The word “Mandala” is from the classical Indian language of Sanskrit. Loosely translated to mean “circle,” a Mandala is far more than a simple shape. It represents wholeness, and can be seen as a model for the organizational structure of life itself – a cosmic diagram that reminds us of our relationship with the infinite, the world that extends both beyond and within our bodies and minds.
The “circle with a center” pattern is the basic structure of all creation and is reflected from the micro to the macro in the world as we know it. It is a pattern found in nature and is seen in biology, geology, chemistry, physics and astronomy. On our planet, all living things are made of cells and each cell has a nucleus – all of which display circles with centers. The crystals that form ice and rocks are made of atoms and each atom is a Mandala as is each snowflake. Flowers, the rings found in tree trunks and the spiraling outward and inward of a snail’s shell and the galaxies all reflect the primal Mandala pattern. Wherever a center is found radiating outward and inward, there is wholeness – a Mandala. The human spirit craves order and symmetry, it gives the inner you a sense of well being and harmony, all classic Mandala designs have a symmetrical design at their core and viewing them can facilitate healing.
I use the traditional methods - as used by the Tibetan and the Navajo Indian sand painters - to make my own version of traditional sand paintings. The act of making a sand painting is very methodical and, as I create, my energy is focused and in harmony with the Great Creative Principal of the Universe, there is no ego involved. In this case, as I work, I dedicate the energy and the result to the sentient beings who are at present suffering and send them a stream of loving, healing vibrations.
When I complete the painting it is displayed for a short period then, following tradition, the image is swept into a container and taken to the nearest body of water, a lake, river or ocean, and is tossed into the water. The belief is that all of the dedicated and healing energy that is an inherent part of the painting is disseminated throughout the waters of the world.
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Selected Mandalas & Sand Painting
.jpg "A Sand Painting to Honor Our Loyal Friends and Helpers - The Bees")