5 real benefits of painting mandalas

What are the benefits of mandalas? The word “mandala” comes from Sanskrit and means ‘sacred circle’. These representations in the form of circles are used in different cultures, such as Buddhist, Hindu, Christian and in some indigenous tribes, as an artistic element or a means for the person to find themselves.

According to the beliefs of some cultures, mandalas are related to the energies of life. For example, in Eastern cultures it is believed that each color is associated with a chakra. These energy centers are connected with our being and the environment and promote well-being. Therefore, mandalas containing them also favor it. They are a wonderful legendary technique that brings us multiple benefits.

Benefits of drawing mandalas that will surprise you

Mandalas can vary in color and design, but basically they are made up of a center and different figures in the four cardinal points. In this way, it is believed that On a psychological level they can represent the entirety of our being.. According to some defenders of this practice, each person responds to them instinctively, regardless of their age, gender, race, culture…

The magic of mandalas, and at the same time their therapeutic power, consists of letting ourselves be carried away by the unconscious, without worrying about the final result of the drawing. That is, without judging whether it is looking good or bad, pretty or ugly… We just need to be present and concentrated, giving us freedom to color as we please.

1. Mandalas provide relaxation

Designing and coloring mandalas helps focus attention, therefore they are an excellent exercise to calm the feeling of stress. and clear our minds. In fact, mandalas are designed to free us from worries because they encourage concentration on the present, which is why they are a powerful relaxation tool.

2. Deep connection, one of the most surprising benefits of mandalas

Mandalas make it easier for us to connect with the most intimate part of ourselves, thus promoting self-knowledge. They are a wonderful exercise in reflection on our place in the world and the relationship we have with others. These artistic representations allow us to connect with the deepest forces within ourselves and the universe, through the energies that flow with each shape and color.

3. Promotes meditation

As research published in 2019 by the University of Lima maintains, Mandalas are a form of meditation that help us focus our attention. In this way, they promote harmony, since energies flow through their shapes and colors, transforming negative aspects into positive ones, bringing balance to our lives.

We must not forget that the arrangement of the mandalas is from the center to the outside, which It allows the person to connect, free themselves, rebuild and relate. All this through projection through the selection of colors and figures.

4. Creativity and mandalas

Mandalas are an artistic representation of free design, that is, we can draw them however we want. Now, if we don’t feel like designing them, we can also buy books and notebooks to color them. As we see, there are many options.

An interesting aspect of mandalas is that they are related to creativity because they allow colors and shapes to be used with complete freedom. In other words, They facilitate the creative process and are a source for generating new ideas. Furthermore, each shape and color represents unconscious aspects of the person. Some of its meanings are the following:

Red. Passion, sensuality, strength, power and aggressiveness. First chakra.Orange. Pleasure, glory, vanity, progress and energy. Second chakra.Yellow. Joy, will and novelty. Third chakra.Green. Hope, carefreeness and nature. Fourth chakra.Blue. Tranquility, seriousness, respect and communication. Fifth chakra.Violet. Meditation, creativity and oscillation. Sixth chakra.White. Peace, harmony, kindness, delicacy and shyness. Seventh chakra.Black. Depth, mystery, authority, dignity, security, sadness and mourning.Circle. Dynamism and connection with the cosmos.Cross. Unconscious and conscious, union of heaven and earth.Triangle. Transformation and vitality.Square. Stability and balance.Labyrinth. Search for your own center.

5. Mandalas to decorate

Mandalas can also be used to decorate our home or workplace. Some decorative ideas are the following:

Paint mandalas on stones and use them as ornamental objects.Knit a mandala and use it as a blanket. Put a mandala tapestry on the wall. Make decorative paintings.

6. Therapeutic benefits of mandalas according to different branches of psychology

Mandalas have been recognized in psychology as a therapeutic element. The Swiss psychologist Carl Jung proposed that they are representations of our mind that facilitate concentration, transformation and assimilation of unconscious aspects. He suggested that we can project what we feel and think onto mandalas.

Besides, different branches of psychology have talked about its benefits. Transpersonal psychology considers mandalas as an exercise to foster deep connection. And cognitive and behavioral psychology as a tool to improve higher functions such as memory, attention, perception, and visual-motor coordination.

These representations are also used in other areas. For example, in occupational therapy, since through cognitive stimulation they promote performance in daily activities. Additionally, they are used in educational environments to facilitate concentration, attention, and discipline.

7. An opportunity to express ourselves

Life is full of ups and downs and we often need a space where we can vent and express difficult experiences. To do this, we can talk to someone we trust or write how we feel but, if we don’t feel like it, we can also express ourselves through mandalas.

In this case, said art It is an excellent tool to accept, express and transform our emotional states that are difficult to process.. In fact, it is a very useful means to manage those affects that are at a more unconscious level.

8. The rational part is allowed to rest

Day-to-day routines make the rational part of the brain (left hemisphere) work more. On the other hand, the creative part (right hemisphere) may be less overactivated. That’s why, When painting mandalas, the right and left hemispheres come together at the same level of collaborationas supported by the following research developed in 2019 at the University of Valladolid.

9. You dedicate time to yourself while strengthening your immune system, one of the most enriching benefits of mandalas

Painting mandalas not only contributes to improving the psychological and personal state, but also With this activity the immune system is stimulated. In fact, as suggested by the following study developed at the National University of Rosario, concentration is improved, pain is reduced and sleep is also promoted.

10. Connect with your inner child

Coloring is an activity that we usually associate with childhood.. As we become adults, we put away colored pencils and markers, except to underline notes or reports. However, this hobby can be very beneficial not only because it generates well-being and tranquility, but because it also stimulates different brain areas related to the senses and creativity.

In this way, color can be considered an act of meditation in itself because it helps us focus our thoughts on the activity we are carrying out and connect with our creativity and our inner child. In moments, everything fades and only we are present with the colors and the drawing.

11. Promotes motor skills

The development of fine motor skills, especially in childhood, is very important. Therefore, if you want to enhance this process, color the geometric shapes of the mandalas. It helps people perfect the coordination of hand movements and also enhance vision.

Furthermore, as revealed by the following research developed in 2019 within the Technical University of Ambato, it is recommended to carry out this activity in the classrooms. Especially if the learning experiences for some students generate demotivation, lack of creativity or boredom.

The benefits of mandalas open doors for you, and you don’t have to be a child to let them pass

As we see, There are many benefits that we can obtain through mandalas. These artistic representations are a source of relaxation, liberation and have a profound creative power. Why not try them?

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