We thought our community would be interested in some of the decision-making and symbolism behind the new book and RDG icon design.

The colors were inspired by a 19th century Tibetan painting located at the Ruben Museum in New York City: Tara Protecting From the Eight Fears. These colors are also used throughout our website and social media. We also enjoy that the colors feel inviting and friendly and that because of their brightness, the book can be spotted from across the room.

The circle on the cover of the book is sectioned into eight different parts and represents the Eightfold Path. Just like us, it’s imperfect, perhaps a bit wonky. It symbolizes our ongoing journey on this path and how we continue to grow and recognize areas of our practice that could use some more attention and care. The circle, with its many colors and varying internal shapes, can also represent the diversity that our global sangha contains and how, without that diversity, we would not be whole.

The triangles on the back of the book represent the Three Jewels of the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha and the four columns going up the spine of the book symbolize the Four Noble Truths, which serve at the foundation of our program and path (and which literally hold the book together).