NATURE MANDALA

HOSTED BY ONENESSS STUDIO X YAO STUDIO

WORKSHOP

INSPIRED BY JAPANESE ESOTERIC BUDDHISM

When a feeling is given form,
it no longer stays hidden

An intimate space for mandala-making, reflection,

and shared conversation.

27, 28 JUNE 2026

Sat 3-5pm & Sun 1-3pm

$75 pp (Limited to 6 Participants)

The In-Between Gallery

A gathering of artworks with quiet reflections from a finite mind, searching for herself through the works of others.

Reverse Meditation

Oct 2025

Meditation is not a way out of reality — it’s a doorway into it.

To reverse the mind is to see clearly: good and bad, joy and sorrow, are not separate. They arise together, completing each other within the same field of awareness.

This is the view of emptiness — where wholeness appears through contrast, and clarity is born from confusion.

In this space, we stop searching for comfort and start seeing truth. Meditation no longer becomes a refuge from life, but a way of meeting it fully — raw, luminous, and real.

Chapter 1 Suffering = Pain x Resistance

Chapter 2 Meditation is not an escape from pain or reality; instead, it's a doorway into it.

Chapter 3 Conditional vs Unconditional

Chapter 4 Near Enemy

Learn More

"Darkness is the candle"

“Death is a forced openness” - Andrew Holecek

“The knocking on the wall of the space of consciousness was my own heart beating” - Alan Watts

More Messages

CO-CREATE, EXPRESS, IMPACT

Connecting threads between Art, Psycho-spirituality and Beliefs.
We share stories and delve into fundamental connections, embracing natural freedom through embodied learning, fostering a deeper understanding of the relationship between the the outer world and the inner world.

A book from a Tibetan temple in Sydney, passed to me by a friend. Some quotes and thoughts to share.

These lines of words always bring me back to a still state, where the circumstances that had been simmering around me begin to blur into the background.

I’ve been feeling constantly distracted, continuously unable to cleanse information as fast as I accumulate it—information that eventually becomes nothing really useful, and even interrupts the healthy circulation of the natural self.

Information needs to be selected before it is absorbed. I can feel how easily I am moved and influenced by my surroundings, even when I try very hard not to be. Sometimes I lose my sense of direction.

But with these lines of words, I’m instantly thrown back into a state I’ve experienced before: still and clear.

Nirvana is samsara, as they exist mutually, like all the other opposites we name. Science and spirituality—seemingly opposite terms, yet perhaps simply different expressions of the same thing.

#buddhsim#clearmind#buddhistquotes#tibetanbuddhism#thewayofpower

Sticky: Where it clings, resists, repeats, and protects.

Both reverse meditation and sitting meditation become a way of seeing.

They are diagnostic, not in a clinical sense, but in the sense that they reveal the mind’s patterns — where it clings, resists, repeats, and protects.

Through open awareness, we begin to notice how sticky the mind is, and slowly create space between experience and reaction.

Reverse Meditation by @andrewholecekauthor

#onenesssstudio #spirituality #reversemeditation #meditation #buddhism

16/06/26 Every reaction arises from a base perception within us. If there is no inner imprint, the outside world has nothing to trigger. ☀️ 境緣無好醜，好醜起於心。

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Everyone has become who they are through a complicated history. There is always a reason.

What they like, dislike, are sensitive to, or not sensitive to, all comes from the experiences that shaped them. We all carry patterns of thoughts from the interaction between the self and life experiences.

Sometimes a person is not choosing to be “difficult.” They are hurt individuals wanting safety, protecting themselves based on what they have been through.

As we grow up, we think we have enough experience to know who we are, and what we define it as personality. Personality we describe is simply a habitual way we react to things. But we continue to grow no matter how old we get. There is never a fixed personality.

Growth is to expand and see both the “good and bad” — the reason to do something, and the reason not to. (The knowing of the cause and effect of both choices).

We can respect people’s choices, and still offer our best understanding, both good and bad, then give them the freedom to choose.

When reacting to someone’s “bad” behaviour, or something you think is stupid or obvious, stop. They may simply be at a very different stage from you.

Bring the attention back to yourself. Why are you so reactive towards them? Sometimes what we persistently see in others reflects something deeper inside us.

Save the energy from projecting outward, and start seeing ourselves more clearly, in a way we see other more clearly. IT’S COMING FROM THE INSIDE ANYWAY.

Artwork: Glasshouse by Jenna Lee

#onenesssstudio#spirituality#lifenote#spiritualgrowthbuddhistwisdom

Nature Mandala Workshop in three weeks. Limited spots left. Scan to book or book through link in bio.

#sydneyspiritualworkshop#sydneyworkshop#sydneyartstudio#naturemandalaworkshop#japaneseesotericbuddhism

I was reading “The Power and the Pain” by Andrew Holecek, which is recommended after Reverse Meditation. It is a deeper dive into shaping and understanding the idea of non-duality.

When first stepping into the spiritual world, I can easily find myself having an either-or mind, unable to see two truths together. Our mind is used to seeing the world in a conditioned way. With the introduction of absolute truth, we may misunderstand it and use it as a way to avoid pain and challenges.

“The urge to cultivate comfort and avoid pain is at the heart of ego development,” and it shapes our so-called personality.

Over time, I realized that this path gives us what we need, not necessarily what we want. The example in the book describes it as the adult version of having to eat our vegetables. It may not taste good, but if we want to grow spiritually, we need to accept and understand it.

Relative truth is a grounding place where…

“You have to be somebody before you can be nobody,” by psychiatrist Jack Engler.

And “the question is the answer” and “the more you give up hope for fruition, the closer it will be,” by Trungpa Rinpoche.

References:
Holecek writes, “The urge to cultivate comfort and avoid pain is at the heart of ego development” (Holecek, 2010).
Psychiatrist Jack Engler wrote, “You have to be somebody before you can be nobody” (Engler, 1984).
Trungpa Rinpoche’s teaching points toward giving up hope for fruition, a recurring theme in contemplative practice (Trungpa, 2003).

#onenesssstudio#thepowerandthepain#nonduality#andrewholecek#holdingtwotruths

Two Realms, One Whole | Holding wisdom and compassion at once.

These two mandala come from Japanese Esoteric Buddhism, especially the Shingon tradition. One is the Vajra Realm Mandala, and one is the Womb Realm Mandala. The two can only be seen as a whole; they cannot be separated in practice. After I discovered their meaning further, I realised…

In these two realms

One gives structure.
One gives compassion.

One helps us see what is here.
One helps us hold what is here.

Without compassion, structure can become rigid.
Without structure, compassion can become unclear.

between clarity and softness,
order and openness,
form and space,
wisdom and compassion.

It teaches us to see more than one side of the same reality,

#onenesssstudio#mandala#wisdomandcompassion
#vajrarealm#wombrealm

“Patience is not thrilling. It is, in fact, the capacity to do without excitement, to delay gratification, to stick with what feels boring or bland. Long’s artistic achievement is to integrate these unromantic aspects of patience with an endeavour that charms the imagination…” (De Botton & Armstrong, 2013)

Reference:
De Botton, A., & Armstrong, J. (2013). Art as therapy. Phaidon Press.
Richard Long. (1989). Waterlines. offset lithograph in colours
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#artastherapy#alaindebotton#johnarmstrong#onenesssstudio#artmeditation

The In-Between Gallery:
A gathering of artworks with quiet reflections from a finite mind searching for herself through the works of others.

Find out more via the link in bio, laptop view for better reading experience.

Since 2023, onenesss.studio has gradually gathered a series of notes and reflections on art and quiet contemplation. These have been organised into a dedicated webpage, allowing anyone interested to browse and read them with ease. The content is currently divided into four sections:
1. Light and Shadow
2. Louise Bourgeois Collection
3. Buddhist Reflections
4. Experiential Art Practices

These pieces are not simply records of artworks; they also reflect the gradual shifts in understanding that emerged through an ongoing spiritual exploration.

Thank you for your continued support since 2023. New content will be added over time.
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#artcollection#artreflection#lightanddark#spirituality#quiettime

Channel / Vessel

The ability to hold—once the concept is created—a channel becomes a vessel. An illusory “bottom” in the mind is formed and expands as it starts to accumulate over time. Suffering begins when we believe we are a vessel. A vessel does one thing: to hold. Even if it has an “infinite” capacity to hold, it still exists within the definite mind. Once the belief that we are a vessel, rather than having a vessel, is formed, we start to hold and grab; our feelings and emotions begin to stay. As we keep strengthening this belief as a society—a shared consciousness—we can hardly escape from a dual reality, meaning it is either this or that.

Whereas the belief of a channel is not the opposite of a vessel; it is a name that describes a state of mind that no longer grabs or defines, resting instead in emptiness, as Buddhism calls it. Just as we don’t say “I am a body” but “I have a body,” yet deeply we think we are the body—we are the identity presented through this specific body—and forget that suffering begins the moment we unconsciously believe we are a vessel rather than that we have a vessel.
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#spirtualawakening#buddhism#buddhsitmeditation #emptiness#空

A Breathing Record

A visual way to understand my breathing pattern. When my chest feels tight, I take a big breath in and hold it for as long as I can until I can’t anymore. I notice it pushes the oxygen up to my head, and my body feels out of control and suddenly drops. It makes me realize that I haven’t really been breathing properly. So I made this drawing with my eyes closed to explore how deep and shallow breathing actually feel to me.

#breathing#breathingexercises#breathingart#interactiveart#spiritualityandart#spiritualityandhealth#breathingtherapy#breathingrecord#onenesssstudio#howtobreathe

Found a sentence from my journal, not sure if it’s original or from someone. But here you go.

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#spiritualawakening#spirituality#clearlightmind#buddhism#wisdom#solidity#liberation#consciousness#awareness##dreamyoga #emptiness #awakening #illusionofreality #seeingclearly #truenature #nothingness #beyondillusion #wakeup #impermanence #nonduality #lookdeeper #innerawakening #andrewholecek#spiritualawareness#onenesssstudio

Everything you experience is the fruit of your intention.

From a Buddhist perspective, all actions grow from intention. This means intention is the seed, and actions are the medium that connects your inner world with the external world. Intention gives you a sense of purpose; it’s the anchor that grounds you in what you truly want. A clear intention is similar to a goal, but not the same.

A goal is a fixed outcome, something solid and result-focused. Intention, on the other hand, is about the idea of the experience. It can express itself in many forms, all coming from the same root. A goal is more restrictive, while intention is flexible and continually evolving.

For example: “I want money” is a fixed goal, not an intention. Intention is internal; a goal is external. A goal can be lost once it’s achieved, but intention keeps growing and shifting with you. Intention requires clarity about who you are and alignment with your true needs and wants. Even if you say “I want money,” if it’s coming from the perspective of “intention” instead of “goal”, your focus is actually on the deeper want, not on the money itself. The money can still come, but you are less attached to the statement.

Setting intentions grounds you and puts you on a sustainable path that aligns with your growth. Setting goals, however, can be tricky when you’re not yet a master of understanding yourself. Sometimes goals are misunderstandings in disguise. In other words, the goals you set might not actually be yours. You were “told” to want them, taught to believe “this is me” and “this is my goal.” In fact, not necessarily.

Check out the website for the complete experience of reverse meditation. Link in bio.

“we can bring contraction onto the path and use it to accelerate our awakening.

As Zvi Ish-Shalom says, “Any experience of contraction can be a portal to deeper states of Being and expansion.”!

If we continue to capitulate to the force of our contractive habits, we’ll continue to practice samsãra. But if we use those same contractions as an invitation to open instead of close, to expand instead of contract, our unconscious practice of samsãra transforms into the conscious practice.”
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#spiritualawakening#spirituality#clearlightmind#buddhism#wisdom#solidity#liberation#consciousness#awareness##dreamyoga #emptiness #awakening #illusionofreality #seeingclearly #truenature #nothingness #beyondillusion #wakeup #impermanence #nonduality #lookdeeper #innerawakening #andrewholecek#spiritualawareness#onenesssstudio

Be like water.
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#water #taoistphilosophy #taoism #taoteching #innerawakening #spiritualawareness#onenesssstudio

Compulsive thinking emphasizes speed, which prevents things from being fully expressed and experienced — see the previous post.

Reverse meditation is about reversing our habitual ways of thinking and doing, transforming and reconstructing the meaning of painful experiences. Note that it’s not an easy process — emotions will shift back and forth, so be patient, know it takes time, and don’t give up.

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#spiritualawakening#spirituality#clearlightmind#buddhism#wisdom#solidity#liberation#consciousness#awareness##dreamyoga #emptiness #awakening #illusionofreality #seeingclearly #truenature #nothingness #beyondillusion #wakeup #impermanence #nonduality #lookdeeper #innerawakening #andrewholecek#spiritualawareness#onenesssstudio

The faster the mind moves, the more solid and continuous things appear. Slow it down, and the gaps in reality emerge, revealing its pixelated nature. The deeper we look, the less solid, lasting, and independent things become.

A speedy mind glosses over reality’s discontinuities, stitching them into a seemingly continuous whole—the world of mere appearance. Differentiated by varying appearances, this becomes the commonly accepted reality.

“Dream Yoga: Illuminating Your Life Through Lucid Dreaming and the Tibetan Yogas of Sleep”
Book by Andrew Holecek
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#spiritualawakening#spirituality#clearlightmind#buddhism#wisdom#solidity#liberation#consciousness#awareness##dreamyoga #emptiness #awakening #illusionofreality #seeingclearly #truenature #nothingness #beyondillusion #wakeup #impermanence #nonduality #lookdeeper #falseappearances #innerawakening #andrewholecek#spiritualawareness#onenesssstudio

“the deeper you look into things the less you find. Conversely, the less you investigate, the “more” you find — the more things appear to be solid…

Those who don’t bother to look closely at things continue to see the world as more solid, lasting, and independent. They remain asleep. Those who do bother to look are the ones who see through this trinity of false appearances and wake up…

Seeing reality, which is synonymous with seeing emptiness, is in one sense about seeing less. Things are less solid, less lasting, and less independent. If you see no-thingness (emptiness), that’s the very best seeing.

Quote from “Dream Yoga: Illuminating Your Life Through Lucid Dreaming and the Tibetan Yogas of Sleep”
Book by Andrew Holecek

Art by @_coarty
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#spiritualawakening#spirituality#clearlightmind#buddhism#wisdom#solidity#liberation#consciousness#awareness##dreamyoga #emptiness #awakening #illusionofreality #seeingclearly #truenature #nothingness #beyondillusion #wakeup #impermanence #nonduality #lookdeeper #falseappearances #innerawakening #andrewholecek#spiritualawareness#onenesssstudio

I’ve been in situations myself where the list could go on and on. In fact, our unique personalities can often be a combination of coping mechanisms when awareness is not present. Without awareness, things can swing to the extreme and lose balance, causing us to become out of touch with ourselves—disconnected from our current state by reacting in an automatic way.

The concept of a “near enemy” is like a wake-up call, making us realise just how many items we might be able to tick off the list. But it all comes down to the essential question: is this simply a habit, or is this truly how it is now?

It’s important to see that the “near enemy”can also be the “near fried.” In truth, the line between the two is created within us. The key to understanding is to see the full picture—to allow the duality to exist at the same time—until the mind and eyes become non-dual and open.
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#reversemeditation#oneness#wholeness#emptiness#meditation##buddhistwisdom#andrewholecek#book#spiritualawkening#lifepractice#life#reality#duality#polarity#onenesssstudio#duality#nondualmind#conditionalandunconditonal#unity#nearenemy#balance#yinyang#andreholecek#onenesssstudio

🚪

From the book:
Reverse Meditation: How to Use Your Pain and Most Difficult Emotions as the Doorway to Inner Freedom
by Andrew Holecek @andrewholecekauthor

Art： @_coarty
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#reversemeditation#oneness#wholeness#emptiness#meditation##buddhistwisdom#andrewholecek#book#spiritualawkening#lifepractice#life#reality#duality#polarity#onenesssstudio#duality#nondualmind#conditionalandunconditonal#unity#coarty#onenesssstudio

CONDITIONAL = inherent limitations in being the human body experience. Duality
UNCONDITIONAL = Emptiness, openness, non duality

From the book:
Reverse Meditation: How to Use Your Pain and Most Difficult Emotions as the Doorway to Inner Freedom
by Andrew Holecek @andrewholecekauthor
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#reversemeditation#oneness#wholeness#emptiness#meditation##buddhistwisdom#andrewholecek#book#spiritualawkening#lifepractice#life#reality#duality#polarity#onenesssstudio#duality#nondualmind#conditionalandunconditonal#unity#coarty#onenesssstudio

“If we’re not careful, meditation easily slips into a form of escape, and the meditative path turns into just another version of our comfort plan… If we only associate the meditative mind with silence, stillness, and comfort, we’re missing the point of authentic spiritual practice.”

To comment on Holecek’s text above: anything has a neutral quality; meditation itself is not inherently a good or bad, peaceful or bustling experience. The experience of meditation is defined by the individual who’s experiencing it and is determined by how the tool (or meditation) is used. If the individual is open and aware, anything can eventually be turned into a tool of meditation. Nondual mind

“Follow your bliss,” by Joseph Campbell, is a partial truth — we’ll just get blissed out.

From the book:
Reverse Meditation: How to Use Your Pain and Most Difficult Emotions as the Doorway to Inner Freedom
by Andrew Holecek @andrewholecekauthor
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#reversemeditation#buddhism#tibetanbuddhism#wisdomquotes#wholeness#oneness#wholeness#emptiness#meditation#whatsmeditstion#buddhistwisdom#andrewholecek#book#spiritualawkening#lifepractice#life#reality#duality#polarity#yinyang#onenesssstudio#duality#nonduality#nondualmind

A classic law and [Suffering = pain x resistance]; the suffering equation mentioned in Holecek’s book “Reverse meditation”

The idea of pain comes from the amount of contraction we’ve built up in the past as a way of defense. As we grow, the more ‘solid and rigid’ we become. A way to eliminate pain and suffering is to reverse our automatic, habitual response mechanism—in other words, to use the opportunity of pain to open instead of contracting more. Meaning opening into the authentic instead of contracting away from the authentic.

“It only feels painful because of the contrast. If you weren’t so frozen, the defrosting wouldn’t hurt.”

From the book:
Artwork: @_coarty
Reverse Meditation: How to Use Your Pain and Most Difficult Emotions as the Doorway to Inner Freedom
by Andrew Holecek @andrewholecekauthor
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#reversemeditation#buddhism#tibetanbuddhism#wisdomquotes#wholeness#oneness#wholeness#emptiness#meditation#whatsmeditstion#buddhistwisdom#andrewholecek#book#spiritualawkening#lifepractice#life#reality#duality#polarity#yinyang#onenesssstudio

Meditation is not a temporary escape from reality; instead, it’s a doorway into it. Reverse the way you perceive the world and your own emotions — it’s a perspective that comes from the view of emptiness.

Recently been into this book by Andrew Holecek, who also wrote Dream Yoga. Some thoughts to share:

“Nurture your meditation by destroying it.” — Khenpo Tsültrim Gyamtso Rinpoche

This is an explicit way to help us visualize how things manifest in a relatively destined way when they become substantial in this dimension — a dimension built on duality, what we call “reality.” But the heart comes from a place of oneness, or emptiness, that can only manifest both at the same time — meaning good within the bad, bad within the good, are not separate — they arise together.

It’s a different way of seeing — one that shows how oneness/wholeness and completion arise through the merging of yin and yang. Yet we tend to focus on searching for what feels good and safe, which, consciously or unconsciously, pulls us away from reality.

Meditation, in turn, reverses our mind — turning it back onto reality with clarity.

Some quotes:

“Instead of “waking up,” it’s more about “waking down.”
Instead of transcendence, it’s more about “subscendence.”
Instead of trying to get out, it’s more about getting in.”

“The reverse meditations give us the opportunity to relate TO our mind instead of FROM it.”

From the book:
Reverse Meditation: How to Use Your Pain and Most Difficult Emotions as the Doorway to Inner Freedom
by Andrew Holecek @andrewholecekauthor
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#reversemeditation#buddhism#tibetanbuddhism#wisdomquotes#wholeness#oneness#wholeness#emptiness#meditation#whatsmeditstion#buddhistwisdom#andrewholecek#book#spiritualawkening#lifepractice#life#reality#duality#polarity#yinyang#onenesssstudio

For true meaningful experience
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#journal#journalinspiration#inspiration#lifeinspiration#contemplation

「世界是落在我們認知範圍呈現出來的影相」By Huei-Kai Shih
Photo by @victorhawkart
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#buddhism#emptiness#emptinessisopenness#andrewholecek#nonduality#nondual#dualism#perceptionandreality#menla#thenatureofmind#meditation#whatismeditation#oneness#onenesssstudio#perceptualandactual#spirituality#spiritualawakening#spiritualgrowth#spiritualenlightenment#nantientemple#hueikaishih

“Not to know the equality of appearance-emptiness
And get attached to appearances alone is delusion
But to get attached to emptiness alone is delusion too If you know the equality of appearance-emptiness
There’s no need to get caught up in or give up phenomena
Those appearances and emptiness
What you must do is rest in the spaciousness Of the equality of appearance-emptiness.” ( Khenpo Rinpoche)

Translated and arranged by Jim Scott, Tegchokling, Boudha, Nepal, 2010.

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#buddhism#emptiness#emptinessisopenness#andrewholecek#nonduality#nondual#dualism#perceptionandreality#menla#thenatureofmind#meditation#whatismeditation#oneness#onenesssstudio#perceptualandactual#spirituality#spiritualawakening#spiritualgrowth#spiritualenlightenment#dreamyoga

A quote that can’t be understood but to be experienced. From the book “Death; An Inside Story: A book for all those who shall die” by Sadhguru (2020)
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#death#doesntmatter#nonduality#nondual#perceptionandreality#thenatureofmind#onenesssstudio#spirituality#spiritualawakening#spiritualgrowth#spiritualenlightenment#deathquotes#spiritualquotes#spirituality

16/08/24: A Drawing Session

We began the drawing session with messy charcoal and explored how drawing can reflect our perceptions and limitations, as well as how we interpret others’ current perceptions of life through their spontaneous creations. It was an intriguing exercise—simply encouraging the person (who represents many who feel reluctant to draw) to draw and allowing the process to unfold.

We observed how our emotions and state of mind transitioned from one point to another, with the drawings visually representing these transitions. The process revealed that the drawings could hold deep meaning and reflection for the person creating them. Sharing thoughts and perceptions about each other’s work sparked insights and reactions, making the experience a reflective journey for both of us. Some observations felt insightful, while others felt deeply personal or habitual.
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#spirituality#spiritual#spiritualjourney#drawing#charcoaldrawing#artherapy#reflectivedrawing#selfreflection#reflectivepractice#meditativeart#meditativedrawing#onenesssstudio

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@onenesss.studio

NATURE MANDALA

HOSTED BY ONENESSS STUDIO X YAO STUDIO

WORKSHOP

INSPIRED BY JAPANESE ESOTERIC BUDDHISM

When a feeling is given form, it no longer stays hidden

An intimate space for mandala-making, reflection,

and shared conversation.

27, 28 JUNE 2026

Sat 3-5pm & Sun 1-3pm

$75 pp (Limited to 6 Participants)

The In-Between Gallery

A gathering of artworks with quiet reflections from a finite mind, searching for herself through the works of others.

Reverse Meditation

Oct 2025

Chapter 1

Suffering = Pain x Resistance

Chapter 2

Meditation is not an escape from pain or reality; instead, it's a doorway into it.

Chapter 3

Conditional vs Unconditional

Chapter 4

Near Enemy

CO-CREATE, EXPRESS, IMPACT

Connecting threads between Art, Psycho-spirituality and Beliefs. We share stories and delve into fundamental connections, embracing natural freedom through embodied learning, fostering a deeper understanding of the relationship between the the outer world and the inner world.

​

Follow us on Instagram

When a feeling is given form,
it no longer stays hidden

Connecting threads between Art, Psycho-spirituality and Beliefs.
We share stories and delve into fundamental connections, embracing natural freedom through embodied learning, fostering a deeper understanding of the relationship between the the outer world and the inner world.