This mandala dome is awesome! The mandala, in my humble opinion, has really added to the energetic draw of the structure. Just starting with the geodesic structure alone has all kinds of energetic implications and to add the mandala on the inside creates an even more womb like and inviting feel.
In Boise, Idaho we had an alternative festival called “The Eagle Island Experience Festival” which was held in May ‘05. In the quaint part of Boise (the older part with all the character) is a neighborhood festival, “Hyde Park Street Fair”, we used the dome in Sept ‘05 (right after The Burn).
This is where you’ll see the majority of the pictures taken of the inside and to the outside where there was a big drum circle taking place. I had it set up at my parent’s place where you’ll see the night time picture with me spinning fire in front. We had it up there for a few weeks and when we took it down to transition to the next place, my mom really had a feeling of loss when it was gone! We then moved it to another friend’s and put it in her back yard when her master drum teacher, Mamady Keita, taught a weekend workshop here.
He’s from Africa and resides in San Diego. I was out of town for this so Jenny filled me in on his reaction: he instantly fell in love with the dome and talked of it being a very unique and spiritual place – it had its own “heartbeat and rhythm” was some of the language he used to describe it! And Jenny, who hosted the event, continually brings up “The Dome” as her place she goes to in her meditation of the “perfect” structure for her.
And of course it has now been to two “Burning Man” gatherings (‘04, ‘05) where it has been an invaluable refuge when looking for solace! And sleeping in it is just as magical – to step in to dreamland with all the sacred geometry around you is a comforting feeling. The big circular door and the tear-drop windows add a very nice touch too. I feel the big circular door really creates an open and inviting space when that energy is needed/wanted.
In all my experience it really has this mystic allure and attachment for all of us, where the mandala augments that feel completely – maybe even completes it more, if I dare say. Obviously the pictures only reflect a bit of the energy it holds within the experience.
