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Mandala Art Activity For Self-Discovery And Healing
Now that you’ve read about the concept of Mandala art and its history, you’re ready to learn how to create one and exercise the mandala’s power.
The core of mandala designs is the circle. You are not bound by any particular colors or materials to create your mandala art, so let your feelings and instincts guide you through the creative process.
Decide What Art Materials You Need
You will first need to select your drawing materials. Again, you are not limited here…some ideas to help you get started might be markers, watercolors, pastels, colored pencils, oils, etc. You will also need something to draw or paint on like a piece of paper, canvas, poster board, or anything else you can think of. I would suggest something around the size of 12×18 inches. If you have a compass lying around (or anything that will help you draw a circle), that would be helpful as well. Hint: you can use anything round and solid…a cup, a pan, or anything else that will help you draw nice clean circles.
A Good Location Is Important
It is also recommended that you create your mandala in a space that provides the least amount of distractions. The experience is meant to be a personal one. Unless, of course, you are participating in a group mandala.
In response to the September 11th tragedies, twenty Buddhist monks constructed a sand mandala (sacred painting) at the Sackler gallery. This seven-foot-square mandala, one of the largest ever created in the West, was offered for the healing and protection of America. In addition, the monks participated in chanting, meditation, and other traditional healing ceremonies.
Let Your Feelings & Emotions Inspire You
Again, there are no rules or constrictions with regard to mandala designs. You don’t have to use only circles, though your art should have some semblance of a circular design. Otherwise, you can do whatever strikes you. In fact, it’s encouraged to let your feelings inspire your mandala art and designs.
Your finished mandala will represent and reflect who you were at the time of creation. If you want, you can give your mandala a title and date of creation.
Now That You’ve Finished Your Mandala Art Activity
Once you’ve finished your mandala art activity, take note of the colors you used. Recognize, maybe even write down, what the predominant colors are in your mandala. Also take note of the least-used color(s). Now look at the images and shapes you’ve created. Take notice of any hard and soft lines, jagged or smooth edges. Are there any areas of high contrast? Now write down, in detail, your feelings and/or memories when you think about the colors, shapes, images, and designs on your mandala. You should be able to make some connections between your mandala and the feelings and emotions that you experienced while creating it.
This is meant to be a very personal and introspective activity and process, so the results are bound to vary. Again, it’s important to recognize that your mandala is a symbol, a reflection, of who you were when you created it. Ideally, the process of creating the mandala results in some form of self-healing, self-expression, and/or self-exploration.
Good Luck!
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Thanks very much for this article. I love the idea of creating mandalas because you can make them as intricate or as simple as you want and hopefully there can be less worry about whether it is “good enough” as a creation. I might also suggest including in the writing if you are so inclined, a poem about the mandala, what it evokes in you or how the process affected you, etc. Of course a poem is not necessary, but it can be a companion to the mandala that becomes a part of the artwork and deepens the exploration of your inner world. Thanks, Phyllis
Phyllis, I think that’s a fantastic idea! A poem would complement the mandala beautifully. I would only add that the individual should write in a way that makes them feel most comfortable…whether that is by telling a story, writing a poem, prose, or any sort of free-form writing. Poetry therapy is something I eventually hope to add to this site as well. Thanks for the great comments Phyllis
Hi… thanks for the great site and much-loved ideas!
I just want to add that Mandalas of all kinds can be a very good meditation tool unto themselves and the artist. As a Buddhist artist who regularly creates Mandalas myself, I have noticed that there are two very important parts of the process:
1) Meditation is a process of “emptying” the mind of mental and emotional “clutter” or “chatter”. So it helps to be focused on “releasing” or “emptying” when involved in this creative process… the “thinking” part is not nearly as important as the enjoying and “letting go” part.
2) Some Mandalas (like the sand mandalas you mention) are destroyed after they have been viewed because part of the process is learning the laws of impermanence… we must learn on an emotional and spiritual level that nothing lasts forever and it harms us to become attached to things that ultimately are not our only source of happiness. If a person cannot bring themselves to destroy their creation, they might at least consider selling it or giving it away as a “gift” to someone who might appreciate it. Once you have enjoyed creating your mandala, it has already served its purpose for you…
Once again, thank you so much for sharing this blog with us!
- Jarrett
Jarrett,
Thanks for emphasizing these parts of the process. The journey is just as important, if not more, than the destination.
Hi,Jarrett,
I love using the mandala as a process in my women’s group. We used the symbols in a group process called the mandala and the self. I first lead them on a creative visualization meditation of color, shapes, patterns, and images of which they used in the creating of their mandala. Afterwards, they wrote their own interpretation around the mandala and shared what they wanted in group. I have also used the symbol of the mandala in a collage of magazine pictures that represents the core self and parts of the self. I am planning on using the mandala in my journal group as a process as well. Thanks for sharing and the continued inspiration of your website. I am thinking of doing a mandala jouranl. I will let you know how it goes. Joy
@Joy: Great use of the mandala…I’d love to hear about some of their interpretations and when you’re ready to share your thoughts on doing a mandala journal feel free to put them in the comments or drop me a line if you’d like to write a guest post about it! Great uses of the mandalas…thanks everyone!
Thank you for your site. I am an artist and often lead arts workshops. I created a mandala in college that began my journey as an artist. Later this month I will be doing a workshop, introducing the mandala to non-artist. Because of their simple form and potential visual power, they are a great tool for dis-covering and re-covering wounded creativity. Thanks again for the forum, Rachel
@Rachel: Thanks for the generous comment! I’d love to hear how your workshop goes at the end of the month. Thanks!