Mindful Mandala
People have been meditating for thousands of years, often as part of a spiritual practice. But in more recent years, mindfulness has become a popular way to help people manage their stress and improve their overall well-being.
Research has shown that practising mindfulness is very effective. Psychologists have found that mindfulness meditation changes our brain and biology in positive ways, improving mental and physical health. It is believed the benefits of mindfulness are related to its ability to dial down the body’s response to stress.
Chronic stress can impair the body’s immune system and make exacerbate many other health problems. By lowering the stress response, mindfulness may have downstream effects throughout the body.
Mindfulness has two main parts: attention and acceptance.
A very popular and enjoyable method of mindfulness is the making of Mandalas. When making Mandalas you can fall into a reflective state of being aware of the present moment.
Mandalas are highly meditative and calming, as the focus is on creative symbolism and self-expression, mandalas can be simple or intricate through the use of balance-symmetry and repetitive geometric patterns and the use of colours.
The word Mandala means “circles” in Sanskrit. These sacred symbols are used for meditation, prayer, healing and art therapy for both adults and children. Mandalas may assist in supporting the immune system as the creative process leads to stress reduction, lowering pain and blood pressure, promoting sleep and easing depression.
The reason behind the enhanced therapeutic effects of colouring Mandalas is the use of fine repetitive movements that give one the ability to stay focused on the activity at hand leading to mindfulness or ‘being in the present moment. The result is positive physiological changes and a relaxation effect within the body.
Your Mandala is your sacred circle, and it tells your story. Drawing mandalas as a form of art therapy can reduce anxiety, tension, and overall stress. Drawing stimulates creativity and is a way to release emotional blockages.
Many people find it beneficial to join Mandala Therapy classes and social groups for inspiration, guidance and techniques to create their own personal Mandala.
