Mandalas: Transcending Beyond Circles and Symmetry to Psychology

A Lamaic rimpoche (an honorific term in the Tibetan language, meaning ‘precious one’), named Lingdam Gomchen spoke to Carl Jung during his visit near Darjeeling in 1938 about the mandala, or khilkor, as it was locally called there. He explained, “A true mandala is always an inner image”, and “No mandala is like any other; they are all individually different.”

What is a mandala?

The term ‘mandala’ derives from a Sanskrit word which means circle, implying both center and circumference. It is a geometrical form or a cosmic diagram meant to remind us of our connection with the infinite. There are two approaches to defining mandalas; the first one is external, as a schematic visual representation of the universe. The second is internal, in terms of psychophysical practices, or our inner mental states.

From a cultural standpoint, mandalas are objects of devotion traversing several cultures including Tantric Hinduism and Buddhism, Jainism, cultures such as those of Native American and Australian Aboriginal, and even Christianity in the form of frescos or astrologic zodiacs. In addition, healing mandalas are constructed by the Tibetan Buddhists and the Navajo people in North America for the protection of an individual or the larger environment. The overarching significance of mandalas across cultures lies in them being symbols of the universe and of wholeness.

What are the artistic aspects of a mandala?

There exist multiple interpretations and artistic methods of creating these circular and symmetrical designs. The centre of the mandala is believed to be the axis mundi, the world axis or the navel that connects the earth to heaven. In certain cultures, the central image of a mandala is that of a primary deity that might be surrounded by images of other deities.

Tom Anderson, in his article titled, “Mandala: Constructing Peace through Art”, emphasizes that mandala making is instrumentalist as it is not merely art for art’s sake. Rather, mandalas function as aesthetic tools meant to achieve something in the world from an aesthetically framed perspective. Even though the creation of mandalas demands artistic intricacy and precision, its significance permeates beyond its identity as an artistic form. As mentioned earlier, mandalas which are manifested into being are merely external images or visualisations of an inner image or a reflection of the Self.

Carl Jung and the Mandala

The presence of this symbol across different cultures brings forth the possibility of it being a recurring symbol or an unconscious predisposition that we are subjected to as part of our “collective unconscious”, a term popularised by Carl Jung, the father of analytical psychology. He emphasized the concept of “archetypes”, essentially symbols which form an integral part of universal human inheritance. This theory encapsulates an explanation for the existence of the symbolic layout of the mandala in many of the world’s cultures as it cannot be attributed to cultural transmission alone.

In his expansion of the concepts of collective unconscious and archetypes, Jung dealt extensively with mandalas. Initially, Jung had withdrawn himself from teaching upon encountering a difficult period in his life, wherein he frequently drew and painted mandalas much before understanding their symbology. In order to examine the benefits of mandalas, Jung constructed several of them during the course of his psychological investigations, to the extent of referring to them as “magic circles.” His first mandala which was intuitively conceived and constructed was Systema Munditotius. This is an anthropomorphic mandala which symbolically encompasses the attributes of man.

He later theorized that mandalas are brought into existence through our collective unconscious dreams. These images from our dreams can be spontaneously created by drawing. Modern manifestations of mandalas in dreams can include sophisticated electronic devices with circular machinery such as watches. These symbols were used by him in his own psychological investigations and also utilised to reap therapeutic benefits in both himself and his patients. He discovered that there were similarities in the mandalas constructed by his patients despite the cultural differences they presented. Thus, the creation of mandalas was incorporated in his psychotherapy and was used as means of identification of emotional disorders and attaining wholeness in personality.

Jung suggested, “mandalas were an attempt at self-healing on the part of nature, which does not spring from conscious reflection but from an instinctive impulse.” What this signifies in terms of its implications on the human mind is that mandalas help in restoring inner balance and function as an antidote to chaotic minds, the same way they perform a healing role in nature. These healing powers, according to Jung, emerge as mandalas symbolize unity.

What psychological benefits can we reap from drawing mandalas?

As Jung emphasised, even individuals not having a knowledge of mandalas can create individual mandalas, which function as a manifestation of internal mental states and expressions of the self. Drawing a mandala can also lead us to a hypnotic or higher state of consciousness and help gain insights about our true self. In addition to the spiritual and psychological benefits, mandalas have also shown to boost the immune system and reduce stress, facilitate sleep and reduce symptoms of depression. Not just drawing, but also colouring mandalas functions as a powerful means of therapy for easing our state of mind and an overall improvement in affect and mental health.

My relationship with mandalas emerged over three years ago, when these symmetric forms captured my interest. What began as a fascination with such designs, transformed into the construction of novel and intricate mandala patterns, some which have also been shared online. It also extended to filling out mandala colouring books which gave me an insight into the psychological benefits that one can reap out of mandalas. Even to this date, mandalas act as an immediate stress buster for me.

‘While growing up, I scattered parts of me across the various places I made a home out of: in Raebareli — my birthplace — in Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Patna, Gurgaon and now, in Pune. Looking back, I reflect on the memories I created along the way, some beautiful and some ugly. The most distinct ones being all the “first days” I experienced, my first day at FLAME being one of them. I stumbled across this university when I was at a junction in my life — I was unsure of my half-woven plan to pursue medicine. I won’t lie, on some mornings I wish I woke up elsewhere, but FLAME gave me the opportunity to study Psychology with Design as my minor. I am current assisting my faculty conduct research in an area that I hope to specialise in, and I could not be more grateful. Apart from offering an equally stimulating and challenging (sometimes nerve-wracking) academic experience, my life here has also reiterated the ideology of gathering experiences from people and places, as I had been doing previously. My time here also reminds me of a teacher, who instilled the idea of endurance in me, in a manner that I won’t ever forget for it has helped me endure the thorns dotting my path.’

Some of Anjali’s artwork can be found here: https://www.instagram.com/anjalial.art/?hl=kn

References

https://www.ancient.eu/mandala/

https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1525/jung.2011.5.3.145

https://www.carl-jung.net/mandala.html

https://www.verywellmind.com/what-are-jungs-4-major-archetypes-2795439

https://www.jstor.org/stable/3193998

https://fractalenlightenment.com/14683/life/carl-jungs-psychological-diagnosis-using-mandalas

https://www.meta-religion.com/Psychiatry/Analytical_psychology/jung_quaternity.htm

https://www.timesunion.com/living/article/Mandalas-may-boost-benefits-of-meditation-4152298.php

Edited by Aayush Agarwal