The work represents the idea that our existence depends on a system of interconnectedness and collective cooperation, while the pineal gland reminds us that this awareness cannot be fully grasped without a deeper vision that embraces the inner and spiritual world.

Humanity, therefore, is called to ‘see’ through both lenses: the ecological and the inner. Only by recognising the interdependence between living beings and cultivating a higher awareness can we aspire to a life in balance with nature and our own being. The Mycelium sees and the pineal gland together offer us a philosophy of union, in which the microcosm of the individual and the macrocosm of nature intertwine into a single web of life and meaning.

Reggio Emilia, 7.01.2025

The Third Eye of Nature: Mycelium, Pineal Gland and the Vision of Universal Interconnection

The work Mycelium sees and the philosophical concept related to the pineal gland intertwine in a profound reflection on the interconnection between nature, humanity and consciousness. Both themes, although belonging to apparently distinct domains – one rooted in the natural and biological world, the other in that of the psyche and spirituality – converge in a single narrative that celebrates the fundamental unity of life and the human potential to perceive it.

The mycelium network: a collective vision of life

In the mycelium, an underground network that unites trees in mutual support, a natural intelligence is manifested that is capable of overcoming individualism. Through the mycelium, trees exchange vital resources not only with their fellows, but also with different species, implicitly recognising that their own survival depends on the health of the entire ecosystem. This network becomes a symbol of an ecological awareness that humanity has often forgotten: life is not an isolated phenomenon, but a fragile and interdependent balance in which every living being is both beneficiary and donor.

The pineal gland: the centre of interiority and spiritual connection

The pineal gland, also called the ‘Third Eye’, represents the place of connection between mind and body, between material and immaterial. For Descartes, it was the seat of the soul, the privileged point where the interaction between res cogitans and res extensa takes place. This small organ, which oversees circadian rhythms and receives information from the outside world via light, is also symbolically associated with ‘inner sight’, a capacity to perceive beyond the visible, towards a deeper dimension of reality.

A philosophy of interconnection

Although the mycelium and the pineal gland belong to different planes – the former biological and ecological, the latter neurophysiological and spiritual – they share a common message: the need to see what usually escapes superficial perception. If the mycelium embodies a tangible, physical network that connects trees in mutual support, the pineal gland represents an invisible network, a bridge between the material and immaterial worlds, between the individual and the cosmos. Both suggest the existence of a higher vision, a universal intelligence or awareness that transcends individuality.

The mycelium and the pineal: two ‘eyes’ of nature

In the mycelium, we can see the ‘third eye’ of nature, a biological network that makes it possible for organisms to survive by sharing vital resources. Similarly, the pineal gland, called the ‘third eye’ in the spiritual tradition, is configured as a gateway to an inner vision, a connection to the deeper dimension of reality and to a collective awareness.

Both symbols, therefore, offer a vision that challenges the dominant individualism: the mycelium invites us to see our mutual dependence with the natural world, while the pineal gland urges us to explore the inner self, recognising that individual consciousness is part of a larger network of spiritual connection.

Light and shadow: a guide to universal vision

Both the mycelium and the pineal gland respond symbolically to the interplay between light and darkness. The mycelium thrives underground, hidden from light, but essential to visible life above ground. The pineal gland, on the other hand, is sensitive to the light that drives the human being’s circadian rhythm, but its most significant activity occurs during darkness, where the potential of ‘inner vision’ emerges. In both cases, light – real or symbolic – becomes a guide to perceiving what is beyond the visible: the vital network of the mycelium or the spiritual and cognitive potential of the pineal.

A lesson for mankind

The integration of the two concepts offers a powerful metaphor for mankind: the mycelium teaches us that our existence depends on a system of collective interconnection and cooperation, while the pineal gland reminds us that this awareness cannot be fully grasped without a deeper vision that embraces the inner and spiritual world.

Humanity, therefore, is called to ‘see’ through both lenses: the ecological and the inner. Only by recognising the interdependence between living beings and cultivating a higher awareness can we aspire to a life in balance with nature and our own being. The Mycelium sees and the pineal gland together offer us a philosophy of union, in which the microcosm of the individual and the macrocosm of nature intertwine into a single web of life and meaning.

C. Mottola

Critico d’arte presso MACM

www.macm.com