Mandalas are one of the artistic and cultural elements associated with meditation
They are used in some Buddhist rituals, but it is also common to use them as a form of therapy. This can be confusing at first glance, so let’s look at how the mandala is used and what it really is.
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In short, Mandalas are circular and concentric drawings related to symbolic elements of Hinduism or Buddhism
Thus, all mandalas have a similar structure, which is usually a circle full of symmetrical and concentric figures. Beyond this, all mandalas can be created however the person drawing them wants, including certain details and not others, choosing the details, etc.
What does the word “mandala” mean?
The meaning of the term mandala has its origins in the Sanskrit language, and can be translated as “sacred wheel.” This simple fact already indicates the relationship between the mandala and religion, and that is It is considered a symbol of healing and meditation, in addition to representing a facet of the cosmos
This symbolism is captured in the shapes presented in the mandala, all of them drawn inside a circle. Some shapes, such as spirals or stars, are associated with certain meanings, and the same occurs with the tones used when painting mandalas.
In fact, the color palette used in the creation of a mandala symbolizes the nature of each of the chakras that, according to cultures related to Hinduism, occupy different parts of the body. Thus, blue represents the fifth chakra and the feeling of calm, red symbolizes the first chakra and is related to passion, etc.
Beyond the classic representation of mandalas, which is usually circular, they also There are other types of mandalas with alternative shapes , such as with a square-shaped outline. However, in all these drawings their direction from the contour to the center and vice versa is always emphasized.
Mandalas and meditation
Knowing the symbolic nature of the elements that make up a mandala, one can think that these are simple pieces of folklore. However, it is not necessary to embrace mystical beliefs to use mandalas. Because yes, these wheel-shaped drawings have a use beyond religion.
As with relaxation techniques, virtually all meditation exercises focus on one basic task: managing attention and achieving an effect on body processes that are normally automatic, such as breathing.
The use of mandalas is no exception in this sense, and their use during meditation sessions implies that we concentrate totally on them. Thus, Drawing mandalas resembles some ways of entering trance used in all types of religions
The usefulness of the mandala
Thus, the use of mandalas is relatively simple, since they are basically used to be drawn and painted. That is to say, what is useful is not so much the mandala itself as the process of creating these figures and their coloring.
Of course, the way in which the act of drawing and painting mandalas is useful, however, It is a personal and totally subjective matter , since its use cannot be compared to the use of scientifically validated therapeutic proposals. There is a reason why mandalas are the result of religion and popular culture, and not of years of research carried out using the scientific method.
