How to Paint a Personal Mandala
Mandalas are an ancient symbol that every culture has used. There is deep meaning surrounding them that goes beyond words. They are sacred and found within nature, as well as consciously developed by people.
Many find themselves inexplicably drawn to mandalas. Delving into the process of mental exploration and creating personal mandalas is quite an uplifting experience.
Past experience and painting talent are not prerequisites to making fantastic mandalas. Most are abstract or consist of simple symbols and geometric patterns that anyone can create. What is needed, is an opening of the heart to access the details and inspirations. The perfect mandala for everyone is readily available if attention is paid.
Here are some general tips on how to get started making a personal mandala. Relax and enjoy the process.
Receiving Impressions
This is, by far, the most important step. Sit in a quiet location and relax the body and mind. Visualize the person the mandala is for (whether it be for the artist herself, or someone else). See them clearly. Then, internally ask for the following information. The answers should pop up, without effort and without rational thinking. Ask:
- What colors would suit this person? ( blues and purples might come as an answer, for example)
- What natural elements? (perhaps sky and sand)
- What kinds of patterns or lines? (flowing waves, gently blended lines, for example)
- Any other elements of any kind to include? (birds, sunbursts, feeling of flight)
Drawing the Mandala
It's always best to draw the mandala before beginning to avoid any major design issues on canvas. A common place to start is to draw a large circle as an outer border and a smaller one just inside the first, to create a "border" around the entire mandala. Then a final circle can be drawn about half of the radius of the first, as a center focal point. Feel free to use any design, though.
Then, begin adding lines and elements that "feel" right, staying faithful to the symmetry of the mandala. Intuitively add unique designs to gaping spaces, and thoughtfully use the space to best demonstrate the impressions about the person the mandala is for. Not all details have to be added in this drawing stage. More can be added in the final step.
Painting the Mandala
Prepare the canvas as normal and decide on a background. It should be harmonious with the colors to be used in the actual mandala. Choosing very light or muted colors is a good way to avoid taking the focus off the design, as well as to avoid color clashing. Then, draw out the design when the background is dry and begin painting. State of mind if very important when painting mandalas. Let a positive flow radiate from the center. It will create something beautiful every time.
Painting mandalas is a fulfilling and rewarding experience. It can be a tool of transformation and of healing, and it can also be a gift to bless others with. There is no "wrong" way to draw mandalas. There is beauty and meaning in each one.
How to Meditate on a Mandala
Think of the mandala as taking a journey. Whereas most meditations are done with the eyes closed, a mandala meditation can be done with the eyes open. After finding a quiet, comfortable place to sit while keeping a good posture, begin to breath slowing and deeply.
Begin with the outside of the mandala and view it as a path that begins on the outside, then slowly makes its way to the middle, which is the goal of the meditation. Focus only on the shapes and colors, allowing yourself to soak in their beauty. In traditional Tibetan mandalas, the outside rings denote fire which is used to purify a person as the flames prepare an individual for meditation.
Continue to follow the path and don't worry if a dead end is reached. If this happens, simply go back and begin anew. The premise for this meditation is not just about reaching the center, it's also about the journey to get there.
The center of the mandala is known as the temple or palace. It should have something that contains a special significance to you. This could be in the form of a symbol or word. Once in the center, imagine no longer being separate from the mandala, but, becoming one with it.
Imagine the body and mind becoming one with the universe and all of the vast knowledge and wisdom the universe contains. When finished, slowly come out of the meditation and take a few moments to contemplate your experiences.
Meditating on a mandala is like taking a journey for relaxation along with allowing for a visualization accessory for the meditation. With deep roots in traditional Buddhist meditations, a mandala is a colorful tool which opens a path for combining the mind and body with the wisdom of the universe.
