How to create a Mandala - connecting to the present

A Mandala is a geometric design or pattern, often circular in nature they can also include squares and other shapes, the key being that the image grows outward from a central point. The word Mandala comes from the ancient Indian language Sanskrit, where it means "circle".

Mandalas have roots in various cultures and spiritual traditions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Native American Traditions and Christianity. Within these traditions the mandala is used as a symbolic representation of the cosmos or divine energy, to aid meditation practice, within healing ceremonies and storytelling and to symbolise unity or a divine order.

Carl Jung, a famous Psychotherapist, used mandala drawing within his therapeutic practice to assist healing and self discovery of clients. He determined that mandala drawing can reflect one's self-perception and current mood.

"I discover what the mandala really is: … the Self, the wholeness of the personality, which if all goes well is harmonious’ — Carl Jung, Memories, Dreams, Reflections, pp. 195–196.

Jung is often credited for introducing and influencing the therapeutic use of the mandala to the Western world.

We see this influence today in the field of modern psychology as well as more mainstream, everyday wellbeing practices. The predominance of mandalas can be seen thematically in wellness trends or products and within therapeutic colouring books. The Mandala also takes on a more official role in the field of Art Therapy for facilitating self-awareness and healing in a therapeutic space.

The Mandala presents as a somewhat universal and timeless symbol or tool for introspection, growth, and the pursuit of wholeness or healing. 

Encouraging a focus on creation and form, the mandala appears as a tool for calming the mind, feeling present and fostering inner awareness.

A mindful connection to the present is considered a key concept in achieving psychological flexibility and overall resilience. This allows people to adapt to changing circumstances, challenging thoughts, and emotions, while living in line with their core values, to feel purpose and meaning in life.

Here is how you may have your own …

create a mandala

Materials You'll Need

1. Paper or Canvas: Any blank surface to draw on.

2. Drawing Tools/Materials: Pencils, pens, markers, colored pencils or paint. Maybe tactile items like buttons, gems, or little shapes cut out of card/papers.

3. Circular item: plates, bowls etc.

4. A peaceful place to work.

   Step-by-Step Process

   1. Prepare Your Workspace

   • Find a quiet and comfortable space.

   • Gather all your materials.

   • Set an intention or focus for your mandala (e.g., relaxation, gratitude, healing).

   2. Draw a Guideline

   • Start by drawing a circle. You can use a compass or trace an object like a bowl or lid.

   • Lightly draw several concentric circles within the main circle to serve as guides for your patterns.

   • Divide the circle into equal sections by drawing lines radiating from the center, like a pizza or a clock (e.g., 6, 8, or 12 sections). These will help ensure symmetry.

   3. Start at the Center

   • Begin designing your mandala at a center point. Most mandalas radiate outward from the middle. a central dot or fixed shape can be a great way to start.

   4. Add Repeating Patterns

   • Begining around the middle dot/shape, work your way out, adding circular layer by circular layer, until you’ve got many layers of pattern all the way to the edge of the circle.

     Use shapes like:

     • Petals

     • Arches

     • Triangles

     • Spirals

     • Geometric designs

   • Keep the patterns symmetrical by repeating the same shapes in each section.

   • These can be drawn, painted or cut from papers/card and glued down. maybe you want to use textile like buttons or gems.

   5. Allow your intuition to guide your design—there’s no “right” or “wrong” way.

   6. Take time to pause and reflect on you final mandala and the creation process.

   Do you feel different after creating your Mandala?

   What do your mandalas features say to you? Have you focused on curves and dots? Straight lines and points? Do these features connect with you and maybe how you are feeling or what you are experiencing?

Mandala art  can help you discover more about yourself and your intuition, as you allow yourself to fall into the rhythmic process of creating them, allowing your instinct to guide you in choices of shape, colour and size.

Mandalas can be a unique way to keep an eye on how you’re feeling over time. Using them when you’re feeling stressed or need of rest, can help you in the present moment for grounding and then may also provide insight when you look back at your feelings later.

Enjoy the process!,

Georgina

See also this post on mandala making in nature!

References:

Jung, C. G. (1995). Memories, dreams, reflections (R. Winston & C. Winston, Trans.). Fontana Press.