Mandala Information

A mandala is used for many things. It can be used for relaxation and inspiration for adults and children alike. Mandala designs contain themes and patterns taken from geometry, nature and folk art. Mandalas have been found on the walls of prehistoric caves, in ancient tapestries and stained glass windows, and in the artistic expression of people all over the world.

Mandalas represent wholeness and life. Made up of simple elements, yet capable of becoming marvelously complex, they fascinate children and adults alike. Mandala patterns invite color.

Creating a mandala begins with drawing of a circle. It can be as simple as the circle a child draws or as complex as the sacred images created by Tibetan monks. Mandalas arise from the compelling human need to know our own inner reality, to align this knowing with our body's wisdom, and to awaken ourselves a sense of being in harmony with the universe.

The word mandala, from Sanskrit, the ancient language of India, translates as "sacred circle."
In Tibetan, the term mandala is kyil-kor, which means "center and circumference." In Eastern tradition mandalas suggest a complete cycle, (ie., rituals that comprise a liturgical year).

Making a circle always brings order to things. Order begets patterns that the mind can grasp and understand. Each time you turn a circle or color a mandala, you invite a little harmony in  your life.

A circle suggests a center point in much the same way a magnifying glass acts to focus the sun's rays to a single, bright spot.
In a circle, the center is always present, and it attracts your eye, whether it is marked or not.
The capacity of a circle to catch and focus your attention means that you take less notice of what is outside the circle.

Used in meditation, mandalas produces concentrating your attention on one thing which produces relaxation in your body---breath deepens, heartbeat slows. These physical changes release the body's natural healing processes.

Traditional healers intuitively make use of mandalas because their circular form organizes perception, thought, and physical responses in ways that are beneficial.