The Path to Enlightenment: Mystic Embrace

The Path to Enlightenment: Mystic Embrace

Forged steel, 91 x 71 cm x 183 cm

By Pamela Bendio

The Path to Enlightenment depicts a flowing road leading up to a horizon marked by mountains and sky with the sun as the focal point. Arriving at the hilltop, the travelers are confronted by a great gulf between them and the elusive horizon. Looking through the opening in the sky, the travelers see the sun representing their desired destination of enlightenment. When properly aligned, the travelers find their image is mirrored in the sun and they are now looking back at where they have been, thereby generating a mystic embrace with their potential selves.


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The Path to Enlightenment: Mystic Embrace

Forged steel, 91 x 71 cm x 183 cm

By Pamela Bendio


“Thus we see that the Lord is merciful unto all who will, in the sincerity of their hearts, call upon his holy name.

“Yea, thus we see that the gate of heaven is open unto all, even to those who will believe on the name of Jesus Christ, who is the Son of God.

“Yea, we see that whosoever will may lay hold upon the word of God, which is quick and powerful, which shall divide asunder all the cunning and snares and the wiles of the devil, and lead the man of Christ in a strait and narrow course across that everlasting gulf of misery which is prepared to engulf the wicked.

“And land their souls, yea, their immortal souls, at the right hand of God in the kingdom of heaven, to sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and with all our holy fathers to go no more out.”

Book of Mormon, Helaman 3: 27-30

The Path to Enlightenment: Mystic Embrace is a visual remembrance of the greatness of God and the promises He has made to His children, that as we become men and women of Christ, that Christ is able to lead us in a strait and narrow course and return us safely to God’s presence. This sculpture depicts a narrowing path leading to a hilltop where the distant horizon is marked by mountains (temples), sky (the heavens), and looking beyond the horizon of this life to the sun (the kingdom of God as well as the Son of God) as the focal point.
Arriving at the hilltop, the travelers are confronted by a great gulf – the gulf of everlasting misery, which is prepared to engulf the wicked – that stands between them and the elusive horizon. Looking through the opening in the sky (the gate of heaven), which is open unto all those who will believe on the name of Jesus Christ, the travelers see the sun representing their desired destination of enlightenment as they become even as He is.
Thus properly aligned and qualified, the travelers find unity with God and Christ as their image is mirrored in the sun and they are held there in a mystic embrace with their potential, fully-developed selves. Thus we see that Christ has led them across that great gulf and landed their immortal souls in the kingdom of heaven as He promised He would. Here the traveler is at home mingling with the prophets of God and finding rest with them.
The sculpture itself sits on a base of water in motion – representing the turbulence of trials and tribulations, but also the waters of life, or being nourished by the good word of God. The travelers’ knowledge of God’s words and His promises allows them to pause and view, at any moment, their journey from God’s perspective, rejoicing in His goodness and mercy, praising His power to redeem them, and joyfully acknowledging all the other great blessings God bestows upon them.

Undergraduate Research & Creative Opportunties Grant (URCO)
Women's Art - Women's Vision: National Women's History Celebration
Student Showcase, pg. 21

Photography by Kristie Bezold