March 13th, 2012
About two months ago I did everything I could to make sure that I was free on this very specific Saturday. Why? Because it was the Deerfield Beach Festival of the Arts. They only do it once a year and it could not have come at a better time. I needed a couple of pieces to add character to my lovely beach apartment and so I got up early, got ready and headed down there before all the goodies were gone.
It was a beautiful day. Lots of sunshine, the beach was perfect, the air was cool and crisp (basically perfection). I really didn't have anything in mind as to what I should get. I quickly understood that, with just like everything else I choose, it has to be something different and unique in order for me to even pay attention to it. As I kept going from booth to booth, I stumbled upon this little gem called Mandala Zone. Needless to say I fell in love.
I had read about Mandala art previously and I was thinking of writing about it today. Funny thing is that today I was actually reading a post about Mandala patterns and realized that a lot of people are not even aware of this. Timing, timing...
The Sanskrit word “Mandala“ is a compound deriving from manda, which means "essence," and the suffix la, meaning "container" or "possessor." (Marty Chappell Handout, how to make a mandala). Consequently, "the etymology of the word 'mandala' suggests not just a circle but a 'container of essence.'" (Religion Facts).
Mandala is a series of geometric designs that are usually symbolic of the universe used as an aid to meditation. This is used in Hinduism and Buddhism. Not only does it establish a sacred space, but it is also used to induce trance when meditating. Its symbolic nature can help one "to access progressively deeper levels of the unconscious, ultimately assisting the meditator to experience a mystical sense of oneness with the ultimate unity from which the cosmos in all its manifold forms arises." (David Fontana. Meditating with Mandalas: 52 New Mandalas to Help You Grow in Peace and Awareness). It can also be found on the ground floors of Hindu religious temples, symbolizing the Universe.
Until Then...
About two months ago I did everything I could to make sure that I was free on this very specific Saturday. Why? Because it was the Deerfield Beach Festival of the Arts. They only do it once a year and it could not have come at a better time. I needed a couple of pieces to add character to my lovely beach apartment and so I got up early, got ready and headed down there before all the goodies were gone.
It was a beautiful day. Lots of sunshine, the beach was perfect, the air was cool and crisp (basically perfection). I really didn't have anything in mind as to what I should get. I quickly understood that, with just like everything else I choose, it has to be something different and unique in order for me to even pay attention to it. As I kept going from booth to booth, I stumbled upon this little gem called Mandala Zone. Needless to say I fell in love.
I had read about Mandala art previously and I was thinking of writing about it today. Funny thing is that today I was actually reading a post about Mandala patterns and realized that a lot of people are not even aware of this. Timing, timing...
Mandala is a series of geometric designs that are usually symbolic of the universe used as an aid to meditation. This is used in Hinduism and Buddhism. Not only does it establish a sacred space, but it is also used to induce trance when meditating. Its symbolic nature can help one "to access progressively deeper levels of the unconscious, ultimately assisting the meditator to experience a mystical sense of oneness with the ultimate unity from which the cosmos in all its manifold forms arises." (David Fontana. Meditating with Mandalas: 52 New Mandalas to Help You Grow in Peace and Awareness). It can also be found on the ground floors of Hindu religious temples, symbolizing the Universe.
AND last, but not least, the beautiful Mandala Wood Carving I bought at Mandala Zone:
Until Then...
