Colour Away Your Worries


"I saw that everything, all paths I had been following, all steps I had taken, were leading back to a single point — namely, to the mid-point. It became increasingly plain to me that the mandala is the centre. It is the exponent of all paths. It is the path to the centre, to individuation. I knew that in finding the mandala as an expression of the self I had attained what was for me the ultimate."

- C. G. Jung

Mandalas are frequently used in therapy; it can be either used as a form of art therapy or for meditation or relaxation. Mandala usually have different geometric figures. Mandala is Sanskrit for “circle or completion” and it can have different meaning and used in different context. The circular designs represent the idea that life is never ending and everything is connected.

The process of drawing or colouring a mandala can be therapeutic and symbolic. It also represents individual’s spiritual journey and can be great source of inner healing and self-reflection. By creating a mandala, you are basically creating a representation or portrait of yourself. Colouring mandala is said to engage an individual in organizing their inner chaos which in turn helps in reducing the feeling of stress and anxiety. Colouring also stimulates creativity and also acts as a way of emotional expression. It also stimulates both analytical and creative parts of the brain and improves motor skills and problem-solving skills.

It is a tool that can be used by both adults and children. You have freedom to choose any pattern and use any form of colour (pencil colours/crayons/water colours). Every shape and colour indicate unconscious aspects about you. The rationale behind the calming effects of colouring mandalas is the use of fine repetitive movements that give one the ability to stay attentive on the activity at hand and being in the present moment.

For children it can be a means of creativity and enjoyment, colouring can help them slow down and help in their attention span. They can colour however they like, there is no fixed pattern of choosing a colour. Mandala helps in developing patience and determination. It also enables them to combine colours and figures. It can help adult to unwind and relax, colouring a mandala has a calming effect on your mind. For those who have a tendency to overthink mandala helps them by directing their thoughts on the pattern and colours and their mind may come to rest for a while. It not only relaxes your mind but also relaxes your body. Colouring mandalas act a means of connection with your inner self and gives you opportunity to connect with your creative side. It also stimulates your cognition by improving memory, attention, perception, and visuomotor coordination.

It seems there are many benefits of colouring a mandala, so why not pick up a mandala and some colours and explore your creative side and also take this opportunity to free your mind and relax but also remember it is not about the final product, it’s about the journey. When you reach your final destination, you will have representation of something personal and meaningful.


“It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.” 
― Ursula K. Le Guin


REFERENCE
·         Jacob. (2020). Five reasons to have a Mandala. Retrieved from https://exploringyourmind.com/5-benefits-of-mandalas/
·         Olesen, J. (2020). Benefits of Coloring Mandalas - Why and How It Works. Retrieved from https://www.color-meanings.com/benefits-coloring-mandalas/





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