🌍 Standing Beneath the Earth: My Awe-Inspiring Encounter with Gaia at Sherborne Abbey

Last night, I entered Sherborne Abbey and felt like I was in another world. Above me hovered Gaia, a stunning 7-meter illuminated globe by artist Luke Jerram. Slowly rotating in three dimensions and glowing with NASA’s detailed imagery, it seemed as if I was looking at our living, breathing planet from orbit.

I cannot overstate the sense of awe that washed over me. It was more than just an artwork; it was an experience. The atmosphere was alive with Dan Jones’ surround sound composition, rippling through the Abbey’s ancient stones, while hauntingly beautiful music layered in a heartbeat-like rhythm of the Earth itself.

And then the magic deepened. Pianist and singer Michael Ahmadi filled the Abbey with an extraordinary performance, joined by a 16-piece orchestra. Together, they took us on a musical journey through Max Richter’s ethereal soundscapes, the timeless elegance of Vivaldi, and even the comforting uplift of Coldplay. The music rose and fell in harmony with Gaia’s slow rotation, creating a blend of sight, sound, and soul that was truly breath-taking.

For those of us who practise Tai Chi and Qigong, the timing couldn’t have been more perfect. We are moving through the Earth element period in Traditional Chinese Medicine, where the stomach and spleen invite us to feel grounded, nourished, and centred. Beneath Gaia’s glow, I felt exactly that: anchored, yet deeply aware of the vast interconnectedness of life.

This is what astronauts call the Overview Effect — the life-changing realization of Earth’s fragility and unity, seen from space. It’s humbling. It’s inspiring. And it reflects the balance, harmony, and care at the core of Tai Chi and Qigong.

As I stood beneath that slowly turning planet, I was reminded of something essential: the Earth element doesn’t just urge us to care for our bodies and minds, it calls us to care for our planet. To be nourished and to nurture. To ground ourselves while raising our awareness of the bigger picture.

If you have the chance to see Gaia on its world tour, I urge you to go and see it. Words and photos can’t capture the magic; you really must stand beneath it to feel the calm, awe, and connection it inspires.

Last night, I left the Abbey with my feet firmly on the ground and my heart soaring among the stars. 🌍✨

Nothing compares to being there in person, but this video gives you a flavour of the music and the awe-inspiring mood of the evening.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MGd7REz9Ps