THE FEATURES IN THE MOONEE PONDS MINDBODY HEALTH CENTRE

The Reception Counter Feature

Labradorite is also a stone of esoteric knowledge, it stimulates intuition and grounds the spiritual body into the physical. Labradorite works to calm an overactive mind yet energises the imagination; stimulating new ideas. It is a useful stone for support while going through a period of change as it is known as a stone of transformation.

The Water Feature [Iinstallation October 2009]

The water feature incorporates Labradorite marble enclosed in a stunning amethyst cave-style of design. The eternal flame is the inspiration behind the overarching vase-like shape. Its purpose is to cleanse and purify the surrounding space.

The water feature at the entry to the lower meditation room is opposite the Nautilus spiral glass window. It mimics an amethyst cave, the cradle of the soul, a place which nurtures, cleanses and purifies. It was decided to incorporate a water feature with cyclic water flowing upwards and downwards as this is symbolic of the connection between Heaven (water flowing upwards) and Earth (water flowing downwards).

Carved from Gambier Stone, a lightweight fossiliferous Limestone from South East South Australia. This was specifically selected as the medium for the sculpture for its properties of enhancing the living qualities of water as limestone allows the life force within water to live and breath.

The Glass Artwork

The Rose Window (North)

The colours of the rose were chosen to reflect the full spectrum of healing light in which each person who walks into the Centre is naturally bathed

The Flower of Life Windows (East & West)

The windows at the east and west of the front part of the building have a duality about them - a mirroring of symbols, of night and day, of masculine and feminine.

The west overlapping circles of the vesica pisces are slightly downward angled indicating the feminine and the opposite is that of the east where the interlocking circles are slightly upward invoking the masculine. The overarching symbol for these windows is the flower of life geometry.

The window above the reception is a simpler in complexity design which, to some degree, acts to link the two parts of the building together.

The seminal geometry that is used in this window is that of the nautilus shell and spiral , otherwise known as the Golden Mean spiral. The spiral is the shape of the fluid energy evolving order from chaos. Opening and closing spirals constitute the basic structure of our Universe! One electro-magnetic spiral is moving away from the centre and one gravitational spiral is moving toward the centre, creating a mirror effect of a Universal symbol (similar to that of a star cluster).

The shell of the chambered nautilus is a symbol of beauty and proportional perfection. The proportion of this nautilus shell is consistent through it’s symmetrical relationship within the shell - once you discover the ‘secret ratio’, you will see clearly why this particular gem of nature is such a treasure.

The nautilus shell spiral is a logarithmic spiral similar to other spirals such as the Golden Mean or phi spiral, but with slightly different proportions. A close approximation of a Golden Mean spiral, based on the Fibonacci whole number sequence is illustrated below.

The spiral of the chambered nautilus as well as other logarithmic spirals can be found throughout the human body and nature. This inspiring and energetic form is common throughout nature. You can easily find this form in the plant and animal kingdoms and in cloud patterns and whirlpools alike.

The nautilus shell and spiral has been used as in the creation of the logo for the centre.

The golden mean spiral has been incorporated throughout the interior design, spatial layout, space planning, carpet design and cabinetry.

The spiral is featured in the semi-precious labradorite marble at the reception counter, in the fossil piece above the reception desk and in the water feature.

The essence of the Fibonacci Principle or use of Fibonacci sequences is to ensure each and every proportion is in a comfortable ratio. What appears to be a piece of furniture is actually a mathematically ordered sequence, much like a sunflower or a shell – they are nature’s perfectly ordered sequence.

Standard heights, widths and depths of furniture, shelving, general ‘objects’ have been known and used for hundreds, if not, thousands of years. For example, table heights for eating /working are 750cm. This has been worked out according to ergonomics; the study of human proportions and finding a comfortable height to sit , for most human beings ( there will always be the exceptions, extra ordinary tall or shorter people sometimes need custom made heights to accommodate their proportions) but as a general rule of thumb, ergonomics capture the majority . What are human beings natural proportions based on? The Fibonacci ...remember Leonardo's famous sketch ...

The geometric relationships and archetypal shapes and patterns that occur and reoccur through out the physical universe are deeply rooted in nature.

The Fibonacci sequence is a mathematical sequence where each number in the sequence is determined by adding together the previous two: 0,1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55...

The ratio of adjacent numbers in the sequence progressively approaches the golden mean proportions of 1:1.618.

The Nautilus Fossil

These beautiful fossils are all natural. Some of them have areas that display brightly coloured opalisation.

Nautilus fossils are used to heighten business accomplishments and instil quality within one’s own environment. Fossils also help dispense with the old so that one can be open and receptive to the new. The fossil has a naturally occurring spiral, the basis of the golden mean geometry and integral to the sacred geometry of the design of the Centre.

The Carpet Design

The carpets throughout the health centre are lush and beautifully patterned, replicating falling leaves on a forest floor as found in nature - the design principle, biomimicry, which means to mimic nature, was used in the design of the textile pattern itself.

We find harmony and a greater sense of awareness when exposed to natural environments. Studies show that nature can accelerate the healing process mentally, physically and emotionally. Additionally, studies have proven that exposing patients to natural elements results in a calming effect, thereby reducing stress and allowing patients to focus on healing.

By incorporating the concept of nature underfoot, the carpet strives to create a comfortable and soothing surrounding, while providing patients with acoustical privacy and a non-disruptive environment. From soothing colours of wildflowers to the unobtrusive patterns found on a
wooded path, designs are created with nature and healing in mind.

**Source: Interface Flor Nature brochure
Interface is a member and Sustainability Leadership sponsor of CARE (Carpet America Recovery Effort).  
www.interfacesustainability.com.

As another way in which to infiltrate the symbols of sacred geometry into the health centre , the overall carpet floor layout has been designed to do just this.

Specifically, in the waiting room there is a circle shape to reflect the vesica pisces, amplifying its significance, as, it is also literally a strong partition wall enclosing the waiting area.

There are three tones of colour spaced around this circle inlay to symbolise the triple goddess symbol as three stages in a woman's life: the Maiden, as birth (independent, self-centred, seeking), the Mother, as giving birth (interrelated, compassionate nurturing, creating), and the Crone, as death and renewal (holistic, remote, unknowable).

The Triple Goddess Symbol is also used in the children's play area and is is composed of waxing crescent, full moon, and waning crescent. At times, the crescents are tilted upwards to simulate the appearance of a young waxing moon above the horizon after just after sunset, and of an old waning moon above the horizon just before sunrise.

The symbol is sometimes combined with a pentagram. The crescent consists of a 120° arc inscribed within a 180° arc (i.e. what is left over when a vesica pisces figure is inscribed within a circle). This shape is an approximation to the astronomically-correct crescent moon.

In the Chinese waiting area of the health centre, we have incorporated some wave patterns with very significant and deliberate meanings and intentions.

The ‘Wave Pattern’ used is based on one of the most popular Chinese and Japanese batik patterns. In China, water is said to possess eight qualities: it is clear, cool, healing, soothing, odourless, delicious, light, and soft. The subtle shapes of the watery ‘Wave Pattern’ can be very expressive, and invoking a calmness.

As you walk out of the waiting area to the lower meditation room and various practitioner rooms there is also some discrete markings of a triangular nature.

The triangle is perhaps the most easily recognised geometry. It holds the energetic intention for the meditation area. The triangular shape is created through the use of carpet design and angles in relationship to the walls. The triangle is a symbol for unity. Two always implies three. Triangles express relationship, strength, balance and energy, which make them a natural geometry to select for the meditation area.

The Meditation Area (Upper and Lower floors)

Directly behind the water feature is a meditation room, and above this, via a transition using a helix spiral staircase, is an upper meditation platform.

The geometry reflected here is the double triangle, or star tetrahedron, of one upward pointing triangle and one downward pointing triangle symbolic of the masculine and the feminine.

The geometry is also very much reflected in the human energy filed and is depicted clearly in Leonardo Da Vinci’s famous drawing of the man with outstretched arms and legs.

The incorporation of this geometry has beneficial effects on the human body. As one enters the Mediation Area, one experiences a balance of the magnetic energy that surrounds the human body’s larger magnetic field. As one sits in the meditation space, one is surrounded by a larger magnetic field which assists participants with balance, strength, and to renew and increase physical energy.

The Feature Lighting

The waiting room features light fittings inspired by orbs and spheres of light, which replicate the moon and planets. The precise positioning of each light, again encompasses the star tetrahedron geometry and the Fibonacci sequence of growth.

The light fittings in the upper meditation platform are inspired by the white dove that was living and nesting in the rafters of the cathedral ceilings during construction.

The Traditional Chinese Medicine Area

We have dedicated a specific practitioner space for the practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Specifically designed rooms feature beautiful rosewood-style shelving, cabinets and special drawers which store Chinese medicinal herbs.

The waiting area for the Chinese Medicine rooms is a self-enclosed glass atrium. This was added on as an extension to the passage way and captures the beautiful warming northern light. Waiting in this space will be a pleasure - warm and open with a gorgeous view to a Chinese-inspired garden to the outside and a light atrium garden inside.

Other features include , hand selected Chinese tiles and artworks.

The Use of Colour in the Centre

According to the spectrum of vibration, violet and gold are the shortest wavelength and highest vibration colours. They uplift and bring up the frequency of those who enter this field. The power of coloured light was well understood in ancient times.

We have chosen violet because, though it is a very high vibration colour associated with the brow or third eye chakra of opening intuition, spiritual insight and vision, it also holds properties associated with release and purification as well. When one is relaxed and opened through massage, these beneficial states are enhanced through the use of the high vibrating frequency of purple in these areas.

Healers often use colour in various ways (through crystals, light boxes, direct energy and sound transmission, etc.) to change the vibratory rate of different parts of the physical and etheric bodies.

In this higher vibratory state, the physical body becomes more sensitive and receptive to the healing force which flows through the healer via the etheric and subtle bodies, with the intention of bringing back into harmony, parts that were vibrating out of alignment with the original etheric blueprint of health and well being.

Leonardo Da Vinci wrote: “The power of healing and meditation can be ten times greater under violet light falling through the stained glass window of a sanctuary.”

We have chosen an overall green spectrum based yellow colour for walls and a deeper green for the carpet, because it acts as a balancing tone, creating a feeling of calm, peaceful rest, which is conducive to healing. Green lies midway between red and violet in the colour spectrum and along with its complementary colour rose pink, is associated with the colours emitted by the heart chakra.

Green is a master healing colour in so far as the most important element in healing is to bring whatever is necessary into balance and to assist in maintaining a calm, peaceful energy, attitude and frequency in the space.

Blue is a colour which is often used for inducing a serene and calming feeling in the environment. Blue is associated with the throat chakra and is used to enhance communication and clarity. The reception area upper windows were specifically chosen to contain a beautiful blue based stained glass. The colour that is emitted by these is a real ultra blue tone .