The Past is Real

This drawing is inspired by what I have learned through my own breathwork experiences and group discussions at many Dreamshadow® Group events. These teachings have profoundly shaped my understanding of time, existence, and collective experience. I have been introduced to many incredible concepts, two of which directly inspired this work: “The past is real” and Heraclitus’ idea that “the world is an ever-living fire.” These insights revealed to me that we are not separate from history—we emerge from the entirety of experience, from the beginning of time to the present. The past is not just something behind us; it is alive within us, beneath us, and around us, like fertile soil from which all things grow. This ever-living fire of collective experience continues to burn, shaping who we are and remaining accessible to those who seek it.

Visually, the drawing reflects this philosophy. At the top, a dark sphere represents a time before light, followed by a glowing sphere and a single-celled organism drifting in the sky, symbolizing the origins of life. Below, a young boy sits in the landscape, gazing toward this distant beginning while casting a long, hourglass-shaped shadow—representing the passage of time. In the foreground, a ripple in the water merges with a blooming, intricate flower, embodying the richness of the present moment. Just as a flower draws nourishment from the soil, the present is shaped and sustained by all that has come before. The surrounding environment pulses with fire-like movement, echoing Heraclitus’ vision of existence as an ongoing transformation.

This piece is both a meditation on time’s unfolding nature and a tribute to the wisdom Lenny and Elizabeth have shared with me—both personally and by introducing me to Holotropic Breathwork. Their guidance has profoundly influenced my perspective, creative process, and connection to something far greater than myself.

That said, what you see here is merely a drawing—a foundation. I now plan to refine and render it in oil paints on a wooden panel, striving to create a masterwork. Even once that is complete, I will continue growing this concept, deepening my exploration, and embracing my love of being a Disciple of Experience—for I am just getting started.

“STRENGTH IN AND THROUGH ART”