Mandala Art and Information

Popular in Tantric Buddhism, the mandala serves as means for mentally participating (through gazing and complex visualization) in perfected realms, known as pure lands, which allow the practitioner to transmute their own imperfections into the perfected qualities of various Buddhas. In his Introduction To Buddhism, Peter Harvey tells us that "The bands encircling the mandala mark off its pure, sacred area from the profane area beyond, and also suggest the unfolding of spiritual vision gained by a practitioner when he visualizes himself enter the mandala. Having crossed the threshold, he comes to the central citadel, representing the temple of his own heart." p264 Through this process of mandala meditation, the goal of the meditator is to "merge" with the form and consciousness of the perfected Buddha.

It is also a traditional practice to offer one's spiritual teacher or guru a mandala, as a symbolic offering of the entire cosmos, the central part of the mandala representing Mount Sumeru, the axis Mundi, or the center of the physical and spiritual universe. This representation of the mandala relates to the stupa, a domed mandala-like Buddhist burial monument or reliquary, which often contains the remains of a holy person and is considered a sacred place. The Experience of Buddhism, John S. Strong, p273.

In his book The Mission of Art, author and visionary artist Alex Grey states that "The mandala, or wheel form, is a perfect compositional device for representing the higher levels of unitive consciousness." p100

The mandala today often refers generally to a spiritual design, typically circular or symmetrical in nature, that calls to mind the spiritual dimensions of reality. Like the visual or written representation of the mantra, the mandala is a reminder of sacred places, beings, and states of consciousness. In this way, the mandala can help pull us out of the incessant chatter of our minds and daily stresses of our lives and bring us back to deep inner awareness and contemplative states.

The mandala is a tool for focus and contemplation, and can be used to create a sacred space or meditation room, or as a decorative element to remind us throughout the day of our spiritual nature. The cross pollination of cultures and ideas of today's information age has generated a wide variety of mandala forms, from the symmetrical and geometric, like mandalas based on the Metatron's Cube, to mandalas that are more free form and organic, to more traditional mandalas that are laden with images and symbolism. What is most important is that the individual finds an image that resonates with them and can help to bring about the desired environment for the spiritual practitioner.

View The Earth Ascension Mandala Poster

A mandala dedicated to world peace and raising collective consciousness.
From: Waking Minds
Size: 23" x 35"
Price: $22.99

View This Sacred Geometry Mandala

This sacred geometry print incorporates the Metatron's Cube and the Om (Aum) symbol.
From: Waking Minds
Size: 23" x 35"
Price: $22.99

View This Mandala on T-Shirts and Other Products

The Om symbol is emblazoned upon the Evolution's Hope Mandala.
From: Waking Minds

View This Mandala on T-Shirts and Other Products

The Metatron's cube form has been arranged into a six sided mandala for this striking image.
From: Waking Minds

View This Sacred Design on T-Shirts and Other Products

This is the sacred geometry figure known as Metatron's cube.
From: Waking Minds

View This Om Symbol on T-Shirts and Other Products

The Om (Aum) symbol is a sacred Sanskrit character said to be the creative sound of the universe.
From: Waking Minds

View This Mandala on T-Shirts and Other Products

Awaken hearts and minds with the elevation mandala design!
From: Waking Minds

View This Mandala on T-Shirts and Other Products

Gaia's mandala is a dedicated to Mother Earth, who is calling out for our help.
From: Waking Minds

Mandalas were primarily used for generating spiritual awareness by helping one overcome one's limited personal ego and identify instead with underlying reality or unitive consciousness as a way to merge with that consciousness. The process of mandala meditation is meant to dispel the delusions of the world and achieve transcendence. If cosmic consciousness is achieved or even tasted through mandala contemplation, healing may very well be possible. Mandalas today are reminders of our spiritual nature. Simply be reminding ourselves of a wider reality, we open ourselves to greater possibilities. Energy follows thought and intention, and so the mandala can help us to establish uplifting and healing thoughts, which may stimulate actual healing in our multidimensional being.