Mandalas
What is mandala? Mandala is `circle´ in the Sanskrit language, and mandala art refers to symbols that are drawn, sketched or painted in a circular frame. Mandala art has been used throughout the world as a process of self-expression, in the service of personal growth and spiritual transformation. Tibetan Buddhism has employed mandala art for thousands of years to capture the images of gods which it believes. Navajo sand painters use them in their healing rites. Many native people use the Medicine Wheel, a mandala form, to connect to earth energies and the wisdom of nature.
Flower Mandala
Mandalas are designs that take the form of a circle symbolizing the notion that life is never ending. Many mandalas have spiritual significance to an individual or group of individuals and some times they are used in rituals. The Hindus were one of the first people to use a mandala as a spiritual tool and this was long ago but the mandalas most are familiar with are the ones made by Buddhists.
Many times mandalas are used for meditation purposes so that the individual meditating can become one with the universe. There are not many that can achieve this state of mind just from studying a mandala. The symbolism behind the creation of a mandala can have significant meaning for all people whether they are Buddhist, Jewish, Christian, Pagan, or any other religion.
They can be created by an individual to symbolize their journey through life. Mandalas can also tell the story of where the person has been and many times will relate to that person where they should go in life through their own personal revelation. A group can create a mandala that will reveal what they should be doing in order to grow and develop as a group.
Mandalas From Tibet
The Tibetan Monks are most famous for creating mandalas from colored sand. Monks study for about three years to learn all the symbols to be used in creation of a mandala. They learn the geometric shapes to be used and strive to become one with their work as they add sand to the creation. In most cases, four monks create four sections of the mandala each, with a helper that colors in the outlines they make in the mandala. The eight must work as one person and that is the beauty of creating the mandala in the first place.
It is interesting to know that after spending weeks and weeks making the Tibetan sand mandalas a broom is taken to the creation and the sand is collected and taken to the nearest body of water. It released into the water so that all that use the water will benefit from the blessings of the mandala. Think of the mentality of those monks that created the masterpiece only to have it brushed away. This would truly take a feat of selflessness.
There are a set of plans and instructions for creating mandalas within each spiritual entity. There are set symbols and set rituals for creating the symbols. There is often a set order in which to place the symbols. Constructing a mandala is sometimes painstakingly intense, yet that is the beauty of creating one.
Mandalas for the Common Folk
Although mandalas are frequently linked to religious groups and individuals they do not have to be religious in nature. In making your own mandala the focus may be the home and family, the education of the individual, the job; their existence in general. Making a mandala may help in deciding whether to take a new job, to move to a new town, to take a totally different direction than the conscious mind thinks is best.
Making Your Own Mandala
To make a personal mandala you will need to have a large sheet of paper about 14 x 17 inches, but it can be smaller. You will need something with which to draw like crayons, markers, colored pencils, or paint and brushes. You will need a large circular object to trace on the paper. Good candidates are a round dinner plate or the lid to a soup pot. While you create the mandala you might like to have some instrumental music playing in the background.
The next step is to clear your mind of all the thoughts in order to make it quiet and ready to create. Maybe there is a song you sing, breathing exercises you can do or say a little prayer. Stop all those voices in your head from bothering you so that you can focus on one thing. Once your head is quiet you can start to draw your mandala.
Trace a large circle on the paper. Everything you draw will be drawn inside. In the center of this circle draw what you feel is most important to you. You might feel the most important thing to you is your family so draw a symbol that would represent your family. A good symbol would be a tree with many branches to represent a family tree.
Radiate out from the center to represent the next layer of priorities or the past within your life. Draw symbols of present time then change to what goals you may have and what you really want out of life. Some things may emerge from the subconscious; things that you never knew before or they just may affirm what you already know. If an image comes to your mind while drawing – pay attention to it and put it down on the paper. If a color comes to mind make sure to use it in what you are currently drawing. If you think you made a mistake do not correct it. Instead incorporate it within the realm of your mandala making it work in one way or another. Nothing is wrong here. If you need to draw a banana floating in the ocean under a full moon, draw it.
Once you are done tape your mandala up on the wall and attempt to translate what you drew. Many people find some surprising things that are revealed through the mandala. Have others try to interpret your mandala and take their views into consideration. Making a mandala is an exercise that allows an individual to understand their unconscious thoughts, goals, and priorities. Finding out what those are can be very enlightening.
