Art and Wellbeing - Mandalas

Mandala Session

Throughout the Mandala session, we were give the opportunity to create a mandala of our own once we had learnt a little about the history.
"Mandals is a Sanskrit word which means 'circle'. It is a representation of the universe and everything in it. Khyil-Khor is the Tibetan word for Mandala and means 'centre of the universe in which a fully awakened being abides'. Circles suggest wholeness, unity, the womb, completion and eternity" (Chaudhary, 2012, p.146).
In support of this definition, Kim et al (2008, p.19), refers to a mandala as a "hindu word derived from Sanskrit meaning circle of centre".
The idea of this is linked to wellbeing due to the fact "circular, geometric shapes are considered to be universal symbols for spiritual growth or a form of visual meditation". This is considered as helping remove negative thoughts and emotions due to the fact they are symmetrical and repetitive, so during the completion of this task, it is believed for children to be entering a meditation-like state (Noor, 2017).
Furthermore, creating Mandala's is also considered as referring to therapy. Storytelling is "not a quick message, but a slow message...storytelling is a tool to discovery, not of knowledge, but of wisdom" (Wilhelm, 1999, p.15). Additionally, it can also be a "creative outlet to potentially help clients" (Cook, et al. 2016, p.4).
I know through my own experience, when completing my own mandalas, myself and others found it extremely relaxing, I felt as though it could be used as a mindfulness activity. In addition to this, I was also made aware of the fact that mandalas could be used outdoors as well as through colouring on paper. Below is an image of the mandala I created during a lecture, as well as an environmental mandala that could be used as an activity with children.
 
References
Chaudhary, N. (2012). Mandala: A Powerful Tool for Self-Discovery . The Scientific Ravi: GC Univrsity Lahore , 146-164.
Cook, K., Mayorga, M. G., and Ball, V. (2016). Mandala Mornings: A Creative Approach for Elementary School Counselors. Journal of School Counseling, 14(6), n6.
Kim, S. I., Kang, H. S., & Kim, Y. H. (2009). A Computer system for art therapy assessment of elements in structured mandala. The arts in psychotherapy, 36(1), 19-28.
Noor, S. M., Saleem, T., Azmat, J., & Aroui, K. (2017). MANDALA COLOURING AS A THERAPEUTIC INTERVENTION FOR ANXIETY REDUCTION IN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS. Pakistan Armed Forces Medical Journal, 67(6), 904-07.
Wilhelm, R. B. (1999). The Lectionary Storybook. Hagerstown: StoryfestPress.

 Chaudhary, N. (2012). Mandala: A Powerful Tool for Self Discovery. The Scientific Ravi: GC University Lahore, 146-164.

 Chaudhary, N. (2012). Mandala: A Powerful Tool for Self Discovery. The Scientific Ravi: GC University Lahore, 146-164.