Intersecting Minds

Being Like a Flute

by Sandhya Beswal

An abstract painting features a central wooden flute, angled diagonally, with delicate golden threads extending from its finger holes like soundwaves. These threads radiate across a vibrant, swirling background filled with multicolored organic shapes, spirals, paisleys, and floral motifs. The background evokes a sense of motion and music, blending cool and warm hues—pinks, purples, blues, oranges, and yellows—into a dynamic, almost synesthetic composition. The piece suggests sound and spirit flowing outward in all directions, merging sensory perception with visual rhythm. The artist's signature, "Sandhya," appears in the lower right corner.

Artist Statement

Even as a child, I always sensed an unseen energy working quietly behind everything. I was confident of its presence and that it depended only on the degree of sensitivity of the person to perceive it.

I have not only experienced this energy but feel that I can tap into this energy source and enhance its working. One way is to create stillness within. When I choose to lead a life like the roaring ocean, I am lost in the waves of my disturbed consciousness. On the other hand, when I let go of my grudges, pain, fear, and regrets, and when I remove everything undesirable from within me and develop absolute emptiness, I find a deep spiritual connection even in the simplest daily activities, and I can sense the Real Self, the Unseen, working through me.

The old-fashioned bamboo flute, which was so dear to Lord Krishna, was completely empty from the inside. Even a speck of dirt in it would hinder it in producing the melodious music. In the same way, to sense the Unseen, I have to remove everything undesirable from within me and develop absolute emptiness.

I have depicted this in my painting with divine effulgence radiating from the empty flute, covering all the different activities in the background. The heart that is clear of unwanted desires, thoughts, impurities, and complexities will sense the Unseen working through it just like the music from the flute.

Artist Bio

My name is Sandhya Beswal. I have always been intrigued by the Unseen Energy that is the force behind every living being and all of nature. At the age of nine, I would look in the mirror and wonder, even though my eyes are the ones looking, who is actually making them see. Am I only the body that I see in the mirror? I tried meditating when alone to seek the answers to my questions.

I completed my Masters in Psychology. During my school and college years, I had the opportunity to learn fine arts from a renowned artist. At the age of 36, I started meditation with ‘Heartfulness’ International Spiritual Organization. Soon, I was permitted to be a preceptor of Heartfulness.

In recent years, all my artwork has been inspired by my spiritual experiences. I have been graced by the Unseen and inspired to unite the two.