In the tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, Mandalas
play a significant part in ritual celebrations. They are usually
"painted" on a large table with colored sands. The
form has a center with squares, circles and crosses that radiate
out from that center. There are many small symbols of life forming
complex patterns in their large "Wheel of Time" It
is believed that the people who view it will be blessed or renewed
by their pilgrimage and devotion. It is part of a huge community
celebration in which many monks trained in the craft of sand
painting take part. Native American Shamans have instinctively
turned to sand painting as a way of healing an individual. These
sand paintings are scaled down to the space within a tent. The
person in need of healing, sits in the middle of the tent. The
shaman / artist begins creating intuitive, healing forms of
colored sand all around the patient. They are intended to heal
the problem
or eliminate the evil spirit from their life.
Carl Jung discovered that the phenomena of Mandala painting
was practiced in cultures all over the world, throughout human
history. He felt that the form may be produced spontaneously
by the psyche, soul or spirit and seems to have a sacred healing
power.
There was a stage in my life, when I had little time to meet
my commitments, during a difficult period. I found that the
discipline of meditation was helpful. When I finally had the
time to actually paint, small centered images came to me spontaneously.
The images flowed onto the paper almost effortlessly. It felt
like an act of prayer. I feel they are a special, mysterious
gift that comes when needed.
Meditation disciplines prepare one to receive the gift and
create a healing art.
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