About “The Evolution of Spirituality”

The mural in Sampson Hall is Gobin Stair’s exploration of what spirituality has meant and might continue to mean for humanity. Inspired by the Mexican muralist tradition, mid-twentieth century American art, and Christian triptychs, this mural presents the story of humanity’s development of spiritual and religious understandings indicated by related symbols as a progression across time from left to right.

1. Stonehenge, part of an ancient complex in Wiltshire, England, built from 3100-1600 BCE, and aligned to the Solstices.

2. The first of three hands representing human creativity and communication: this one open and reaching out to the sun, an early object of human worship.  This is followed by images of fire, as a separate element in the world then as a human creation, central for community & keeping back the dark.

3. The spirit of nature rising from a tree – representing pagan understandings which centered around the natural order.

4. The “oṃ,” a sacred sound and symbol in Indian religions that is used as a mantra in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism.

5. The Buddha, 5th century BCE.

6. Snake worship has been present in most regions of the world, this one with Central and South American indigenous motifs, moves towards a woman, recalling many stories.

7. The star of David, a symbol of Judaism.

8. The second of the three hands, raised like that of a preacher pointing the way, and placed between the star of David and the cross, a symbol of Christianity.

9. A masculine triangle (the point faces up), a symbol of many triads.

10. Yin and Yang, a symbol of Taoism and Confucianism.

11. A feminine triangle (the point faces down), a symbol of the goddess, note how the triangles frame the Yin and Yang.

An image of an archetypal NE Church (like First Parish in Kingston UU) sits behind and in the middle of all these symbols of contemporary spiritual thought indicating our place as a meeting place for differing faith traditions.

12. A group of people carrying a large cross followed by a spiral, a symbol of growth, evolution, and the natural world.

13. Jesus on a second sun, echoed by a shadowy version of his face in the Sky.

14. A modern Santa Claus (commercialization of spirituality) below the Christmas star is welcomed by the eternal child who – like every generation - questions humanity’s direction.

15. The star and crescent, an ancient symbol of the Middle East often used to represent Islam.

16. The chalice and flame, a symbol of Unitarian Universalism.

17. The final image centers on brilliant fire of spirit which incorporates and permeates those nearby.  It shows gathered humanity forming a single face of collective human consciousness as we face towards the future - aware that responsibility for our fragile spaceship earth is in our collective hand.