The healing powers of the Mandala.

Posted byshilpaguptePosted inThe Art NookTags:,

 

It’s been some time now since I have been bitten by the Mandala bug. It was a design that quite intimidated me for the longest time! The intricate patterns, the minute detailing…all of it made me squint in awe at every Mandala I came across. It made me wonder if I would ever be able to make one myself.

So, to get over the fear, I decided to work on it, slowly and steadily. And, today, after making quite a few of these exquisite patterns, I feel so proud of my work. Of course, I still have miles to go before I can call myself an expert mandala artist because I know the number of errors in my designs.

However, it is more to do with the effect it has on my mind than how it turns out that matters to me most. Drawing a mandala is the most satisfying, comforting, calming art activity I have ever indulged in. I enjoy pencil sketches, too, but the intricate patterns in a mandala have the power to improve your concentration.

The focus is all on the design, on how the pen works. And, when you focus 100% on the activity, you are bound to forget everything that bothers you otherwise.

So, sharing today, everything you wanted to know about the Mandala, and also the healing powers of the Mandala.

BENEFITS OF MAKING THE MANDALA

Making a mandala has quite a few benefits.

For someone who may be striving to concentrate, to overcome the edginess, the anxiety, making a mandala is sure to help you calm down.

It helps you learn to express yourself better. The various shapes and patterns you draw give you the freedom to think. There is no hard and fast rule as to using particular patterns for a mandala. You can use any shapes and symbols–geometric or ornamental– that come to your mind at the moment. This flexibility helps you learn to express yourself freely.

As a result of this freedom of expression, the tensed up mind relaxes, your anxiety and anguish comes under control–a fact I can totally vouch for.

Once your anxiety diminishes, you feel mentally at peace with the world and with yourself. You become oblivious to the disturbing thoughts that crowd your mind.

The mandala I am sharing today took me more than an hour and a half to make. And, those were the most peaceful moments for me today!

To put it simply, mandala making is like meditating, when your mind is free of any thoughts and at peace.

HOW TO MAKE A MANDALA:

Making a mandala is really not as difficult as it appears. All you need is a paper, pencil, compass, scale and an eraser to draw a circular grid with the help of which you make the mandala patterns.

You can draw the patterns with a pencil and then go over them with your ink pen/Zentangle pen/Pilot pen, or even a ballpoint pen.

METHOD:

On a paper, find the center point and draw concentric circles of varied sizes.

Then, draw lines to help you space your patterns and guide you as you draw.

Once you have drawn these lines, begin to make the motifs.

There are various motifs, shapes, and symbols you can make. They could be as simple as doodles, petals, leaves, flowers, triangles, semi-circles, circles, lines, or paisleys, heart, and fish motifs…you just need to set your mind free to choose whichever shape it likes best!

Sharing some of the mandalas I tried.

So, don’t you think this is the most satisfying and relaxing activity? Of course, there are many other, too, like knitting, crocheting, sewing, painting….but, mandala making is what I prefer.

How about you? Would you like to give it a try?

Do share with me if and when you do make one. I would love to see your creation!

Love,

SHILPA…

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The HEALING POWERS of the MANDALA

Published by shilpagupte

Do you know the secret to living a happy life? Eat. Pray. Love. Or, watch what you eat, wish well for all and fill your heart with love! That's precisely what I try to do through my blogs: 'Metanoia', the wellness blogazine, and 'Fictionista', my blog for fiction and non-fiction. Welcome to my virtual homes!

64 thoughts on “The healing powers of the Mandala.”

  6. Shilpa, I love your drawings and their precision. But I didn’t know so much effort went into it. It looks like geometry lessons all over again. I lack patience and focus, so for taking Mandala, I need to gather both. May be I will take it up one day, though the drawings might not turn out as well as yours do. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thank you so much, Anshu!
      I too didn’t know it was this much hard work until I began doing it. But, it is also calming and distracting, and so I don’t mind the hard work! I love it! 🙂
      ❤

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    1. It is such a mindful activity, Sanch!I just get lost in it…something I so need at times when feeling low, or lonely, or anxious. Of course, there are times when the mood doesn’t seem right for drawing and then I don’t feel like doing anything, or I am overly critical of my work, but at the end of the day, I love it all! 🙂

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  8. “when you focus a 100% on the activity, you are bound to forget everything that bothers you otherwise.”

    Excellent post Shilpa.It could very well be suggested as a way to curb anxiety,as you have so lucidly stated.I am sending the link to my granddaughter who likes to doodle.

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    Reply

    1. Thank you so much, Indu ji!
      Yes, my art helps me calm my mind and control my anxiety, which can leave me feeling restless at times. Just sitting at my table, concentrating on the work at hand helps me distract my mind and also feel good about myself.

      Thank you for visiting! 🙂

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    1. Oh, come on, Shalz! You are an interior designer, and I can imagine the number of designs you must have made, tried, for your work. Of course, your designs are different than these, but I am sure you will manage these, too!
      ❤

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  15. Dear Shilpa,

    These are stunning and I am in awe of your precision and patience. I’ve drawn one or two mandalas and I have loved the process. I started zentagling five years back when Ma was detected with the Big C. It gave me lot of strength, calm and hope.
    But I haven’t been regular thereafter.

    I am going to book mark this post of yours and if you allow me, I shall try my hand at your stunning mandalas.
    Btw, my ten year-old also digs your art.

    Lots of love and more power to your creative soul. ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Hahaha!
      Thank you, Anu!
      Actually, when I first saw a mandala, I was pretty confused and had no idea what went into the process of making a complicated design that at the same time looked so soothing to the eyes. And, that’s why it was on my mind since some time to video tape it while I made it and share it here.
      Would love to hang one on my walls someday.
      ❤

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  17. Hats off to you, dear Shilpa. You are so good at this. Makes this seem so easy and doable according to the step by step guide you’ve put up for us. I will surely try making a Mandala one day. It is so so therapeutic…any art for that matter and especially Zentangling. Kudos for the amazing display of talent you’ve shown in your journey of learning and growing as an artist. I feel so inspired always. ❤

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    Reply

      1. Ι start to design mandala during my pregnancy its help me so much

        Like

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