Mandalas are an ancient tool for study, consciousness development, and health. Variously translated from the Sanscrit to mean "circle", "whole world" or "healing circle", parallel use of mandalas is seen in Hindu, Buddhist, Christian, and Native people's art, healing rituals, and meditation traditions worldwide.

Usually circular in nature, the mandala implies the quality of wholeness. Layered, symmetrical and concentric, the image converges on a central focal point. Psychologist Michael Brown writes "...[t]his suggests there is a center within each one of us to which everything is related, by which everything is ordered, and which is itself a source of energy and power. Virtually every spiritual and religious system known to man asserts the reality of such an inner center."

Added to the traditional round image are several background layers of color and pattern framing the plant mandala. These are made from images of natural substances like plants, gemstones, and even animals, adding to the energy of the central mandala. They are carefully chosen to be both visually pleasing as well as energetically complementary. Filled with both internal and reflected light, they significantly increase and complete the effect of the whole.

The repetition of the central image in the making of the mandala in combination with the colors and forms of the background and framing images creates an energetic amplification. As a gem cutter exposes the depths of a jewel to better catch the light, these mandala images multiply and facet the plant' qualities for a more intense, direct experience of their energies.

TEACHING TOOL
While reading about or memorizing information on vibrational remedies is an important part of essence study, there is absolutely no substitute for direct experience. These mandalas can provide a powerful internal understanding of remedies. You can gain an intuitive grasp of the remedy through the plant's mandala; taking the remedy just before the meditation will deepen and empower this experience.

Essence mandala meditations can also help us learn how to communicate with Devas and attune to the consciousness of the plants themselves. The amplification of the plant energies which take place when the mandala is made can act as a "loudspeaker" if our psychic ears are a bit deaf.

HEALING AND SELF-DISCOVERY
"Mandala art... [gives] us reflections of the external world, [and] can help us see what is going on within us, in our heart and soul..." writes Brown, in Coastal Pathways (Vol. 3, #6). Artist and photographer Ray Rasmussen writes "... [i]n Jungian Psychology, the mandala (or magic circle) is visualized in dreams symbolizing the dreamer's striving for unity of self and completeness."

Our Essence mandalas can therefore be used as healing and self-discovery tools. Since a plant's amplified energy can be experienced through meditation, using its mandala is another way to be touched and changed by these energies. These mandalas are also an opportunity to take a journey with plants, conversing with their consciousness, discovering what about ourselves and our world they can reflect back to us.

Strong individual experiences with specific mandalas can tell us where we need harmonizing and which remedies may be of particular use to us to unblock stuck energy. In this way, we learn of the order which resides both within us and without -- order which might otherwise be obscured by traumatic experiences, conflicts, and misconceptions. In this way, mandalas can help us experience our wholeness and connect to our wisdom. Such awareness can transform our life patterns, release us from obstacles, and allow us to better know and share our gifts and strengths.

Below are some of our thoughts about using the Essence mandalas. You may be more attracted to some than others; this is natural. We also anticipate you will find new ways to use them. Please write to us and let us know about your discoveries as well as your experiences.

Because the mandalas can bring powerful experiences with the plants associated with them, we recommend that you always begin by asking for the highest good for all concerned to come out of your meditation. It is important to approach these exercises without expectation of what you will experience or what the outcome will be. It's up to you if you want to use or hold the corresponding essence to deepen your experience.

Simple Meditation. Click on any of the mandala images on this page. Center the mandala on your screen, viewing all parts of all the framing and background images if possible. Gaze gently into the center of a mandala, but allow the entirety of the image and backgrounds to be taken in through your peripheral vision. Breathe slowly, deeply and rhythmically. Do this for 5-20 minutes. Afterward, it can be helpful to record on paper or tell a trusted person what you experienced so you may understand it better. Or simply accept what happened at face value, enjoying and benefiting from the experience without analysis.

Asking for Help or Information. It can be useful to approach your meditation with a specific intention or request matched to the known action of the remedy (a description of the essence is at the bottom of each mandala page). For example, time spent meditating on the Shooting Star mandala may be empowering because you've requested healing for feeling like "odd man out" in some part of your life. You may also glean some new insights into the situation, including possible ways to change or better accept the situation. Remember: just because you've asked for (not demanded) help in a particular area, it may not be instantly forthcoming. The highest good may lie in a different direction... or the help may have come, but in a form which you did not recognize.

What Does This Essence Do? Finding out what an essence does through meditation can be fun. Start with the Simple Meditation above, choosing a plant whose essence you're not familiar with. Don't start by reading about the essence, as this will only prejudice your experience. See what impressions you get. How do you feel physically and emotionally? What thoughts do you find yourself thinking? What mental associations do you bring to the experience -- what does this remind you of? What do you find yourself noticing about yourself or the world beyond during this meditation? Afterwards, think about the main themes of your experience, doing some writing or notetaking if you wish to boil down your experience. When you are done and you have some idea of what the essence is about, read about the remedy (each mandala has a short description at the bottom plus links to any articles in Vibration which focus on this remedy). Can you find ways of relating your experience to the "textbook" description? Keeping in mind the ways they might differ, do you find new insight about yourself?

Using an Affirmation. With any of these meditations, you can use one of the affirmations we provide for you beneath the mandala -- or make up your own. You can say one to yourself quickly over and over again, or slowly with great attention to each word; see what works best for you. These affirmations can also be helpful to say and ponder on their own whenever you use the corresponding essence.

Sharing Essence Energy with the World. Tibetan Buddhists use mandala meditations to bring about positive change to the world. Would you like to share the energy of an essence as a form of world service? Use the Simple Meditation above, holding the intention of sharing the energy. If you are, say, asking for Lotus essence energy to be sent to world leaders so they may be aided in making spiritually-evolved decisions, then gently, lovingly and repeatedly return to that focus as you meditate. You might want to visualize specific leaders, or whatever to you symbolizes world leaders. Watching the Lotus energy travel to all parts of the globe can help you keep your focus clear. As with all these meditations, experiment to find your own method.

Art Credits: The author, Hometown Websmith, Word of Mouth Web Design, and ArtToday.

The World Wide Essence Society does not mean to imply any recommendation of nor give certification to any individuals or companies above. This article is provided purely for informational purposes. We ask consumers to make their own determination as to quality of the services and products offered above. This article is not meant to be advice, and the information is not meant to replace medical or psychological treatment.

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