5 mandalas by Atmara Rebecca Cloe

Although Mandala designs began as part of a spiritual ritual in Buddhism and Hinduism, it has gained popularity in the western world for use in meditation. Psychoanalyst Carl Jung described it best when he referred to Mandala designs as a “representation of the unconscious self”.

Always in the shape of a circle, Mandala designs symbolize the universe as an orderly, harmonious whole, free from chaos. The main idea of Mandala designs is to help replace the negative energy from your life by focusing your energy on the positive. Creating your own personal Mandala designs can help soothe trauma, and coloring them in with your favorite colors can bring a peaceful state of mind, replacing negative thoughts.

Some find it helpful to write words within the mandala circle, such as Healthy, Kind, Compassionate, etc. It is so easy to slip into a negative mind frame, especially if you are surrounded by negativity on a daily basis. Creating your own Mandala designs and using them as part of a meditation session can bring your mind and soul back into a state of positive love.

For example, you may have suffered the loss of a job and had to settle for a less paying and less prestigious position. That has to sting. You may feel worthless and inadequate, and find your new boss to be a pain. But it is a job and you will get through this. Telling yourself that over and over again may not be enough to overcome the negative feelings. Of course that’s just one scenario that life can throw our way. We face obstacles and let downs on a daily basis. Using mandalas and meditation together is a simple and easy way to regain your positive outlook on life.

You might try working on some mandala designs that use words that focus on the positive aspects of your job. Of use words and imagery in the designs that focus on your future job. Using specific colors will also help creative a more positive state of mind. Bright blue reminds people of strength, yellow means sunny, and lavender is a relaxing, soothing color. Some words you might incorporate into your mandalas are STRONG, GRATEFUL, and SERENE, depending on what you’re meditating on.

There are thousands of mandala designs you can find online if you don’t feel like making your own. There are mandala calendars you can purchase. There are coloring book mandalas, mandala posters, downloadable, printable mandalas, etc. Mandalas are everywhere and for good reason.

Situations occur in life all the time but your ability to deal with them makes all the difference in your spirit and mood, and mandalas can help you get rid stress and negative feelings.

Cat Williams is a freelance writer and advocate of creating your own mandala designs for use in mediation and as a healing tool. To learn more about the benefits of mandalas, see her website at Self-Help-Healing-Arts-Journal.com.

Article courtesy of GoArticles.com

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