The Name Green Phoenix Institute:
The phoenix is a cross-cultural mythological symbol of profound meanings. In the western world, the phoenix – as derived from the Egyptian tradition – is a symbol of death and resurrection, the great transformation. In Persian culture, it is known as the Simurgh and was an ancient teacher. In Chinese, the phoenix is known as Fenghuang and as the second most revered creature – next to the dragon – it symbolizes the union of yin and yang: the principles of polar opposition that create the manifest universe. In Japan, one of its names is Fushich, which means “immortal bird.” And in the Hindu and Buddhist traditions, a related mythological being to the phoenix appears as the Garuda, a divine bird that sometimes has a human face. In Hindu mythology, the Garuda serves as a mount for the Gods Vishnu and Krishna. In the Buddhist tradition, the Garudas are a race of enormous intelligent semi-divine birds. They are a symbol of the true nature of reality in the Tibetan Buddhist Dzogchen tradition, which likens awakened mind to soaring through the sky without leaving a trace behind.
We use the term Phoenix for our institute because of the ancient and universal principles with which this symbol is associated. We realize that in order for humanity to usher in a new worldview that will foster a healthier and happier society, the old ways must pass away and be reborn anew – individually and collectively. But in order to do this successfully, we must learn from and respect the teaching of the ancients: the spiritual sources and the medical traditions that are based on eternal principles. Furthermore, we see this process of rebirth as a natural part of the eternal cycle of yin and yang – the cosmic dance of life and death. And we know that death cannot touch the core of what we are: that mysterious source that is the immortal and universal essence of all that is.
The color green in Chinese philosophy and medicine is associated with the springtime, new growth, new directions, and expansion. In the West, the term “green” has come to be associated with sustainable social systems, specifically food, energy, and building methods. We use the color green to qualify our Phoenix Institute because we seek to establish a new way of applying ancient principles, as represented by the phoenix, in order to bring about a sustainable society. We aim to foster this new growth with what could be called “green” medicine and health practices as well as the ancient teachings of transformation and rejuvenation. In other words, Green Phoenix Institute offers and teaches sustainable traditional methods of healing, health, and spiritual practice to bring about a vision of a sustainable future of healthy, harmonious individuals working towards a healthy, harmonious society. The foundation of this effort is the understanding of the essential unity of reality that is eternal.
For more about the symbolism of the Green Pheonix, see: Mystical Symbolism of the Green Phoenix Blog Entry and Essay
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