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Mandala
The mandala (from Sanskrit mandala, "circle") is a circular geometric diagram used in Hindu and Buddhist traditions as a support for meditation, a representation of the cosmos and a symbolic map of the spiritual path. The term has also been adopted by the analytical psychology of Carl Gustav Jung.
Mandala in Asian traditions
In India, mandalas are used as ritual supports in Hindu tantrism and in Vajrayana Buddhism. In Tibet they are created on cloth (thangka) and in coloured sand (sand mandalas), destroyed at the end of the ritual as a practice of impermanence. In Japan the "Kongokai" and "Taizokai" mandalas are used by the Shingon school. They are maps of the cosmos and supports for meditative visualisation.
Mandala in Jungian psychology
Carl Gustav Jung encountered mandalas while studying the images produced by his patients during analysis. He interpreted them as spontaneous representations of the Self, the integrated centre of the psyche. Drawing mandalas is a practice used in art therapy to foster concentration and the process of individuation.
FAQ
Can I draw mandalas?
Yes, it is an accessible and beneficial practice. There are colouring books with printed mandalas and guided techniques to create your own.
Is it religious?
It is in the Asian traditions of origin. Drawing mandalas as a secular visual meditation is entirely acceptable.
What is it for?
To foster concentration, relaxation and centring. In art therapy it is a recognised tool.