Mandala meaning "circle" or "completion" is a term used to refer to various objects. It is of Hindu origin, but is also used in other religions, such as Buddhism. “In practice, mandala has become a generic term for any plan, chart or geometric pattern that represents the cosmos metaphysically or symbolically, a microcosm of the Universe from the human perspective.”
In various spiritual traditions, mandalas may be employed for focusing attention of aspirants, as a spiritual teaching tool, for establishing a sacred space and as an aid to meditation. Its symbolic nature can help one "to access progressively deeper levels of the unconscious, ultimately assisting the meditator to experience a mystical sense of oneness with the ultimate unity from which the cosmos in all its manifold forms arises." The mandala is "a representation of the unconscious self," and is believed to be that paintings of mandalas enables one to identify emotional disorders and work towards wholeness in personality.
The process of creating a mandala is as important as the finished product. It takes years of preparation and training to gain the skill and knowledge required to paint. Even when one is able to begin, meditation for three days must occur before brush can be put to canvas.
Our culture is familiar with mandalas primarily because of the work of Carl Jung who became interested in them while studying Eastern religion. Jung saw the circular images his clients experienced as "movement towards psychological growth, expressing the idea of a safe refuge, inner reconciliation and wholeness." For Jung, mandalas are "vessels" into which we project our psyche. It is then returned to us as a way of restoration. He recognized that archetypes from many cultures were seen in this spontaneous expression of the unconscious. Circles are universally associated with meditation, healing and prayer.
In various spiritual traditions, mandalas may be employed for focusing attention of aspirants, as a spiritual teaching tool, for establishing a sacred space and as an aid to meditation. Its symbolic nature can help one "to access progressively deeper levels of the unconscious, ultimately assisting the meditator to experience a mystical sense of oneness with the ultimate unity from which the cosmos in all its manifold forms arises." The mandala is "a representation of the unconscious self," and is believed to be that paintings of mandalas enables one to identify emotional disorders and work towards wholeness in personality.
The process of creating a mandala is as important as the finished product. It takes years of preparation and training to gain the skill and knowledge required to paint. Even when one is able to begin, meditation for three days must occur before brush can be put to canvas.
Our culture is familiar with mandalas primarily because of the work of Carl Jung who became interested in them while studying Eastern religion. Jung saw the circular images his clients experienced as "movement towards psychological growth, expressing the idea of a safe refuge, inner reconciliation and wholeness." For Jung, mandalas are "vessels" into which we project our psyche. It is then returned to us as a way of restoration. He recognized that archetypes from many cultures were seen in this spontaneous expression of the unconscious. Circles are universally associated with meditation, healing and prayer.
No comments:
Post a Comment