing.”
– Vernon Katz, PhD, Philosopher, Educator, Author and leading exponent on Maharishi Vedic Science
“Lawrence Sheaff’s new book, ‘Absolute Image: The Structure of Consciousness in Visual Form’, is a tour de force, a magnificent breakthrough in the uniting of fine art and human consciousness. The original handcrafted artwork by Sheaff is of extraordinary quality and draftsmanship and has been faithfully reproduced in the highest quality images contained in this exquisite new publication. The work is mesmerizing, intricate, and transcendental in nature. Sheaff represents the subtle and very real structure of the physical universe in visual form, a feat unknown in the modern world. This book is a must for artists, art lovers, and spiritual seekers from all walks of life.”
– Hollis Taggart, President of the Hollis Taggart Galleries, Chelsea and Upper East Side, New York
“I was absolutely thrilled to have your book and to spend several hours slowly moving from page to page. I truly believe you are expressing fundamental structures that describe the flow of consciousness. I appreciate how you are able to draw out of the subtle transcendence the tangible expression of your own experience. I would also like to express to you my appreciation for your dedication to the profound knowledge contained in the Vedic Science of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, and for bringing it to life through your own experience and extraordinary talent.”
– Dr Howard Settle, Entrepreneur and Art Collector
“This is an extraordinarily beautiful book, deeply inspiring. It is also a profound personal investigation into what makes art, saturated with the influence over many years of the legendary sage of Vedic science, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. I wish every artist would read it and take it to heart.”
– Peter Swan, PhD, Minister of Communications, Global Country of World Peace
For 18 years, Dr. Sheaff led the graphic arts department of the international Transcendental Meditation organization, responsible for the design and printing of hundreds of books, exhibitions and architectural designs. He is currently a member of the Board of Directors and Head of the Department of Visual Arts for the Academy of Arts for Enlightenment. Look for more contributions to this blog by Dr. Sheaff.
For more information about Dr. Lawrence Sheaff’s Absolute Image series of paintings and his books, visit: www.AbsoluteImage.net.
View Lawrence’s first book and other publications here.