Awareness : The navel (omphalos) of the Universe is everywhere
AXIS MUNDI
“ Every Microcosm, every inhabited region, has a centre , that is to say, a place that is sacred above all ‘ - Mircea Eliade
The concept of the Axis Mundi deeply reflects the idea of the ‘Omphalos’ (navel ) of the World and the entire Universe. The Omphalos is a large carved stone monument discovered at the ìmportant archeoligical site of Apollos temple in Delphi , Greece and was recognised as marking Delphi as the cosmological navel of the universe.
If is believed that the ‘ omphalos' - navel marks the precise centre of the universe and that it is the central point from which all life on Earth originated.
According to ancient Greek mythology, Zeus released two eagles to opposite ends of the World to find the centre of the Earth. The two eagles met at Delphi and this is where the navel of Mother Earth was located and discovered as a carved stone . The navel or omphalos stone became a connection point between the earthly and the divine - a portal through which the Greeks believed they could communicate with the gods .
In ancient India, altars in temples and homes were honoured as a microcosm of the Universe mirroring its components in the expansions, planets, constellations and galaxies.
According to the mythology of the incas, the lower underground hidden World converged with the visible upper material World at Cusco in Peru . They bestowed the title of ( Qosqo) ‘ navel of the World ‘ on this city. Here homage was paid to their gods, the Sun, Water, Moon and Earth .
Navel can also refer to a ‘ meeting point ‘ - a sacred centre, place of safety and ceremony ; a solid space anchoring and honouring the divine link between the Heavens ( upper World ) and the Earth ( physical World ).
Axis mundi is also called the cosmic axis , world pillar, centre of the World, or world tree and like omphalos extends its meaning to the concept of representing the connection between the upper and lower Worlds.
Throughout the many ancient, indigenous and contemporary traditions, mythologies and cultures from all over the Earth, designated plants, trees, mountains , crosses, staircases, poles or pillars, obelisks , towers, stupas and temples serve as sites of axis mundi and omphalos. Mountains as cosmic centres of sacred reverence include Mount Kailash, Adam's Peak, Mount Meru, Mount Shasta and Hara Berez.
The concept or idea of a central point or navel is a universal idea, where a specific location or focal point is designated as a link, bridge, portal or channel between man/ woman and the divine .
In truth - you also are the centre of your own Universe and are always the focal point, the central axis mundi , the omphalos where everything unfolds moment to moment in it's own unique way. Maybe there is no actual centre of the Universe - because in reality there are no edges, boundaries and separate places at all.
The famous image of the Vitruvian man by Leonardo da Vinci represents a symbolic, geometrical and mathematical representation of the human form as Axis Mundi - World axis - the living omphalos .
Although external collective meeting places dedicated to honouring the sacred, are of great worth and benefit to all who bathe in their grace , its good to remember that we can find great strength in our true essence. The axis mundi, the omphalos is who we already are, everyone of us. Remember who you are , who we all are - as the One we are. The centre of the Universe is you .