A mandala is a very ancient concept. It means “circle” in Sanskrit and it has been widely used in Hinduism and Buddhism as a spiritual symbol that represents, among other things, the entire universe in a microcosm.
Mandalas have also been used as an instrument of meditation for millennia.
The Tibetan Monks, for example, use colored sand to build mandalas in a very ceremonial way that takes up to several days. Each mandala has a meaning and a purpose and is dedicated to certain deities. When the ritual is finished, they ritualistically destroy their beautiful work, collecting the sand and releasing it back to nature. The construction of the mandala symbolized the concept of present time, the act of being mindful as they do it. Its destruction symbolized the ephemerality or impermanence of life. Fascinating, isn’t it?
In Yoga Mandalas are used as a type of meditation. When observing, drawing or coloring a mandala, as you really let yourself go, you enter a meditative state. All your surroundings disappear, and you focus on the shapes, colors, lines, details. You may begin to pay attention to the movement of your hand, the smell of the media you are using, the sound of the pencil against the paper, the rhythm of your breath. As you focus your mind more, it allows you to connect with the here and the now, reaching awareness and eventually achieving a higher consciousness. Through this awareness, the mind resets itself, it enlightens and heals. It becomes one with the universe. The mandala’s purpose is to help transform ordinary minds into enlightened ones and to assist with healing.
You can begin by finding a quiet place where you won’t be disturbed. You can observe a beautiful mandala and notice its designs, colors and beauty and what thoughts, feelings or emotions awake. You can also get a black and white mandala design and color it. Or, if you want to go for it all, grab a piece of blank paper and start designing your own. Get creative!
I will post more information regarding coloring and designing mandalas in the blog. Stay tuned!
