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'Healing Mandalas'

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[September 06, 2008]  "Healing Mandalas: 30 Inspiring Meditations to Soothe Your Mind, Body & Soul." Lisa Tenzin-Dolma, Duncan Baird Publishers, 2008, 160 pages.

Review by
Richard Sumrall

"I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending … which is, and which was, and which is to come."
-- Revelation 1:8.

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C.G. Jung once observed: "I saw that everything, all paths that I had been following, all steps that I had taken, were leading back to a single point -- namely, to the midpoint. It became increasingly plain to me that the mandala is the center. It is the exponent of all paths."

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In her new book, Healing Mandalas," Lisa Tenzin-Dolma explains the concept behind mandalas; their nurturing effect on the body, mind and soul; and their ability to encourage the body's natural healing powers. What is a mandala? According to the author, "a mandala is a symbolic picture or pattern used in meditation." She explains that "its various motifs, colors and geometry are specifically designed to bring about inner focus and inner peace."

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One of the appealing features of mandalas is that they can be used by beginners or experienced practitioners. The advanced practitioners consider mandalas to be more than a tool for meditation; mandalas bring the mind and body back into a state of balance and strengthen the connection with your essential nature. Jung called this an "archetype of wholeness," a cause-and-effect confluence between the macrocosm (the manifold aspects of the cosmos) and the microcosm that is found in all of us.

The four key elements of a mandala are the bindu, the seed and starting point; the circle, expressing wholeness and completeness; the square, for the four directions of the physical world; and the perimeter, the outer edge, containing the mandala's energy. These four elements can be expressed through a multitude of colors, shapes, symbols, numbers and natural forms. Blue encourages tranquillity, while red is energizing and warming. Domes represent the cosmos or the heavens, whereas the cross represents the meeting of spirit and matter. Geometric shapes such as circles or spirals bring a sense of purity as a mental resting-place. The number six encourages balance and symmetry, while seven is sacred and mystical in its cosmic symbolism.

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"Finding the Whole Self "

The theme behind these 10 mandalas in the book is simple -- finding a route to your still center, or using them "to draw emotional and spiritual sustenance from your inner wellspring."

In the "Self in the Cosmos" mandala, everything begins with the self. The mandala is composed of a pentacle within a circle. A human figure floats within the pentacle and is surrounded by many varieties of flowers as the body is bathed in snowdrops and stars. The vibrancy and color symbolize the wonder of life and self-realization; you are bestride the universe as your attention is drawn to the beautiful truth of creation.

"The Self and Others"

These 10 mandalas encourage you to "address and explore the relationships in your life -- to open your mind and find ways to nurture yourself through peacemaking, forgiveness and accepting difference."

A perfect example of this inspiration is found in "Wings of Peace." Biblical imagery abounds in this mandala, most notably its center -- an unfolding flower that reveals doves carrying olive branches. This implies a belief in hope and reconciliation -- God making peace with the world. The circular pattern entices you to fly out into the world and seek lasting relationships based on the nurturing beauty of love. The dominant green color gives this mandala its calm and harmonizing quality.

"Healing Mandalas" is an excellent introduction to the philosophy and practice of mandalas. Why should you consider mandalas as a part of your meditative exercises? According to Tenzin-Dolma, "the unique pressures of modern living make the need for healing more prevalent now than ever. … Fortunately, body and mind have an immense capacity for self-regeneration." Part of that regenerative quality may be harnessed and released through a positive experience with a mandala.

This book is recommended to anyone interested in exploring mandalas as a path to inner peace, personal growth and holistic healing.

[Text from file received from Richard Sumrall, Lincoln Public Library District]

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