9th September 2022 Dr Beena
Hello there🙏, I hope we are hanging in there despite the sad news of the passing of Queen Elizabeth, the longest-reigning monarch in British history. When I sent this mandala greeting this morning, one of my friends commented that there is no symmetry. He said mandalas have symmetrical designs.
A mandala is a geometric configuration of symbols. It is used in meditation as an aid to focus. It may even be interpreted as a spiritual journey through layers from the outer aspect to the inner centre. Our art class project was to draw a mandala with a personalised touch. I drew mine with ink using the Yin and Yang concept and added my three gals in the bottom lower circle. It was a subconscious decision to add my gals and hence my secret in that mandala drawing😊🙏.
In ancient Chinese philosophy, the concept of yin and yang is seen where opposing forces are interconnected and counterbalancing. To answer the question on symmetry, I think life is like Yin and Yang. The only constant is change, where life flows with good and evil, light and dark. Accepting such changes is challenging, and the higher the resistance, the more complex the suffering.
Life is about accepting death. The world is saddened by the passing of the Queen. We need to reflect on the life that she lived to the fullest. We will find that despite the loss, we see a meaning in suffering. When I embarked on my artwork, I had none of these thoughts. But today, I found the purpose. I have combined the concepts from two ancient civilisations into one piece with the addition of my three gals, who are dearest to me.
I hope you will share your thoughts on the above topic🙏🙏🙏🙂.
8 thoughts on “Mandala”
i really like your thoughts on life and death. It’s enlightening and a
good reminder. Also think that the sneaky inclusion of the 3 cuties is lovely!
Hahaha Nee
That sneaky part came without my realisation and one of the art students remarked that the squares looked liked paw marks;)
I always love your artwork and the stories behind them. They always have meanings, with in-depth reflections that often opens my mind, and heart.
What I see in this mandala is balance; something that I truly appreciate as part of life and that I try strive to achieve. Often times, there is already balance in a particular event in our life but we are probably too immersed in our emotions to see it.. until we take time to reflect upon it once the dust has settled. Thank you for reminding me of the importance of reflection.
Thanks Yuwana, sometimes I get carrued away with my thoughts, so am not sure if it was too deep:)
Good description of Mandala arts.
I have learned a new word and hopefully I could find Peace in Mandala too.
Re the Yin and Yang, Yang is always referring to bright and sunny side where as Yin is the dark and negative
Yes, Life is about accepting death.
Well said.
Hi Chiam
Its not easy to talk about living and dying, but they are yin and yang. I too learn so much from writing these topics:)
Really like the mandala drawing and your accompanying story. I’ve always been fascinated by the mystery of the subconscious and the power of love. I think the subconscious inclusion of your three lovely gals in this drawing is a wonderful reflection of both.
Yes it actually happened while i placed the dots and then I thought wow, let me draw some triangles, and hey presto I got my gals. As you rightly pointed out, our subconcious is still a mystery:)