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5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful Information And Tools In This Boxed Set, June 26, 2004
This review is from: Create Your Own Sand Mandala: For Meditation, Healing, and Prayer [With Book and Sand, Funnel, Brush, Paper Templates] (Paperback)
"God is a circle whose center is everywhere and whose circumference is nowhere." --Timaeus of Locris
Mandala is a Sanskrit word for circle and is a sacred, symbolic diagram used for contemplation. In Buddhism and Hinduism, mandalas usually include images of Buddhas or deities. Yantra is a Sanksrit word for "instrument", and is meant to inspire inner visualizations, meditations, and spiritual experiences. However, since the two terms are often used interchangeably, the word mandala usually refers to any circular image or diagram.
Create Your Own Sand Mandala by Eileen M. Rose and Abby Rose Dalto is a boxed kit that enables you to make your own sand mandalas in the tradition of Tibetan Buddhists. Traditionally, the art of constructing sand mandalas is an ancient Tibetan ritual art that requres extensive training, a high level of artistic skill, and hours of meticulous work.
However, the sand mandala is not permanent (glued). They are constructed with impermanence and non-attachment in mind, as well as specific intent. When a sand mandala is constructed, more emphasis is placed on improving the mind of the practitioner and contributing to the greater good of the world than on producing a work of art. After the construction of a mandala, the sand is brushed to the center and scattered in the nearest body of water, representing a dispersion of the intent.
The circle has been a sacred symbol for eons, showing up in such forms as Native American Medicine Wheels, gothic Rose Windows, Labyrinths, halos, astrological charts, Celtic designs, alchemical symbols, and so on. There are many ways to construct mandalas, and some forms are permanent--created with paint, fabric, found materials, crushed glass, colored pencils, computer generation, etc. Circles represent wholeness, and coloring or constructing mandalas can be used for meditation, healing, and positive intent.
Create Your Own Sand Mandala includes a 96 page book with full color illustrations, bags of sand in five sacred colors (red, yellow, green, blue, and white), 4 glossy, cardboard templates for guidance,a metal funnel to direct the flow of the sand, and a brush for sweeping up the sand.
The authors provide colorful examples of personal mandalas, as well as circular forms found in architecture, art, and sculpture, and explain the meanings of colors, totem animals, and sacred geometry. Step-by-step instructions are given to help prepare yourself and the items for mandala construction for meditation, healing and prayer, as well as explaining the many uses of mandalas. It is recommended that you start from the center of the circle when creating a mandala. Many religions acknowledge a sacred center within, whether it be called Soul, Christ within, or Higher Self. Accessing and contemplating this sacred center is the reason for beginning at the middle. Although geometric designs are often used in mandalas, you can make it as personal and free-form as creating a sunny meadow or self-portrait. The purposeful use of colors correlating to certain chakras or meanings, as well as totem animals or other symbols, can be utilized. Or, you can allow symbols and impressions to float into your awareness for inclusion in your mandala.
After constructing your mandala, you can scatter the sand into water as the Tibetan Buddhists do, scatter it to the four winds or bury it like the Native Americans, or even put the sand in a locket, jar, or special container. There's no need to worry about using up the sand that's provided, because the authors provide simple and easy instructions on creating your own colored sand.
Whether you seek to honor Spirit, tap into your Higher Self, achieve clarity, or intend peace, healing or other purpose, this wonderful boxed kit and book will help guide you through the process of creating life-affirming mandalas.
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