by atmara | Aug 29, 2011 | Art, Inspiration, Mandala Monday, Mandalas
Every year I stop from time to time and create a mandala. For some unplanned reason I usually end up with about 12 by the end of the summer. This year I had exactly 12, just the right amount for a new calendar. Each series seem to name itself, much in the same way the mandalas create themselves, I hold the mouse and the ideas of what to do next appear. I ask what to call them, and the name appears.
In the past few years groups of mandalas have called forth names like Mandalas from the Heart of Truth, Mandalas of Healing & Awakening, Mandalas from the Heart of Surrender, and Mandalas from the Heart of Peace. Recently I heard someone use the words “Deep Trust” (thank you Amy!). These words penetrated my heart so profoundly I knew I had heard the name of this year’s set of mandalas.
So here are the first 4 mandalas from the set Mandalas of Deep Trust.
Enjoy!
Mandalas of Deep Trust, No. 1
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Mandalas of Deep Trust, No. 2
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Mandalas of Deep Trust, No. 3
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Mandalas of Deep Trust, No. 4
These images, and all my artwork, can be purchased as prints, gifts and calendars in my Zazzle Store, http://www.zazzle.com/New_World_Creations?rf=238526469533245868
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I look forward to your thoughts and comments!
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by atmara | Aug 22, 2011 | Art, Mandala Monday, Mandalas, Sacred Geometry
Labyrinths, just like mandalas, have been used by people around the world to find one’s center through a spiritual journey. Although the oldest labyrinth that has been found to date is in Crete, this type of Sacred Geometry has been a longtime part of cultures such as America’s Hopi Tribes and Australian Aboriginal natives. Designs such as these have also been found in European cathedrals and even as a rock etching in England.
Although many people assume that all labyrinth are mazes, they’re not. Mazes are a part of the labyrinth family but labyrinths don’t offer any obstructions the way that mazes do. This means that you always have a clear path to the center without having to backtrack your journey.
Labyrinths have quite a long history. In fact, the clay tablet found in Greece, inspired the Classical Labyrinth and it dates back all the way to 1,200 BCE. If you have ever been in a European church, you may have found a Medieval Labyrinth on the floor. This variety is constructed with Sacred Geometry and offers four symbolic quadrants.
As you follow the circle inward, the labyrinth helps you find your own center. You will notice that the closer that you get to the center of the labyrinth, there are certain energies that become prevalent. As you journey to discover your relationship with your gods, the Earth and the universe, egos are pushed aside as you enter deeper into a meditative state.
Every labyrinth journey is different for each individual. There are no right or wrong rituals. The Journey of Life is a common ritual that takes on a journey to find your destiny once you arrive at the center. During this ritual you must pay attention to sounds and sights around you and envision your goals. As you make one turn after the other, some parts may be more difficult as they represent turning points and struggles in your personal life.
The Three Fold Path ritual is a Christian example. You signify Purgation as you release your inhibitions walking through the labyrinth. Insight and clarity are gained when you reach the center which signifies illumination. The path out is just as important as the journey in, this is where you use the insight that has been received to send into the world which represents Union.
Chartres Cathedral in France offers one of the world’s most famous labyrinths, for hundreds of years, pilgrims made the long journey here. Total enlightenment through God is achieved by using this prayer tool. Similar to a mandala, labyrinths can be used in many ways. Dance, crawl or pray silently along your journey, it doesn’t matter as long as it helps you reach your center.
A cross formation represents the eleven circuits which has four quadrants and a rosette center. This symbolizes the four regions. The cross where Christ died is a representation of this type of symbolic Sacred Geometry.
The Divine which you are trying to better understand or worship becomes more accessible to you as you open your soul, heart and mind by using labyrinths as mandalas. Meditation helps you achieve a clean slate and cleanses you inside as it brings you near the Divine. Along your journey, pray, meditate and think and once you reach the center, you will realize who you are and what your future holds.
Article by Epouna
www.meaningofmandalas.com
Images from Wikimedia Commons
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by atmara | Aug 15, 2011 | Art, Mandala Monday, Mandalas
Mandalas from the Heart of Peace 2 © Atmara Rebecca Cloe
Sanskrit for circle, mandalas have been used since ancient times to help individuals reach enlightenment and an overall sense of completeness. Cultures around the world have used mandalas for religious purposes and they have long been beneficial as a meditation and healing tool. Of course, it only makes sense that mandalas be used as a form of art therapy as well.
Although you may not realize it, mandalas are all around you from elements as small as atoms to large masses like the sun. Mandalas can be represented in literally every circle that has a center.
When used as art therapy, the therapeutic journey of finding one’s center is in the actual creation of the piece, not in the final product as you might expect. Colors and shapes are symbolic to the artist and only the artist can truly understand them. In essence, the creator is represented in the mandala itself. Any feelings, emotions and thoughts that are experienced by the artist along this journey are brought to life in the mandala as it’s being completed.
When mandalas are used in art therapy, the patient always chooses their medium because this is the initial step in their journey. There are no right or wrong choices. It doesn’t matter if paper, canvas, poster board or cardboard is used with water colors, oils, acrylics, markers, pastels or colored pencils, they can all equally be as symbolic as the next.
While the patient is creating their mandala, they should write down the colors that they use as well as how they were feeling or what they were thinking about when they used each color. Soft and hard lines as well as various shapes and images are all symbolic as well. Mandalas never have coincidences or accidents, everything is created for a reason.
The circular center is the most important aspect of a mandala and the only part that you really need to be concerned with during the creation of the piece. When mandalas are used in various cultures and religions, the center is where deities reside. It is important that during the creation of a mandala, you radiate outward from the center, for this is where the heart and soul are construed.
It is essential that while you take your therapeutic mandala journey that you never lose site of yourself, where you have come from and where you hope to arrive. Take the time to enjoy the process and appreciate what you are creating.
There are many benefits to be received by the patient who is using a mandala as art therapy. Their mood will be enhanced to a more positive state, self-improvement levels will rise and there is a significant increase in self-awareness.
Breathing, heart rate and blood pressure become significantly slower as the patient gradually becomes more entranced in their mandala creation journey and they become one with the piece to arrive at their center. Mandalas also offer mental stimulation which is always beneficial for any person, patient or not.
As spiritual transformation and wholeness take over, healing is permitted to take place. This is why mandalas have been used as a beneficial form for therapy since ancient times.
Article by Epouna
www.meaningofmandalas.com
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