Discover what Mandala is and learn to use it in meditation in 6 steps

Most likely, you’ve seen this drawing around and wondered “what is mandala”? It is everywhere: in fabrics, clothes, decorative objects, tattoos, jewelry, among others.

But, the true meaning of the Mandala comes from Buddhism, where it represents various elements of the universe. Find out in this article!

What is Mandala?

A mandala is a spiritual and ritual symbol of Asian cultures. It can be understood in two different ways:

• Externally as a visual representation of the universe;
• Internally as a guide to various practices that occur in many Asian traditions, including meditation.

In Hinduism and Buddhism, the belief is that as you enter the Mandala and move towards its center, you are guided by the cosmic process of transforming suffering into joy and happiness.

What is the meaning of Mandala?

The meaning of Mandala is, in Sanskrit, “circle”. Mandalas are believed to represent different aspects of the universe. They are used as meditation tools and prayer symbols, mainly in China, Japan and Tibet.

In their most basic form, Mandalas are circles contained within a square and arranged in sections around a single central point.

They are usually produced in paper or fabric, drawn on a surface with threads, in bronze, in ceramic or built in stone.

While extraordinary as a stand-alone work of art, Mandalas hold symbolic and meditative meaning in addition to their vibrant appearance.

History of Mandalas

Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism, was born in the region now known as Nepal. Although there is no confirmed date of his birth, historians believe it to be around 560 BC.

It is understood that Gautama left his realm after becoming aware of human suffering, where he sought to achieve enlightenment through meditation and conscious action.

He began preaching his philosophy in parts of India, where he gained a devout following and eventually established the first Buddhist community of sangha monks.

When these Buddhist monks traveled the Silk Road, an ancient network of trade routes linking East and West, they brought Buddhism to other lands.

They carried Mandalas with them and brought the practice of painting these spiritual compositions to other parts of Asia, appearing in regions such as Tibet, China and Japan in the 4th century.

Although rooted in Buddhism, Mandalas soon became present in Hinduism and other religious practices.

Types of Mandalas

There are several types of Mandalas found in different cultures and used for a multitude of purposes, both artistically and spiritually.

Below are three main types of Mandalas and how they are used.

Teaching Mandala

Teaching Mandalas are symbolic and each shape, line and color represents a different aspect of a philosophical or religious system.

The student creates his own Mandala based on design and construction principles, projecting a visual symbolization of everything he has learned.

Teaching mandalas serve as colorful mind maps for their creators.

Healing Mandala

Healing Mandalas are more intuitive than teaching Mandalas and are made for the purpose of meditation.

Healing Mandalas are meant to provide wisdom, evoke feelings of calm, and channel focus and concentration.

sand mandala

Buddhist monks and Navajo cultures have long used Sand Mandalas as a traditional and religious element.

These designs use a variety of symbols made from colored sand that represent the impermanence of human life.

Mandala Symbolism

For you to understand what Mandala is, you need to understand its symbolism. Within its intricate circular patterns, you can find symbols common to all Mandalas.

Traditionally, they include the presence of the Buddha’s mind in an abstract form, most commonly represented as a wheel, tree, flower, or jewel.

The center is a point, which is a symbol considered dimensionless. It is interpreted as the starting point, the beginning of contemplation and devotion to the divine.

From there, the point is surrounded by lines and geometric patterns that symbolize the universe, encompassed by the outer circle that represents the cyclical nature of life.

Some common symbols within the Mandala

Wheel with eight spokes: The circular nature of a wheel works as an artistic representation of a perfect universe. The eight rays represent the Eightfold Path of Buddhism, a summary of the practices that lead to liberation and rebirth.

bells: The bells represent an opening and emptying of the mind to allow in wisdom and clarity.

Triangle: When facing up, triangles represent action and energy. When facing downwards, they represent creativity and the pursuit of knowledge.

Lotus flower: A sacred symbol in Buddhism, the symmetry of a lotus portrays balance. A lotus emerges from water into light. The same is true of a human reaching spiritual awakening and enlightenment. See the full meaning of the lotus flower.

Sun: A popular basis for modern Mandala standards, suns tend to represent the universe, often carrying meanings related to life and energy.

Some more modern Mandalas even mix symbols from other rituals, such as the Greek Eye Mandala.

Mandala – What is it for?

Mandalas are used for a variety of religious traditions, meditation and modern contexts.

The traditional Tibetan Mandala, found in Buddhism, depicts the enlightened state of Buddha through sand art. Patterns are formed on the ground using metal and a small tube to create the exact texture and organization of the grains.

Creating this can take weeks, and soon after completion it is destroyed to align with the Buddhist belief that nothing is permanent.

As far as the modern context is concerned, Mandalas are used in a variety of ways. In yoga, they represent the same ancient ideals: a sacred space to ward off outside influences.

Mandalas are often positioned around the studio and sometimes even drawn during meditation periods.

Likewise, Mandala art is used in healing circles, a practice that derives from Native Americans. Circles are often associated with restoring the body, mind and heart.

Mandalas have also been found on dreamcatchers as a means of protecting the sleeping individual.

How to meditate with Mandala

see the step by step for you to meditate using a fabric on the floor, a design or a decorative Mandala object.

Step 1

Choose a Mandala and place it on a table or floor in front of you. Another option is to hang a Mandala, like the Meditation Glass Mandalaat eye level.

Then sit comfortably. If the Mandala is on the floor, you can sit cross-legged on a cushion.

If you have hung or placed the Mandala on a table, sit in a chair at a height where you can see the Mandala symbol and keep your feet flat on the floor.

step 2

Breathe slowly and deeply through your diaphragm, emptying and calming your mind.

step 3

Gently look at the Mandala and relax your eyes so that, initially, the image is slowly out of focus.

step 4

Be silent, fully focus on the image and allow its shapes, patterns and colors to work in your unconscious mind.

If distracted thoughts arise, let them pass and gently bring your focus back to the Mandala. learn some meditation techniques for beginners.

step 5

Do this for at least 5 minutes initially. In later sessions, gradually try to increase your meditation period to 15 minutes.

step 6

When you’re ready, slowly turn your attention to the world around you.