cosmic corner
04-Feb-2010
See Your Soul Treasure
Making and Using Mandalas
Mandala, a Sanskrit word, basically means circle and brings with it a rich history of symbolism and mythology. Essentially, a mandala is a circle with a center from which all related lines, shapes and symbols radiate and expand. Wow! A metaphor for life. The heart is the center, connecting physical and energetic bodies to other hearts and bodies. The phrase "We're all One" begins to make sense.
Mandalas found me. Looking back, I can see how it happened. After praying for total freedom in my life, unseen forces began to shift in order to deliver my request. Mandalas appeared to help me cope with the ensuing chaos! The point is, I didn't know a thing about mandalas until after they started to work their magic on me and I went looking for their story.
You don't have to understand symbols and myths to feel the energy and experience the power that mandalas deliver. You just have to find or create one that resonates for you, relax, breathe and gaze into its center. The magic happens, whether you feel it or not.
Mandala making is an accessible path to your center. It requires only a desire to connect with your own energy. Use whatever you have... crayons, leaves, sand, your computer. The idea is to feel your way through it. Start with a center point, and if it helps, draw a circle around it. Then get creative! You just might find some treasure.
Dana Weekley
Freedom Pioneer, Lover of Lines
NineTomatoes
Mandala: Journey to the Center
Coloring Mandalas 1
Nicely done, Dana.
Beautiful! Love the energy from the lines, spaces and colors!! I could feel your consciousness connecting through the words and phrases in the article. Brought me to a better understanding of the mandalas you and other mandala artists create. In fact, I am starting to feel the stirrings of my own energy wanting to express itself through lines, colors and spaces. Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts!!
I've written a couple articles on Mandalas http://yogainmyschool.com/2009/12/23/mandala-magic-teaching-kids-about-meditation/ - focuses on how to teach kids to create their own mandalas http://yogainmyschool.com/2009/12/26/mandalas-universal-across-cultures/ examines the global phenomenon of cross cultural mandalas showing our inter-connections and commonalities.
Thanks, Randy. I'm sure you'll love the mandala you create yourself! Sue, thanks for reading and leaving feedback! Debi, I appreciate your comment, thank you. I hope you'll share your creations! Thanks for the links, Donna. Nice site, and wonderful that you bring yoga into the lives of young people.
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I never thought of creating my own mandala. Always thought I would see one and latch onto it. Thanks for giving a little push!