So the Prayer Flag project has finally begun! A project that was slotted for last year's round of festivals, but was pushed to the side due to, well, life. If you want to see the beginning concept for this project you can go

here

.

But it is a new year, and what better way to begin it than to start with a project that is focused on connecting communities, and offering up our prayers for peace, wellness and healing. 

The Prayer Flag Project is a moving installation that will take place in Canada over the course of this year. It will be set up at festivals, in homes, parks and public gatherings. The purpose of this project is to inspire people to actively participate in creating their own spiritual space and to promote community wellness.

The project is simple- people write their own prayers, wishes, intentions or images on the empty flags the artist has provided. The flags then get hung at the end of the prayer chain. Over the course of the year the chain will grow longer and longer, and the prayers will travel across countries, to reach communities everywhere. 

The idea of original Tibetan prayer flags, is that the ancient Buddhist prayers, mantras and powerful symbols displayed on them produce a spiritual vibration that is activated and carried by the wind across the countryside. All beings that are touched by the wind are uplifted and a little happier. The silent prayers are blessings spoken on the breath of nature. Just as a drop of water can permeate the ocean, prayers dissolved in the wind extend to fill all of space.

When raising prayer flags proper motivation is important. If they are put up with the attitude “I will benefit from doing this” – that is an ego-centred motivation and the benefits will be small and narrow. If the attitude is “May all beings everywhere receive benefit and find happiness,” the virtue generated by such motivation greatly increases the power of the prayers.  

This year the installation began at

Intention Gathering BC

 at Camp Elphinstone on the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia, Canada. Starting over the new year and in such a community centred space, is exactly how this project needed to begin.

To contain this project, I set up an empty cabin away from the main party area as a meditation space. People were informed that the space was there anytime they needed to take a quiet moment, a rest, or just a pause. While they were there they were welcome to make a prayer flag with the supplies provided.

Artwork behind altar by Marty

The results were beautiful. I wish I could share each and every single one with you. I'll share a couple, but you'll just have to find an event these are set up at and make your own.

Photograph by 

Anastasia Gai

If you would like to be a part of this project and don't think you'll see me somewhere around the country this year, please feel free to mail me your own! Others have already made some in their own homes to be added onto this project.

All you need is a 5x5 inch piece of fabric, a little bit of time to sit down and write or draw out your prayers, and you can mail it to me to be added to the prayer chain. You could even make a day out of it and get some friends together to do it at the same time, as a wonderful way to ring in the new year! 

Feel free to email me at jodithesharp@gmail.com for an address to send your flags to. 

Thank you to all who have participated in this project so far. Thank you to Intention BC for having me, and may your sacred prayers be imprinted on the wind, generating peace and good wishes.

“Do you know what you are?

You are a manuscript oƒ a divine letter.

You are a mirror reflecting a noble face.

This universe is not outside of you.

Look inside yourself;

everything that you want,

you are already that.” 

-Rumi 

(Hush, Don't Say Anything to God: Passionate Poems of Rumi)