MANDALA – Circle of life
Here I am today attempting to understand the meaning of “mandala”.
When I was studying in year 5/6, I had been on a vacation to Jaipur, Rajasthan in India with my parents and my lovely twin sister and naughty little brother. I remember seeing these beautiful and colourful intricate patterned bed sheets hung in the balconies on clothesline.
Today I know these are called “Mandala “. As I source these beautiful fabric mandala designs, for my homewares online store, from India, which can be used as tapestry, bed sheets, throws, blankets, picnic rugs, table cloth etc. You can view the collection here. I am in love with these designs, patterns and colours they bring bohemian flare to any interior space.
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I hung up one of these beauties for our product shoot by my handsome and talented photographer aka my hubby and was just lost in its divinity. Its awesome feeling in spite of so many colours and intricate patterns its still brings calmness and clarity in you…. That’s when I started researching the meaning of “Mandala”.
So as per the Wikipedia mandala means …. It is a spiritual and ritual symbol in Indian religions, representing the universe. In common use, mandala has become a generic term for any diagram, chart or geometric pattern that represents the cosmos metaphysically or symbolically; a microcosm of the universe.
The basic form of most mandalas is a square with four gates containing a circle with a center point. Each gate is in the general shape of a T. Mandalas often exhibit radial balance. Mandala is any geometric design, usually circular, symbolizing the universe in Hinduism and Buddhism as an aid to meditation.
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Since then I have seen beautiful pictures of Mandala on Pinterest, Instagram and everywhere on the net. I was also amazed to find Mandala Colouring books for kids and adults. These help to bring concentration and focus as well as give a choice of expression to what colours you want in your life. Colours represent meaning ….. that’s a totally vast topic by itself. I am planning to soon get myself colouring Mandala book … can’t wait to try it out……
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Mandala designs are also used in tattoos, again creativity and free expression of oneself. And my favourite .....flower mandala…... Oh yes a great outlet for designing, creating and expressing your feelings in a structured way along with free flowing thoughts and being thankful and grateful to nature.
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So Mandala is a form of expression which can help you meditate and achieve peace and attain your goals. It’s a structured format of your identity and its surroundings, a full circle of your world…….. the earth, moon, sun, nature and circle of family and friends……
And here it is what MANDALA is for me … your own upliftment through mediation ………. A complete Circle of Life.
Hope each and everyone of you achieve your goals and peace in life by finding your Mandala.
Namaste !!
Sheetal
2 Responses
Abigail miranda
Amazing blog
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Andrea
October 24, 2016
Sheetal, I can feel the passion you have for the ‘mandala’. They are beautiful and I can only imagine the serenity, one can experience while meditating within it’s never ending circle of beauty and life. God Bless.