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A Mandala

© Regenia G. Butcher

Grains of sand flow through the fingertips like grains of sand through the narrow passage of an hourglass. Colorful grains painstakingly and meaningfully filling in their intended areas within the circle of designs. Designs that were pre-drawn, precisely calculated, symmetrical and symbolic...this is a mandala. An expression of the soul's searching, of the emotions' yearning and a melding of the physical, emotional and spiritual realms into a wondrous intermingling...into one...this is a mandala.

In early India, a mandala was a platform upon which a monk was ordained or a king was "coronated". In Tibet, mandalas were an important part of a monk's life and serious study was devoted toward learning every aspect of them. When Tibet was taken by China, thousands of Tibetans (along with the Dalai Lama) left for India and Nepal. Monks that left took with them practiced traditions in order to ensure their preservation. Mandala sand painting ceremonies were part of that tradition and thus, continue today.

There are several reasons for creating a mandala: to obtain a closeness with a specific deity, to honor one's teacher, to journey inward and discover the "self". Mandalas constructed for spiritual ceremonies and initiations are expected to be perfectly made according to tradition - afterall, they're representing sacred endeavors.

Mandalas encompass the internal and external search for answers and the continuing effort to find balance and harmony in one's life.

For many years, Tibetan mandala ceremonies were private. In 1988, however, monks from Namgyal Monastery (the Dalai Lama's personal monastery) held a six-week ceremony at the American Museum of Natural History in New York. It received such overwhelming interest by the public that mandala ceremonies have been held by the Dalai Lama and Namgyal Monastery monks at other museums and galleries.

More and more people are now constructing their own mandalas as a way of de-stressing, healing, finding a connection with their inner being and a connection with the universe itself. Each sand painting created in this way is personally unique, guided by the inner voice and desires of that individual.

When making a mandala, the ideal way to begin is from the center and work outward. The word "mandala" means "essence contained" or "essence in a container". Symbolically, every aspect of the mandala that we create reveals a part of who we are. We begin with a "blank page" and fill it in with expressions of our essence. This could, of course, be said of every artistic venture. But it's an even more important element with mandalas, for with every grain of sand that you pour onto the circle, you're also pouring out your doubts, concerns, sadness, anger and confusions. In return, you soon discover a design of colorful beauty that, like a puzzle, holds your emotions and reflects them back to you. Very fitting and meaningful.