Mandalas - Jean Anne Zollars, PT, DPT, MA

What is a Mandala?

Mandala is the Sanskrit word for “sacred circle”.  This circle with a center has been used to symbolize wholeness, community or connection. The pattern of a circle within a circle is commonly found in nature.  Examples include cells, the earth within the solar system, flowers, rings and spider webs.

In Native American, Hindu and Buddhist traditions, mandalas have been used to assist with healing of the body, mind and spirit. When a meditation practitioner focuses on a sacred mandala, it can aid in achieving higher levels of consciousness.   C. J. Jung utilized mandalas to access the “unconscious” to assist with the healing of the psyche.   He said that a mandala symbolizes “a safe refuge of inner reconciliation and wholeness”.

Mandalas are used in art.  Hildegard von Bingen, a Christian nun in the 12th century, created many mandalas to express her beliefs and visions.  Mandalas have been used by many religions in their architecture – Muslim mosques, Buddhist stupas and Christian cathedrals.  Tibetan monks and the Native Americans create intricate sand mandalas to demonstrate the impermanence of life.

At The Mandala Center, mandalas have many meanings.  One is that while working on a specific area in the body or psyche, we recognize that this work affects the whole being and universe.  Also, the mandala is a representation of individuals coming together to create something bigger than themselves while maintaining their uniqueness.  Each practitioner has his/her unique skills, techniques, personalities – which are respected and encouraged here.  At the same time, the practitioners find where and how we can come together to most beneficially assist the client.  At the mandala center, practitioners come together to expand their skills, practice and treat each other in study groups.

The Mandala Project is an on-line non-profit project dedicated to promoting unity.  Anyone and everyone, regardless of race, gender, location or beliefs is invited to submit their own personal mandalas.   They state, “Honoring what we have in common while respecting our differences increases our capacity for peace”.  For further information on the Mandala Project contact them at: www.mandalaproject.org.