Painting Liberation: A Visual Ontology of the Path Within
These recent paintings revisit and visually translate the complex sūtras about the final steps in ultimate liberation from Kaivalya Pāda, the fourth and culminating book in the Yogasūtra of Patañjali. The paintings serve as a form of visual ontology, inviting viewers to engage with abstract philosophical concepts in a sensory, tangible way, exploring how Yoga philosophy bridges the gap between mind and reality in the pursuit of liberation – a liberation that is our birthright, but which we fail to see.
![Perception
2025. Oil on canvas. 16” x 20”
Yoga Sūtra 4.22: The unchanging consciousness becomes aware of intellect when it [the intellect] takes the form [of an object].](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/677dbb3375c7077642913d35/a6825600-6f71-4633-9b92-e2ce6426ae71/1.Perception.Work_Townsend.jpg)
Perception 2025. Oil on canvas. 16” x 20” Yoga Sūtra 4.22: The unchanging consciousness becomes aware of intellect when it [the intellect] takes the form [of an object].
The Nature of the Seen/The Guṇas, 2025, oil on canvas, 16” x 20”. These are the elements of material reality: clarity (sattva), activity (rajas) and stability (tamas).
Consciousness is Always Aware. 2025. Oil on canvas. 16” x 20”. Yoga Sūtra 4.18: The activities of citta (the mind) are always known, because Consciousness (the lord of the mind, puruṣa ), is unchangeable.
Cessation of the "Story Of Me" 2025, oil on canvas, 21” x 35”. Yoga Sūtra 4.25: Cultivating the story of “me” ceases when there is the full understanding of the distinction between the Self and the mind.
Gravitation Toward Kaivalya. 2025, oil on canvas, 21” x 35”. Yoga Sūtra 4.26, Then, the mind inclined toward discriminating wisdom (viveka) gravitates toward non-dependent liberation (kaivalya).
![Shadow of Habit. 2025, Oil on canvas, 21” x 35”. Yoga Sūtra 4.27:
During the intervals [between discriminating wisdom], thoughts that interrupt meditative absorption arise, due to remains of ingrained habit patterns (saṁskāras).](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/677dbb3375c7077642913d35/2f0e6df2-5143-42fa-be6f-50a7250616c1/6.YogaSu%CC%84tra.4.27.Work_Townsend.jpg)
Shadow of Habit. 2025, Oil on canvas, 21” x 35”. Yoga Sūtra 4.27: During the intervals [between discriminating wisdom], thoughts that interrupt meditative absorption arise, due to remains of ingrained habit patterns (saṁskāras).
Dharma-Megha Samādhi. 2025, oil on canvas, 21” x 35”. Yoga Sūtra 4.29: For the one who is disinterested in meditative knowledge, and having a complete vision of discernment, there is dharma-meghaḥ samādhi (highest state of meditative absorption).
![Perception Of Sequence & Stilling of Time. 2025, oil on canvas, 51” x 64”
Yoga Sūtra 4.33: Succession, corresponding to moments, is perceivable at the final cessation of the transformations [of the guṇas].](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/677dbb3375c7077642913d35/c0269d38-2585-4ba7-9ee4-15fd00e96ef7/8.YogaSu%CC%84tra.4.33.Work_Townsend.jpg)
Perception Of Sequence & Stilling of Time. 2025, oil on canvas, 51” x 64” Yoga Sūtra 4.33: Succession, corresponding to moments, is perceivable at the final cessation of the transformations [of the guṇas].
![Kaivalya, 2025, oil on canvas, 16” x 20”. Yoga Sūtra 4.34: Only-ness [with the Self] (kaivalya) is when material reality is (the guṇas are) devoid of purpose for the Self (puruṣa) and are re-absorbed (return to origin). Or [it is] the establishment](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/677dbb3375c7077642913d35/cfc161cc-cb07-4f9b-bf15-856a47eb90c8/9.Pratiprasavah%CC%A3.Work_Townsend.jpg)
Kaivalya, 2025, oil on canvas, 16” x 20”. Yoga Sūtra 4.34: Only-ness [with the Self] (kaivalya) is when material reality is (the guṇas are) devoid of purpose for the Self (puruṣa) and are re-absorbed (return to origin). Or [it is] the establishment of the power of consciousness to its own form.
Vyomātītam, 2025, oil on canvas, 16” x 20.5”. Vyomātītam means “transcending the sky.”