Welcome to the virtual art gallery mirroed to reflect the physical exhibit for those who are unable to visit the physical location or want more time to contemplate the art work. Each piece has been carefully chosen to invite mindfulness, spark curiosity, and challenge perception— offering a visual journey that soothes, inspires, and transforms. Let your mind wander, let your thoughts soften, and allow the beauty of each work to shift your perspective.
At The Wellife, we believe that even the most ordinary spaces can be transformed into opportunities for reflection and connection. This exhibit is our way of turning a simple staircase into a moment of mindful beauty —a space where movement and stillness meet, inviting you to engage with art in an unexpected way.
“EVERYBODY NEEDS BEAUTY AS WELL AS BREAD, PLACES TO PLAY IN AND PRAY IN, WHERE NATURE MAY HEAL AND GIVE STRENGTH TO BODY AND SOUL.”
~ JOHN MUIR ~
Note: Some of the artwork at the physical location is under copywright and will not be able to be photographed or mirrored on the virtual art gallery. We appreciate your understanding as we want to respect the artists and organizations that promote any path that captures the creative spark of the human soul.
Art Gallery
Title: Dancers Artist: Edgar Degas Year: ca. 1897 Medium: Pastel over charcoal on paper Origin: France Source: Public domain, courtesy of the Detroit Institute of Arts Description: In this dynamic pastel work, Edgar Degas captures a fleeting moment behind the curtain, where dancers prepare with graceful concentration. The soft layering of pastel evokes movement, vulnerability, and presence—hallmarks of Degas’s ability to portray the poetry of everyday life. The composition invites viewers into an imaginative space, where art becomes a meditation on the body, beauty, and the passage of time. Why The Wellife Chose This Work: At The Wellife, Dancers speaks to the practice of mindfulness as a creative discipline—being present in one's body, focused, and attuned to the moment. The scene aligns with our theme of mindful imagination by honoring the subtle magic in routine gestures, and the quiet, expressive art of becoming. Acquisition: Sourced from public domain collections to support the healing power of beauty and nature, aligning with our theme of mindful imagination as both a creative and ecological act of wellness. Accession Number: WL2025-01
Title: Tree of Knowledge Artist: Hilma af Klint Year: c. 1913–1915 Medium: Gouache and graphite on paper Origin: Sweden Source: Public domain, courtesy of the Hilma af Klint Foundation and Moderna Museet Description: Af Klint’s Tree of Knowledge blends natural and spiritual imagery into a visionary composition. The tree, a timeless symbol of life, wisdom, and connection between realms, is rendered with vibrant geometric patterns that suggest both structure and energy. This piece draws the viewer inward—toward reflection, transformation, and a sense of inner rooting in the midst of mystery. Why The Wellife Chose This Work: At The Wellife, we chose Tree of Knowledge for its integration of ecological and mystical symbols, mirroring our belief that healing happens in relationship—with self, others, and the more-than-human world. This artwork supports our theme of mindful imagination by inviting viewers to see growth as both a spiritual and natural process. It affirms beauty as a source of strength and insight. Acquisition: Acquired through public domain resources for therapeutic and educational display. Accession Number: WL2025-02
Title: The Course of Empire 1 - The Savage State Artist: Thomas Cole Years: 1833–1836 Medium: Oil on canvas Origin: United States Source: Public domain, courtesy of the New-York Historical Society Description: In this sweeping five-part allegorical series, Cole charts the rise and fall of a fictional civilization—tracing a cycle from raw wilderness through flourishing culture to eventual ruin and overgrowth. Each canvas reflects a stage in humanity’s relationship with power, beauty, and nature. When displayed in order, the changing positions of the sun and moon unify the series as a single cosmic day, symbolizing the passage of time and the cycles of life and decay. The work is both a warning and an elegy: a meditation on impermanence, ecological humility, and the quiet resilience of the earth. Why The Wellife Chose This Work: At The Wellife, The Course of Empire offers a powerful visual narrative that echoes our belief in cyclical healing—how wellness, like civilization, is dynamic, vulnerable, and capable of regeneration. Cole’s series aligns with our theme of mindful imagination by inviting contemplation of nature’s wisdom and humanity’s place within it. This visual arc reminds us that beauty, like balance, often emerges not from control, but from coexistence and letting go. Acquisition: Sourced from public domain collections to support the healing power of beauty and nature, aligning with our theme of mindful imagination as both a creative and ecological act of wellness. Accession Number: WL2025-03
Title: The Course of Empire 2 - The Arcadian or Pastoral State Artist: Thomas Cole Years: 1833–1836 Medium: Oil on canvas Origin: United States Source: Public domain, courtesy of the New-York Historical Society Description: In this sweeping five-part allegorical series, Cole charts the rise and fall of a fictional civilization—tracing a cycle from raw wilderness through flourishing culture to eventual ruin and overgrowth. Each canvas reflects a stage in humanity’s relationship with power, beauty, and nature. When displayed in order, the changing positions of the sun and moon unify the series as a single cosmic day, symbolizing the passage of time and the cycles of life and decay. The work is both a warning and an elegy: a meditation on impermanence, ecological humility, and the quiet resilience of the earth. Why The Wellife Chose This Work: At The Wellife, The Course of Empire offers a powerful visual narrative that echoes our belief in cyclical healing—how wellness, like civilization, is dynamic, vulnerable, and capable of regeneration. Cole’s series aligns with our theme of mindful imagination by inviting contemplation of nature’s wisdom and humanity’s place within it. This visual arc reminds us that beauty, like balance, often emerges not from control, but from coexistence and letting go. Acquisition: Sourced from public domain collections to support the healing power of beauty and nature, aligning with our theme of mindful imagination as both a creative and ecological act of wellness. Accession Number: WL2025-03
Title: The Course of Empire 3 - The Consummation of Empire Artist: Thomas Cole Years: 1833–1836 Medium: Oil on canvas Origin: United States Source: Public domain, courtesy of the New-York Historical Society Description: In this sweeping five-part allegorical series, Cole charts the rise and fall of a fictional civilization—tracing a cycle from raw wilderness through flourishing culture to eventual ruin and overgrowth. Each canvas reflects a stage in humanity’s relationship with power, beauty, and nature. When displayed in order, the changing positions of the sun and moon unify the series as a single cosmic day, symbolizing the passage of time and the cycles of life and decay. The work is both a warning and an elegy: a meditation on impermanence, ecological humility, and the quiet resilience of the earth. Why The Wellife Chose This Work: At The Wellife, The Course of Empire offers a powerful visual narrative that echoes our belief in cyclical healing—how wellness, like civilization, is dynamic, vulnerable, and capable of regeneration. Cole’s series aligns with our theme of mindful imagination by inviting contemplation of nature’s wisdom and humanity’s place within it. This visual arc reminds us that beauty, like balance, often emerges not from control, but from coexistence and letting go. Acquisition: Sourced from public domain collections to support the healing power of beauty and nature, aligning with our theme of mindful imagination as both a creative and ecological act of wellness. Accession Number: WL2025-03
Title: The Course of Empire 4 - Destruction Artist: Thomas Cole Years: 1833–1836 Medium: Oil on canvas Origin: United States Source: Public domain, courtesy of the New-York Historical Society Description: In this sweeping five-part allegorical series, Cole charts the rise and fall of a fictional civilization—tracing a cycle from raw wilderness through flourishing culture to eventual ruin and overgrowth. Each canvas reflects a stage in humanity’s relationship with power, beauty, and nature. When displayed in order, the changing positions of the sun and moon unify the series as a single cosmic day, symbolizing the passage of time and the cycles of life and decay. The work is both a warning and an elegy: a meditation on impermanence, ecological humility, and the quiet resilience of the earth. Why The Wellife Chose This Work: At The Wellife, The Course of Empire offers a powerful visual narrative that echoes our belief in cyclical healing—how wellness, like civilization, is dynamic, vulnerable, and capable of regeneration. Cole’s series aligns with our theme of mindful imagination by inviting contemplation of nature’s wisdom and humanity’s place within it. This visual arc reminds us that beauty, like balance, often emerges not from control, but from coexistence and letting go. Acquisition: Sourced from public domain collections to support the healing power of beauty and nature, aligning with our theme of mindful imagination as both a creative and ecological act of wellness. Accession Number: WL2025-03
Title: The Course of Empire 5 - Desolation Artist: Thomas Cole Years: 1833–1836 Medium: Oil on canvas Origin: United States Source: Public domain, courtesy of the New-York Historical Society Description: In this sweeping five-part allegorical series, Cole charts the rise and fall of a fictional civilization—tracing a cycle from raw wilderness through flourishing culture to eventual ruin and overgrowth. Each canvas reflects a stage in humanity’s relationship with power, beauty, and nature. When displayed in order, the changing positions of the sun and moon unify the series as a single cosmic day, symbolizing the passage of time and the cycles of life and decay. The work is both a warning and an elegy: a meditation on impermanence, ecological humility, and the quiet resilience of the earth. Why The Wellife Chose This Work: At The Wellife, The Course of Empire offers a powerful visual narrative that echoes our belief in cyclical healing—how wellness, like civilization, is dynamic, vulnerable, and capable of regeneration. Cole’s series aligns with our theme of mindful imagination by inviting contemplation of nature’s wisdom and humanity’s place within it. This visual arc reminds us that beauty, like balance, often emerges not from control, but from coexistence and letting go. Acquisition: Sourced from public domain collections to support the healing power of beauty and nature, aligning with our theme of mindful imagination as both a creative and ecological act of wellness. Accession Number: WL2025-03
Title: Jacob’s Ladder Artist: William Blake Year: c. 1800 Medium: Watercolor and ink on paper Origin: England Source: Public domain, courtesy of the Tate Britain Description: In Jacob’s Ladder, Blake captures the moment from Genesis where the biblical patriarch Jacob dreams of a ladder stretching from Earth to Heaven, with angels moving between the two realms. Blake's interpretation imbues the ladder with symbolic significance, representing the connection between the physical and divine worlds. The soft blending of colors, ethereal figures, and dramatic vertical movement suggest a spiritual ascent, inviting the viewer to contemplate the intersection of human experience and the divine. Why The Wellife Chose This Work: At The Wellife, Jacob’s Ladder was chosen to evoke the sense of spiritual journey and transcendence. The image of a ladder bridging two realms resonates with our theme of mindful imagination, illustrating the possibility of rising above earthly challenges while remaining grounded in the wisdom of nature and the body. Blake’s work affirms the role of creative imagination as a path toward both personal and collective wellness. Acquisition: Sourced from public domain collections to support the healing power of beauty and nature, aligning with our theme of mindful imagination as both a creative and ecological act of wellness. Accession Number: WL2025-05
Title: The Tree of Life Artist: Gustav Klimt Year: c. 1905 Medium: Mural study (oil and gold leaf on canvas) Origin: Austria Source: Public domain, courtesy of the Museum of Applied Arts (MAK), Vienna Description: Klimt’s The Tree of Life is a swirling, golden vision of nature and spirit, where organic forms meet mythic symbolism. The tree’s spiraling branches stretch infinitely, bridging the earth and heavens in a rhythmic dance of connection. With its stylized forms, rich textures, and golden hues, the artwork reflects a cosmology where all life is sacred and interwoven. Why The Wellife Chose This Work: At The Wellife, The Tree of Life represents a visual meditation on the unity of nature, soul, and creativity. Klimt’s work speaks to our theme of mindful imagination as a sacred ecological act—reminding viewers of the beauty in rootedness, the elegance in impermanence, and the healing found in connection. It invites contemplation of both the mystery and meaning in our shared existence. Acquisition: Sourced from public domain collections to support the healing power of beauty and nature, aligning with our theme of mindful imagination as both a creative and ecological act of wellness. Accession Number: WL2025-06
Title: The Path to Kailas Artist: Nicholas Roerich Year: c. 1933 Medium: Tempera on canvas Origin: Russia/India Source: Public domain, courtesy of the Nicholas Roerich Museum, New York Description: In The Path to Kailas, Roerich portrays a serene yet powerful Himalayan landscape, leading the eye toward the sacred mountain of Kailas—a symbol of spiritual ascent and inner stillness. His use of soft, layered blues and monumental peaks evokes not only physical grandeur but also an atmosphere of reverence and journey. The winding path becomes a metaphor for the soul’s search for peace, insight, and transcendence. Why The Wellife Chose This Work: At The Wellife, this piece resonates as a visual pilgrimage—one that mirrors the emotional and spiritual terrain of healing. Roerich’s sacred mountain path speaks to our theme of mindful imagination as a means to find clarity, purpose, and unity with the natural world. It reminds us that beauty and wellness are found not only at the summit, but all along the path. Acquisition: Sourced from public domain collections to support the healing power of beauty and nature, aligning with our theme of mindful imagination as both a creative and ecological act of wellness. Accession Number: WL2025-07
Title: Sun Rising Over the City Artist: Salomon Trismosin (attributed) Year: c. 1582 (from the Splendor Solis manuscript) Medium: Illuminated manuscript, ink and watercolor on vellum Origin: Germany Source: Public domain, courtesy of the British Library Description: This radiant image from the Splendor Solis, a 16th-century alchemical manuscript, shows the sun emerging over a medieval cityscape—an allegory of illumination, transformation, and rebirth. Alchemy here is not just chemistry but a spiritual process: the rising sun represents the gold of the soul, the awakening of clarity after darkness. The city below, both real and symbolic, holds the tension between the mundane and the mystical. Why The Wellife Chose This Work: At The Wellife, this image was selected for its symbolic richness and invitation to personal alchemy. It aligns with our theme of mindful imagination by framing wellness as a process of inner transformation—a dawn breaking within. The interplay of light, architecture, and archetype mirrors the journey from confusion to clarity, and from survival to soulful integration. Acquisition: Sourced from public domain collections to support the healing power of beauty and nature, aligning with our theme of mindful imagination as both a creative and ecological act of wellness. Accession Number: WL2025-08
Title: Orpheus Leading Eurydice from the Underworld Artist: Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot Year: 1861 Medium: Oil on canvas Origin: France Source: Public domain, courtesy of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston Description: Corot’s luminous interpretation of the myth of Orpheus captures the delicate moment of hope and tragedy as he leads Eurydice back toward the light. The landscape is ethereal, subdued in palette, yet filled with quiet movement and symbolic light. The figures, nearly merging with the misty forest, evoke a sense of impermanence, longing, and the fragility of connection between worlds. Why The Wellife Chose This Work: At The Wellife, this painting was chosen for its poetic depiction of journeying through darkness toward healing and connection. It reflects our theme of mindful imagination by portraying transformation through love, loss, and resilience. Like therapeutic work, the mythic path out of the underworld is one of courage, trust, and the ache of becoming. Acquisition: Sourced from public domain collections to support the healing power of beauty and nature, aligning with our theme of mindful imagination as both a creative and ecological act of wellness. Accession Number: WL2025-09
Title: 7up Lithiated Soda Advertisement Artist/Manufacturer: Seven-Up Company Year: c. 1920s–1930s Medium: Vintage advertising print (reproduction) Origin: United States Source: Public domain reproduction (original advertisement) Description: This early 20th-century advertisement promotes “Bib-Label Lithiated Lemon-Lime Soda”—an early version of 7up that contained lithium citrate, a mood-stabilizing compound now used in psychiatric medication. The bold graphic design and cheerful branding offer a striking contrast to the serious clinical uses of lithium today. It reflects a moment in history when mental health remedies were marketed as everyday wellness drinks. Why The Wellife Chose This Work: At The Wellife, this piece is included as a conversation-starter about the evolving story of mental health care. It reminds us how ideas of wellness, science, and commercial culture intersected—and how far we’ve come in destigmatizing mental health. This sign connects our theme of mindful imagination to history, inviting reflection on both progress and the importance of compassionate care. Acquisition: Sourced from public domain collections for therapeutic and educational display. Accession Number: WL2025-12
Title: Summertime Artist: Mary Cassatt Year: 1894 Medium: Oil on canvas Origin: United States/France Source: Public domain, courtesy of The Terra Foundation for American Art Description: Cassatt’s Summertime captures a quiet moment between two women in a boat, drifting across water with soft movement and gentle companionship. Known for her focus on domestic intimacy and the inner lives of women, Cassatt here evokes a feeling of mindfulness and presence. The natural world surrounds the figures in delicate harmony—still, alive, and reflective. Why The Wellife Chose This Work: At The Wellife, this piece was chosen for its embrace of rest as a radical act of wellness. It mirrors our theme of mindful imagination by offering a visual meditation on slowness, relational connection, and the healing power of nature’s quiet beauty. In a culture that often prizes productivity, Summertime gently insists on the therapeutic value of being. Acquisition: Sourced from public domain collections to support the healing power of beauty and nature, aligning with our theme of mindful imagination as both a creative and ecological act of wellness. Accession Number: WL2025-13
Title: Gibbons Reaching for the Moon Artist: Itō Jakuchū Year: c. 1770 Medium: Ink on paper (hanging scroll) Origin: Japan Source: Public domain, courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art Description: In this elegant monochrome painting, a chain of gibbons extends downward toward a shimmering reflection of the moon—mistaking the illusion for reality. Jakuchū’s masterful brushwork captures both the whimsy and tragedy of striving for the unattainable. The scene, rooted in Zen symbolism, reflects the nature of illusion, longing, and awakening, inviting the viewer to contemplate the fleeting nature of desire and the importance of living fully in the present moment. Zen practices such as archery, flower arranging, and calligraphy use art to cultivate mindfulness and presence, helping practitioners to enter a state of quiet focus—an experience mirrored in the way art can lead us toward Zen states of calm and clarity. Why The Wellife Chose This Work: At The Wellife, Gibbons Reaching for the Moon serves as a reminder that healing is not always found in reaching outward, but in awakening inward. The piece echoes our theme of mindful imagination, encouraging reflection on the stories we chase and the illusions we grasp for. It beautifully aligns with the Zen principles of being present, on purpose, and non-judgmentally, guiding viewers to find peace and self-awareness in the quiet moments of reflection. The artwork’s ecological and contemplative spirit invites us to return to presence and embrace the beauty of simplicity. Acquisition: Sourced from public domain collections to support the healing power of beauty and nature, aligning with our theme of mindful imagination as both a creative and ecological act of wellness. Accession Number: WL2025-14
Title: Cottage Garden Artist: Helen Allingham Year: 1894 Medium: Watercolor on paper Origin: United Kingdom Source: Public domain, courtesy of the Victoria and Albert Museum Description: In Cottage Garden, Allingham captures the peaceful harmony between a quaint English cottage and its lush garden, blooming with flowers and framed by the embrace of nature. The soft tones and fluid brushwork evoke a sense of tranquility, inviting the viewer to imagine stepping into this serene, timeless space. Why The Wellife Chose This Work: At The Wellife, Cottage Garden was chosen for its embodiment of the quiet sanctuary we seek to nurture in our practice—spaces that foster healing through connection to nature. It aligns with our theme of mindful imagination, where beauty offers a space for reflection, slowing down, and attuning to the rhythms of the natural world. Acquisition: Sourced from public domain collections to support the healing power of beauty and nature, aligning with our theme of mindful imagination as both a creative and ecological act of wellness. Accession Number: WL2025-15
Title: Zojoji Temple in Shiba Artist: Hasui Kawase Year: 1925 Medium: Woodblock print Origin: Japan Source: Public domain, courtesy of the Art Institute of Chicago Description: Hasui Kawase’s Zojoji Temple in Shiba captures the tranquility of the temple in the Shiba district of Tokyo, bathed in the soft glow of evening light. The print’s sweeping lines and subtle colors reflect a peaceful coexistence between architecture and nature, invoking the serenity of sacred spaces where the natural world offers a backdrop for spiritual reflection. Why The Wellife Chose This Work: At The Wellife, this print was selected for its serene depiction of sacred architecture, illustrating the intersection of nature, spirituality, and mindfulness. It aligns with our theme of mindful imagination, encouraging reflection on the peaceful balance between human-made structures and the natural world, and the healing power of sacred spaces for body and soul. Acquisition: Sourced from public domain collections to support the healing power of beauty and nature, aligning with our theme of mindful imagination as both a creative and ecological act of wellness. Accession Number: WL2025-16
Title: Red, Yellow, Blue Artist: Wassily Kandinsky Year: 1925 Medium: Oil on canvas Origin: Germany Source: Public domain, courtesy of the Guggenheim Museum Description: In Red, Yellow, Blue, Kandinsky explores the emotional and spiritual power of color, using abstract forms to express the dynamic interaction of primary hues. The composition’s balance of colors and geometric shapes evokes a sense of rhythm, energy, and transcendence. As one of the pioneers of abstract art, Kandinsky sought to connect visual elements with inner experience and emotion. Why The Wellife Chose This Work: At The Wellife, Red, Yellow, Blue was chosen for its vibrant expression of creativity and its ability to evoke deep emotional responses. It aligns with our theme of mindful imagination, offering a dynamic invitation to reflect on how color and form can influence well-being. The artwork encourages an openness to both the inner and outer worlds, bridging creativity with wellness in a powerful visual language. Acquisition: Sourced from public domain collections to support the healing power of beauty and nature, aligning with our theme of mindful imagination as both a creative and ecological act of wellness. Accession Number: WL2025-17
Title: The Castle of the Pyrenees Artist: René Magritte Year: 1959 Medium: Oil on canvas Origin: Belgium Source: Public domain, courtesy of The Magritte Museum Description: In The Castle of the Pyrenees, Magritte presents a surreal scene where a massive rock floats above the ocean, carrying with it a castle. The juxtaposition of the natural and the imagined creates an enigmatic, dreamlike atmosphere that challenges our perception of space, gravity, and reality. The piece invites viewers into a world where boundaries dissolve, and imagination reigns. Why The Wellife Chose This Work: At The Wellife, The Castle of the Pyrenees was selected for its embodiment of the power of imagination to transcend the limits of the physical world. It aligns with our theme of mindful imagination, encouraging reflection on the expansive nature of the mind and the ways we can stretch beyond conventional boundaries to achieve wellness. The artwork also speaks to the ecological significance of our relationship with the natural world, offering a metaphor for the psychological landscapes we navigate in our pursuit of peace. Acquisition: Sourced from public domain collections to support the healing power of beauty and nature, aligning with our theme of mindful imagination as both a creative and ecological act of wellness. Accession Number: WL2025-18
Title: Les Voix Intérieures – 3ème Mouvement Artist: Didier Mazuru Year: 1984–1985 Medium: Oil on wood Dimensions: 80.5 × 100 cm Origin: France Source: Public domain, courtesy of Wikimedia Commons Image Credit: Didier Mazuru, CC BY-SA 4.0 Description: In Les Voix Intérieures – 3ème Mouvement, Mazuru delves into the subconscious through surreal and abstract forms. The composition features organic, bulbous shapes that evoke a sense of movement and introspection. The interplay of colors and textures invites viewers to explore the inner workings of the mind, reflecting on the complex layers of human emotion and thought. Why The Wellife Chose This Work: At The Wellife, this piece was selected for its profound exploration of the inner psyche. It aligns with our theme of mindful imagination by encouraging reflection on the unseen and often unspoken aspects of our consciousness. The artwork serves as a reminder of the importance of introspection and self-awareness in our journey toward mental wellness. Acquisition: Sourced from public domain collections to support the healing power of beauty and nature, aligning with our theme of mindful imagination as both a creative and ecological act of wellness. Accession Number: WL2025-19
Title: The Buddha Artist: Odilon Redon Year: c. 1905 Medium: Oil on canvas Origin: France Source: Public domain, courtesy of The Art Institute of Chicago Description: In this radiant composition, Redon presents the Buddha seated in serene meditation beneath a blossoming tree, enveloped in an ethereal, dreamlike garden of fantastical blooms. The figure dissolves gently into the natural world, embodying a state of spiritual unity and profound calm. Redon’s vision resonates with Zen aesthetics, where art becomes a gateway to stillness—like flower arranging or brush painting, this work invites the viewer into a meditative state of quiet awareness and centeredness. Why The Wellife Chose This Work: At The Wellife, The Buddha reflects the therapeutic value of contemplative imagery and the power of beauty to guide the soul inward. This artwork supports our theme of mindful imagination as both a creative and ecological act of wellness. It honors the tenets of mindfulness—being present, on purpose, and without judgment—offering a visual sanctuary for reflection, breath, and inner peace. Acquisition: Sourced from public domain collections to support the healing power of beauty and nature, aligning with our theme of mindful imagination as both a creative and ecological act of wellness. Accession Number: WL2025-20
Poetry
Title: The Rhodora Author: Ralph Waldo Emerson Year: 1834 Medium: Poetry (Printed Text) Origin: United States Source: Public domain, via public archives Description: In this contemplative poem, Emerson encounters a blooming rhodora in the woods and reflects on the mystery of beauty that exists unseen. Through vivid natural imagery and mystical insight, the poem evokes the power of creative imagination to reveal the sacred in the everyday. Emerson’s lines suggest that beauty is not defined by an audience, but by presence itself. Why The Wellife Chose This Work: The Rhodora echoes The Wellife’s values of mindful imagination—being present, on purpose, and without judgment. Its quiet wonder invites reflection and honors the healing power of nature’s unnoticed moments. The poem aligns with our mission to support wellness through poetic attention and soulful creativity. Acquisition: Sourced from public domain collections to support the healing power of beauty and nature, aligning with our theme of mindful imagination as both a creative and ecological act of wellness. Accession Number: WL2025-21
Title: Many Paths Author: Ikkyū Sōjun Translator: R.H. Blyth Year: 15th century (original), 20th century (translation) Medium: Poetry (Printed Text) Origin: Japan Source: Public domain translation Description: In Many Paths, Ikkyū distills spiritual insight into a few spare, potent lines, evoking the clarity of a Zen master and the creativity of a poet. The poem reflects on the simplicity of awakening and the futility of overcomplicating the journey. With quiet irony and deep compassion, Ikkyū reminds us that the sacred is already here. Why The Wellife Chose This Work: This poem speaks to The Wellife’s theme of mindful imagination as a path toward wellness. Its minimalism, humor, and honesty invite us to approach healing and self-discovery with presence, humility, and non-judgment. In honoring the intersection of poetic expression and spiritual clarity, Many Paths reflects both the mystical and restorative power of language. Acquisition: Sourced from public domain collections to support the healing power of beauty and nature, aligning with our theme of mindful imagination as both a creative and ecological act of wellness. Accession Number: WL2025-22
Title: The Song of Wandering Aengus Author: William Butler Yeats Year: 1899 Medium: Poetry (Printed Text) Origin: Ireland Source: Public domain, from The Wind Among the Reeds (1899) Description: Yeats' luminous poem follows a mythic journey of longing, imagination, and the pursuit of transcendent beauty. Drawing from Irish folklore and the figure of Aengus, god of love and dreams, the poem blends mystical vision with earthly desire. Each stanza stirs the reader to awaken their own inner wanderer. Why The Wellife Chose This Work: At The Wellife, this poem reflects the heart of our mission—honoring the creative and mindful imagination as a path toward inner clarity and soulful presence. Aengus’s yearning speaks to the human spirit’s quest for meaning and wonder, reminding us to stay curious, poetic, and attuned to life’s quiet magic. Acquisition: Sourced from public domain collections to support the healing power of beauty and nature, aligning with our theme of mindful imagination as both a creative and ecological act of wellness. Accession Number: WL2025-23
Title: The Guest House Author: Jalāl al-Dīn Rūmī Translator: Coleman Barks Year: 13th century (original), 20th century (translation) Medium: Poetry (Printed Text) Origin: Persia (Iran) Source: Public domain translation widely circulated from The Essential Rumi Description: In this timeless poem, Rūmī imagines the self as a guest house, open to every emotion and experience. With gentle wisdom, he encourages the reader to welcome all visitors—joy, sorrow, anger—as necessary guests on the journey of life. The poem celebrates vulnerability as a gateway to transformation and grace. Why The Wellife Chose This Work: At The Wellife, The Guest House embodies our mindfulness-based values of presence, acceptance, and non-judgment. Its spiritual depth and poetic beauty serve as a reminder that every emotion has a place in the healing process. This work honors the mystical heart of being fully human. Acquisition: Sourced from public domain collections to support the healing power of beauty and nature, aligning with our theme of mindful imagination as both a creative and ecological act of wellness. Accession Number: WL2025-24
Title: The Brain—is wider than the Sky Poet: Emily Dickinson Year: c. 1862 Medium: Poetry Origin: Amherst, Massachusetts Source: Public domain, originally published posthumously in 1890 Description: In this compact but expansive poem, Emily Dickinson explores the vastness of the human mind and its capacity to contain, perceive, and mirror the universe. With bold metaphysical vision, she places consciousness in direct comparison with the sky, the sea, and even divine presence. The poem evokes the mysticism of inner life and the mysterious intelligence behind thought itself. Why The Wellife Chose This Work: At The Wellife, this poem echoes our belief in the healing power of imagination and the transformative potential of mindful reflection. It affirms the internal vastness within each person—an ocean of awareness deeper than the world outside. In a space dedicated to growth and insight, Dickinson’s words remind us that creativity and consciousness are vital to wellness and wonder. Acquisition: Sourced from public domain collections to support the healing power of beauty and nature, aligning with our theme of mindful imagination as both a creative and ecological act of wellness. Accession Number: WL2025-25
Title: Fragment 16 (“Some Say”)* Poet: Sappho Year: c. 6th century BCE Medium: Poetry (Fragment) Origin: Lesbos, Ancient Greece Source: Public domain, translated by Anne Carson in If Not, Winter Description: In this surviving fragment, Sappho challenges traditional notions of beauty and power, declaring that what one loves is the most beautiful thing on earth. Her lyrical voice elevates longing and personal truth as greater than armies or empires. The poem floats between myth and feeling, anchoring the universal in the intimately human. Why The Wellife Chose This Work: At The Wellife, this fragment honors the mystical wisdom of inner devotion and imagination. In a world shaped by external pressures, Sappho’s words gently return us to the clarity of mindful presence—reminding us to seek beauty not in conquest, but in the tender clarity of what we cherish. Her ancient voice reflects our belief in healing through poetic reflection and the heart’s quiet knowing. Acquisition: Sourced from public domain collections to support the healing power of beauty and nature, aligning with our theme of mindful imagination as both a creative and ecological act of wellness. Accession Number: WL2025-26
Title: On Imagination (Part 1) Poet: Phillis Wheatley Year: 1773 Medium: Poetry Origin: Boston, Massachusetts, USA Source: Public domain, from Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral (1773) Description: In this luminous ode, Phillis Wheatley exalts imagination as a celestial force, capable of soaring beyond winter’s grasp and awakening life within the soul. She personifies imagination as divine, vibrant, and free—transcending earthly limits with visionary power. Through neoclassical elegance, she reveals imagination not only as a poetic gift but as a path toward liberation and transcendence. Why The Wellife Chose This Work: At The Wellife, On Imagination speaks directly to our theme of mindful imagination as a source of creative and spiritual wellness. Wheatley, as one of America’s first published Black poets, reminds us of the power of inner vision to rise beyond outer circumstance. Her reverence for imagination mirrors our values of presence, purpose, and the healing freedom found in creative awakening. Acquisition: Sourced from public domain collections to support the healing power of beauty and nature, aligning with our theme of mindful imagination as both a creative and ecological act of wellness. Accession Number: WL2025-27
