Mandala

Joanna's Mandala's

The word “Mandala” is a Sanskrit word that means “whole world” or "healing circle". The Tibetan word is "kilkhor" which means "centre of the circle with exteriors walls and surrounding environment. The mandala originated from the Middle East where they assisted Buddhist Monks in meditation, initiations, healings and prayer. Some beautiful mandalas originated in Tibet and India, but they are also found in many other cultures all over the world, including in Hindustan and India.

The circle symbolises the infinity of life and the geometrical designs often represent various gods and other religious symbols. In the West they are often incorporated in lead glass windows and other religious art. Mandalas can be made with many different materials, such as paper, textiles, water paint, clay and monks for instance have used coloured sand.

The integrated view of the world represented by the mandala's has now begun to emerge in Western religious and secular cultures.

Tips for drawing Mandala's:

Play some relaxing music such as new-age CD, classical music or any music that you like.
Make sure you find a quiet place where you won’t be disturbed.
Relax and empty your mind.
Close your eyes and concentrate on your inner feelings. A short meditation is a good way to start.

The mandala's presented on this site have developed over a period of three years and are a record of a journey which is both personal and transpersonal. It is a personal journey in that the mandalas were painted at a particular time and place in my life and a transpersonal one in that the principles underlying mandalas are universal and timeless.

See below and also to the next two galleries for an overview of my collection:

Gallery 1