The Magic of Mandalas
A mandala symbolizes the universe. Its repeated patterns, colors, and shapes are meant to show the universality of the human race and the connectedness of societies and nature (Study.com).
I love, love, love mandalas! Way back in 2017 (remember those days? When the world was still somewhat normal?), I started a “Mandala” notebook. After a day at the office, I would stay late while no one else was there and draw into the evening hours. Those were good times.
But I only drew about five of them. Then I kind of abandoned my mandala notebook. For SIX friggin’ years!! But now I’m back, baby. The mandala bug has bitten me again, and, when the universe tells me to do something, I usually listen (even when it’s something bad for me — but that’s a different story).
So far, I’ve completed two new mandalas. The one shown above is my favorite, as it is more intricate and required more work.
The mandala process is soothing, and you can easily sketch, ink, and color while you’re watching a show on the Boob-Tube. I recommend Dateline or 48 Hours. True crime shows are a great background, as you don’t really have to watch; you can just listen.
But what exactly is a mandala? Great question.
According to World History Encyclopedia, “A Mandala (Sanskrit for ‘circle’) is an artistic representation of higher thought and deeper meaning given as a geometric symbol used in spiritual, emotional, or psychological work to focus one’s attention.” Most scholars believe that mandalas originated in India, but they were — and still are — found in cultures throughout the world.”
Mandalas are typically circular, but there are no set rules; however, if you want to try your hand at making a mandala, it’s easiest to start with a circular scheme. Repetition of patterns is the norm, and your mandala should radiate outward from a center point. They can range from ultra-simple to mindbogglingly complex. Perhaps the most important thing to remember is that the process of making your mandala should be relaxing, meditative, and healing. If you’re getting stressed out and throwing your markers across the room, you’re doing it wrong :)
Carl Gustav Jung is one of my all-time favorite modern day geniuses. The guy was prolific and talented in many fields. You might know him best as a pioneer of psychology and psychotherapy, and as the guy who famously punched Sigmund Freud in the face during a drunken brawl.
Okay — I made that last part up. But Jung did part ways with Freud, after he realized that he was way cooler than his cigar-loving buddy; and one of the greatest intellectual bromances of all time came to a bitter end.
In addition to his stellar written work, Jung was a damn good visual artist. I highly recommend perusing a copy of his epically awesome Red Book, if you can get your hands on a copy. They’re quite pricey, but worth every cent.
But back to mandalas. Jung was an avid fan. In fact, he is recognized as the dude who popularized them in western society — after discovering them on his many journeys abroad. He realized that they could be a significant tool in psychotherapy, allowing his patients to “confront their shadows” and learn about themselves. Jung utilized mandalas in a clinical setting, encouraging his patients to create their own. Many of these were painted with painstaking attention to detail, springing from the minds of people afflicted with schizophrenia, depression, psychosis, and other psychiatric conditions. The following are two such examples:
“To Jung, the mandala was the key to self-understanding and self-acceptance; by creating mandalas, one could come to know one’s self more completely, recognize unhealthy thoughts and behaviors, and move closer to the center of one’s actual being, leaving behind the various illusions of the self which clouded and confined one’s psychological and spiritual vision.” (World History Encyclopedia)
But How Can I Make a Mandala? I Can Hardly Draw a Stick Figure!
No worries, friend. You don’t have to be a great artist to make mandalas. There are numerous videos on YouTube that will help you on your journey, and a lot of visually stunning mandalas consist solely of repetitive basic shapes, such as petals, leaves, circles, spirals, lines, and squares. I highly recommend this video from Vijayta Sharma. Just watching her create a mandala through timelapse photography is a relaxing journey in and of itself!
Now, you’ll notice that Vijayta uses a pencil and compass to create perfect circles — and this is surely one way to get ’er done; but you don’t have to have a compass to rock a mandala. I don’t.
Just look around your house for circular items of various sizes. I’m fond of salt shakers, drinking glasses, coffee cans, tupperware lids, coffee mugs, etc. Get creative! Your circles don’t have to be perfect. Some people even freehand their mandalas. Trace your circular objects (lightly, with pencil) onto your paper, starting with the largest and working your way down to the smallest, in the center. Doing it in this order helps keep your circles even and harmonious, as you can easily see the outlines of your previous larger circles to help you center the smaller ones as you go.
Next, using a ruler — or the straight edge of thick paper, cardboard, or a book — divide your circles into “slices of pie” by drawing lines through the center of your pattern. It’s up to you how many slices you make, as well as the thickness or thinness of each slice.
After your basic foundation is laid, the journey begins — and no one can tell you how to proceed from here. That’s the whole point of the mandala: it’s your journey. Let your heart and soul guide you, and never fret! Even if you feel that you’ve made a mistake, keep going…
I find the creation of mandalas to be immensely satisfying; I feel they really do help you find your inner self — and it’s cheaper than therapy! I use a combination of pencil, black ink pen, colored pencils, and markers. But even if all you’ve got is a pen, you can still make a beautiful black and white mandala.
It’s the start of a brand new year, and it looks like things might get even crazier in 2024. So why not work on some mandalas of your own? The process is guaranteed to lower your stress levels, and the psychological benefits are real. Take a break from your phone! Get off social media! Look inward, young Jedi! Your first mandala awaits!
