Category: Entry 1 (Page 2 of 2)

The origin of the nonviolent practice of mandala making comes from both Hindu and Buddhist traditions, in which the word, mandala, means “circle.” However, looking at a more expansive definition, the word signifies “universe” or “world.”

The practice of mandala making has been around for centuries and has been a way of reflecting one’s inner spirit through art. Each mandala created possesses one’s interpretation of how they view the universe and their connection between the world we all live in and themselves. Though mandalas hold this universal definition, the true meaning of each mandala is dependent upon the creator or artist, making every mandala unique to one another. While the task of mandala making is a form of mediation, the practice also encourages the creator to take time to explore their mind and inner thoughts.

I chose to invest my time in mandala making for my personal project because I am looking to experience both that feeling of relaxation and self exploration. In the past, I have found myself frequently tapping into my artistic side for enjoyment, however as time has passed I have had less opportunities to allot time to do such artistic activities. Though I have never created a mandala before, being a practice of art, I am hoping that this project will allow me to take time out of my day to focus on something that I truly enjoy. I hope to experiment with the art of mandala making through incorporating my own personal spin on the practice, while also exploring the traditional aspects of the art. I am excited to actively devote my time to practice non-violence and hope to gain a positive experience from mandala making.

Buddha once said, “Those who are free of resentful thoughts surely find peace.” With this in mind, I chose to practice yoga throughout the rest of the semester. Yoga is a practice that I have been interested in for a very long time, but never fully committed to the process. It seemed that I never had enough time in the day between going to school and soccer practice to set aside time for myself and try something new.

Yoga is a practice that has been around since ancient times. Its original meaning is derived from the  Sanskrit root ‘Yuj’, meaning ‘to join’ or ‘to yoke’ or ‘to unite’. It’s aim is to create a balance between your mind and your body.

The physical benefits of yoga are large in number, and practicing yoga can greatly affect your physical health. Adding on, the psychological benefits of yoga are very promising as well. Yoga helps relive stress, increase body awareness, calms and centers the nervous system, as well as many other benefits. I used these factors as incentives to take up the practice of yoga with my goal being to achieve a greater balance of peace within my body. In other words, I hope to improve my physical and emotional health by practicing yoga. In doing so, I will try at least once a week to set aside time for myself to connect my mind to my body and find inner peace and harmony through the practice of yoga.

Fossils found in the Indus Saraswati valley civilization which indicate the presence of yoga in India during prehistoric times.

The term mandala derives from the Sanskrit word for “circle” or discoid object and is used in various cultures primarily for spiritual practice, internal reflection, and meditation among others. The mandala is an extremely personal device, as it can be as abstract or as organized as one desires to make it.  I chose to undertake the mandala as the topic for my personal project for multiple reasons. One of which is my interest in Buddhism, whose followers are the original architects of the mandala. Coincidentally, I have had a connection to the mandala symbol for a large portion of my life due to my Irish ancestry.

The earliest evidence of mandala art derives from Buddhism in Tibet. Devout followers of Siddhartha Gautama, The Buddha, created the mandala as a meditation exercise, a symbol, and a prayer form. In general, the mandala is a circle divided into four quadrants, all consisting of repeating geometric patterns. Its center point is usually the focus of the symbol, which can be a representation of virtue, a deity, a prayer, etc. Mandalas serve as a symbol of the universe, unity, and enlightenment as well as suffering. The creation of the mandala is meditation in itself, and once completed, it can be used as the focal point for deeper meditation still. Those who sought to extend Buddhism throughout Asia and beyond brought mandalas with them as a symbol of their faith and as a blessing during their journey. Thus, the mandala spread to be used in various cultures and religions.

Only through my research of the mandala did I realize that I had worn the ancient symbol for many years of my life. As a gift over birthdays or other celebrations, I had received multiple necklaces in the form of a Celtic cross. This was a sign of my Irish/Scottish background. The design on the cross is a variation of the mandala sign, as the symbol appears in some Christian art. Is the mandala’s reoccurrence in my life just a coincidence? Most likely, however, I do intend to practice more meditation using mandalas and hopefully, have a positive outcome as a result of this personal project.

This is a common mandala design.

Image of a Celtic cross

This is an image of my first mandala sketch