The word “mandala” comes from Sanskrit and literally means “circle”.
These drawings are used in different cultures, such as Buddhist, Hindu, Christian, and in some indigenous tribes. We find them as an artistic element or as a “tool” for the person to find himself.
C.G. Jüng, a Swiss psychiatrist and psychotherapist, was one of the first Westerners to use coloring as a relaxation technique. At the beginning of the 20th century, he recommended his patients to paint mandalas to combat stress, anxiety, and depression.
According to the beliefs of some cultures, mandalas are also related to the energies of life. For example, in Eastern cultures, it is believed that each color is associated with a chakra. Therefore, the mandalas by containing them also favor it. They are a wonderful legendary technique that brings us multiple benefits.
Creativity and Mandalas
Mandalas are a free design artistic representation, this means that you can draw them as you want.
If you want to try to draw your own, check this post: Learn How To Draw A Mandala In 7 Steps.
However, if you don’t feel like designing them, there are plenty of books and notebooks to color them.
Click if you want to check some Mandala Books.
As you can see, there are many options!
An interesting aspect of mandalas is how much they can be related to creativity because they allow us to use colors and shapes with total freedom. In other words, they promote the creative process and are a great source of new ideas.
As said in some Eastern cultures is believed that each color is associated with a chakra, here you will find some of their meanings:
- Red: Passion, sensuality, strength, power, and aggressiveness. First chakra.
- Orange: Pleasure, glory, vanity, progress, and energy. Second chakra.
- Yellow: Joy, will, and novelty. Third chakra.
- Green: Hope, confidence, and nature. Fourth chakra.
- Blue: Tranquility, seriousness, respect, and communication. Fifth chakra.
- Violet: Meditation and creativity. Sixth chakra.
- White: Peace, harmony, kindness, gentleness, and shyness. Seventh chakra.
- Black: Depth, mystery, authority, dignity, security, sadness, and mourning.
While shapes are also often related to…
- Circle: Dynamism and connection with the cosmos.
- Cross: Unconscious and conscious, the union of heaven and earth.
- Triangle: Transformation and vitality.
- Square: Stability and balance.
- Labyrinth: Search of the “own center”.
Mandalas bring relaxation
Designing and coloring mandalas help to focus attention, so they are an excellent exercise to calm the feeling of stress and clear your mind. Some of them mindful benefits are the following:
- They bring peace and serenity.
- Contemplating them favors a sensation of tranquility.
- They help concentration.
- They allow thoughts to be put aside and creativity to flow.
- Their figures transmit a sense of balance.
Mandalas are designed to free you from worries because they encourage concentration on the present moment (Create Mindfulness!!!)
"Home Decor" with Mandalas
Mandalas can also be used to decorate your home or workplace. Here you have some decorative ideas:
- Paint mandalas on stones and use them as ornamental objects.
- Paint mandala on recycled boxes and use them for Jewelry.
- Create a crochet wall mandala.
- Make decorative mandala art.
Deep connection with your inner self
Mandalas help us to connect with our inner-selves, thus promoting self-knowledge. They are a wonderful mindful exercise to reflecting on our place in the world and the relationship we have with others.
On the other hand, mandalas are a form of meditation that helps us to focus our attention. In this way, they promote harmony, since through their shapes and colors energies flow, transforming negative aspects into positive ones, bringing balance to our lives.
Therapeutic benefits of mandalas
Different branches of psychology have talked about the benefits of drawing mandalas. Transpersonal psychology views mandalas as an exercise in fostering deep connection. While cognitive and behavioral psychology sees them as a tool to improve higher functions such as memory, attention, perception, and visual-motor coordination.
Besides, they are used in educational settings to facilitate concentration, attention, and discipline.
As you can see, there are many benefits that you can obtain through mandalas. These artistic representations are a source of relaxation, liberation, and have a deep creative power, so why not try them?