My circles: Mandalas

'The use of symbology to render macrocosmic space into a microcosmic representation is one of the fundamental elements in all shamanic, or 'magical', systems of thought. According to these systems, the macrocosm, or whole system, exists in the microcosm, or each individual part of that system (this is also the idea described in the modern scientific theory of fractals). In shamanic practice, therefore, one reproduces the microcosm and in doing so evokes, or effects, the macrocosm. The mandala is one of the primary forms that illustrates this principle. Each practice, or mandala, is organised around a central point. Symbolically, this point is a crucial element, because it marks the point of origin from which all things come into being.'

Amy Lenzo - Art & EcoPsychology - www.ecopsychology.org

Circles are one of the most powerful symbols in Native American culture and tradition and are regarded with profound respect. The circle comes back in their form of mandala creation for different purposes.
They are used during prayer, ceremonial blessings and healings, vision quests, and other traditional rituals throughout the various tribes.

Mandalas became a practice in my journey, I am not sure how I started to explore them. What I do see is that when I look back at them, is that there were different phases with
the appearance of different styles of mandalas in my process. I always followed my hands, the drawing never started in my mind; I never wanted to make a specific mandala, I followed the flow that came naturally. Afterwards I tried to interpretate the symbols, the story and found links to major Traditions in the world, to different times in the world. The first ones I created, I relate to the Buddhist mandala. They have geometric shapes, they mirror from east to west, from north to south. Later on, form appeared more freely.  

In Jungian psychology a mandala is a graphical representation of the Self.

Jung said: 'My mandalas were cryptograms concerning the state of the self which was presented to me anew each day. I guarded them like precious pearls. It became increasingly plain to me that the mandala is the center. It is the exponent of all paths. It is the path to the center, to individuation....'