The concept of
a Mandala is extremely complex, and it is hard to do justice to it
with only a simple explanation. Psychoanalyst Carl Jung has referred to
them as representations of the unconscious self and believed his spontaneous drawings and paintings of
Sacred Geometry, Mandalas, enabled him to identify emotional disorders and work
towards wholeness in personality.
A Mandala (Sanskrit maṇḍala - "completion") refers
to wholeness created by circular forms as a symbol of cosmic
self-discovery. Geometry (Greek geometron
- 'art of measurement') was
traditionally restricted to the priesthood. Regardless, Johannes Kepler,
the 17th-century German astronomer, was convinced "that all geometrical things have
provided the Creator with the model for decorating (Latin decus
"honor") the whole world."
The experimental study by Nancy
A. Curry BA & Tim Kasser PhD suggests that structured coloring
of a reasonably complex geometric pattern may induce a meditative state that
benefits individuals suffering from anxiety. Other spontaneous drawing
studies show that creativity stimulates the release of
dopamine. Increased levels of this feel-good neurotransmitter are very
beneficial if you are battling mood disorders or depression. All these
definitions are correct as far as they go, but they are not precise
enough to understand what a Mandala truly is. To understand that clearly, you must create it yourself!
When you create a Mandala, sit
comfortably, relax by slowing your breath, and focus on its center from where
you start your work. It’s not necessary to have a disorder or depression to
benefit from it; we all want to improve how we feel about ourselves. Important not to hurry when you're working on your drawing. Rushing through the creation can diminish both the quality of the meditation on the Mandala and the experience itself. If any distractions occur, close your eyes, take a deep breath, and return your attention to your drawing. If, after a while, you see that colors and shapes intermesh and start to “dance“, please understand this is normal as well... The
exercise should leave you relaxed and your mind clear. You will become more energetic, less reactive, and feel better control over your life. You can also do this daily as
your concentrative meditation.
The Iconography of the
Primary Mandala’s Basic Construction
(from the inside outward)
It is based on Cosmology and Expressive Arts Counseling approaches, and it serves as a philosophical guide when we are seeking advice.

1. Circles in the middle of the Mandala.
- The
First (black) circle. This
circle is the symbol of the Divine Force (or Spirit). We cannot comprehend It, we cannot
speak of It, we cannot fathom IT. Our mind is finite and cannot approach the infinite. So, just meditate on this circle and listen to the spiritual guidance of Mandala regarding the Ultimate Reality. Communicate with Divine Consciousness through your intuition, inspiration, and deeper insights, connecting your mind to a broader reality. Your Soul, as a Spark of IT, will provide direction when life feels uncertain or overwhelming.
- The Second (red) circle.
This is the sphere of Actual Reality where the symbols are located (you can find their description in the chart on the right). It creates
perceptions of Reality in the Game. It can help us better understand duality, temporality, and the truth about ourselves, as well as many other constantly evolving experiences and attitudes over time as we mature.
2. Entrance Gates (usually it is a square surrounding
the two central discs).
The four corners of the square symbolize our decision-making and our free will. Many spiritual traditions view self-determination as central to our Souls. Our mind is usually faced with decisions (for example, now trying to decide what to do with this information: to embrace it or reject it...).
3. Lotus Flower (eight-pedaled).
An eight-petaled Lotus typically forms the foundation and inner layers. It symbolizes cosmic harmony and spiritual rebirth, where each petal is a part of this path to purity and rising above worldly attachment. It also represents the flow of cosmic energy through our body's "channel wheels" (chakras). It is the support for the Mandala in the journey from material darkness to Divine, enlightened consciousness.
The Lotus Head is the Vajra (Sanskrit "diamond", "spiritual power"). Vajra refers to the " Lord of Stones", which is equivalent to the hardness and the radiance of the Diamond. It represents enlightenment, and the indestructible state of our "alert mind", the "Vajra Mind". It has been associated with the work of the highly esteemed Elder-Teacher, known as "Glass Mirror", a Teacher who helps us define our "Real-Self" because we can't look into our own eyes without a mirror... The Vajra often appears as outer protective circles (the Vajra Wheel), crossed beneath main structures for stability.
4. Flame Circles (additional circles of Mandala).
If Vajra is not enough, the "flame circles" keep all
negative forces far away from the inside of the Mandala, so that we can gain deep insight into reality or become those who are Self-Aware (Sanskrit buddhah "awakened").
If you want to add colors to your Mandala, you can use the color chart on this page to select colors that harmonize with each other.
Again, Sacred Geometry drawings are a powerful tool to expand our consciousness, improve brain function, strengthen the immune system, increase longevity, and overall better physical and mental health outcomes.
Never work with the Mandala wishing harm to others; it brings you only negative consequences and fills you with negative energy.
Yours faithfully,
Irmina
...love this article!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Ron!
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