Secret Samadhi Tattoo Help Options

[Voodoout]

Hi,

Just found this site and been a fan since Mental Jewelry. Secret Samadhi has particular significance to my wife and I and we’d both like to get the Secret Samadhi mask as a tattoo. The problem is I'd like to know what the heck something means before I permanently affix to my body. I can’t find anything anywhere on what the meaning of the mask is. I’ve seen a couple comments that it’s Lakini but upon further research that seems to be false.

Does anyone know? Thanks!

[san_sao]

Does anyone know? Thanks!

I don't know for sure, but I assume it's actually a western rendering of one of the wrathful deities from the Tibetan Book of the Dead. Have a look on Google at some of those.

[Voodoout]

I don't know for sure, but I assume it's actually a western rendering of one of the wrathful deities from the Tibetan Book of the Dead. Have a look on Google at some of those.

Thanks! It looks more Hindu to me. Samadhi mean joyous meditation in Sanskrit which is Hindu. Although I know Buddhist share a lot in common with Hindu.

I read a previous post where someone said the “secret” in Secret Samadhi is that nobody knows what the mask means. I’m starting to think that comment was not made in jest.

[Voodoo Lady]

Did you happen to see this thread? I haven’t listened to the interview, but it’s about the guy who did artwork for TC and SS. Maybe there’s something in here that will help with your question.

http://www.fansoflive.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=6476

[dangum]

Thanks! It looks more Hindu to me. Samadhi mean joyous meditation in Sanskrit which is Hindu. Although I know Buddhist share a lot in common with Hindu.

The image was custom made. I will post more information and links below.

I read a previous post where someone said the “secret” in Secret Samadhi is that nobody knows what the mask means. I’m starting to think that comment was not made in jest.

The "secret" is that if you turn the image upside down then it's smiling.

Listen to the following podcasts for more information about Secret Samadhi from two guys who worked on the album artwork.

Todd Gallopo (this interview is very good)
Undercovers - interview with Todd Gallopo, this guy was involved in the artwork for TC, SS

Tim Stedman (this interview not so much)
Undercovers - interview with Tim Stedman, this guy was involved in the artowrk for TC, SS and V

Read this thread for some more info on Secret Samadhi (including email correspondence from the Todd)
Live Members to Release Rarities!

The final version of the package kept most of my design -- except the cover which added the face was created by another designer. I didn’t find out about the cover art/design change until the CD was released, and was never told who created the face art.

link

Hi Jess,

It was a custom design done by an illustrator friend of mine. It was inspired
and derived from several ancient cultures. The real secret is that there are two
faces in the mask, one right side up and one upside down. wink.gif
Cheers,


todd gallopo
sent from my iPad thingy

link

From Tim Stedman:

Hi Jess,

Yes, that was a project I was responsible for quite a while ago. The mask design/idea was in inspired by Balinese masks that we researched. A friend named Ivory worked on the mask design based on that research for the cover if my memory is correct.

What is your interest and can you tell me something about yourself?

—tim

link

from Tim Stedman:

Jess,

I had heard the record and was quite familiar with the band. I was also the art director and designer for Throwing Copper and was involved in many of the band's projects over time. I was creative director at MCA Records and also worked on many projects for Radioactive Records, who were affiliated with MCA.

I hired Todd Gallopo when I was at MCA. We have a long history together, have worked on many projects together, and remain very good friends.

I am also still friendly with the guys in LIVE although I am not in regular contact with them. As you probably know, they are good guys.

I appreciate your interest in the cover. I liked that project very much and thought it deserved more attention than it got at the time. The ideas of the band, and I would say especially Ed Kowalczyk, were influential to the approach. I'm fairly certain the idea of the mask was mine and research into masks led us to the Balinese masks that worked both right-side up and upside down. Hence the "secret" of Secret Samadhi. Ed was increasing influenced by eastern religions at the time (and may still be). This certainly played a role in our thinking.

The artwork was executed in a varnish only, so it was hard to see in some applications and certainly on the internet. If you can find one of the posters we made, they were beautiful and I believe were printed in metallic silver ink. I don't think I even have one anymore.

Again, thanks for your nice compliments. I haven't thought about the project for awhile but it's nice to know that it continues to hold influence for people. You're kind to ask about it.

—tim

link

[dangum]

If you want a high quality image of the Secret Samadhi logo then you can get it here:

http://i.imgur.com/pbNxa8U.gif

source

[san_sao]

Thanks Dangum. My copy is in storage and I couldn't find liner notes on the album artist to save my life. Balinese masks would probably be Hindu, so OP was right. My ex used to have one of those mask s hanging in his apartment and I never made the connection with SS until now.

[Voodoout]

You guys are amazing! Thanks so much.