A mandala is a spiritual and ritual symbol, representing the universe. The basic form of most mandalas is a square with four gates containing a circle with a center point.
Its a motif that I recognize from yoga and meditation practice, but have returned to as an aspect of “untetheredness”. These snapshots are meant to be sent, lost, found, eaten, or otherwise made ephemeral. In any case, they are to be breathed in, a vehicle for arriving to the moment. Then I say, “thank you, mandala” and it is time to go. It’s a practice of mandala-to-go.
Carl Jung used mandalas as an art therapy to help focus a chaotic mind, a preparation for other types of work. They also help me in this way, to busy the hands into little lightning rods until the storm passes.
UPDATE 1/6/16: Revisiting this post because its just perfect for this.
[…] As it gets easier to let go of material possessions, it gets more and more important that I can find moments of groundedness and momentary attachment. Doodles and any old wheel rolling by become my Mandala To-Go: […]