Carol Denego

carol@mandalajoyrising.com

I have created colorful watercolor cards and art work for my family and friends throughout my life. As I played with color in 1998, I formed a circle in the center and then instinctively painted shapes and symbols flowing from it. Just going with whatever seemed to flow like a cascading waterfall, changing colors, directions, or symbols whenever it felt right to do so was fascinating and exhilarating. Although I had no idea what I was painting, I felt lots of love and joy in the moment. Afterwards, when a good friend saw a finished painting, she said, “Oh, you’ve painted a mandala." I had no idea what that meant.

I learned later that in Sanskrit mandala means circle or center and that a circle tends to represent wholeness, oneness, and unity. Although Tibetan Buddhists have used mandalas as a spiritual tool for eons, Westerners have gradually become more aware of them through the study of Eastern religions and also through the works of individuals such as noted psychologist, Carl Jung. He used personal mandalas to explore inner states of consciousness as well as to help heal his clients and himself.

What I have discovered through the years is that the circle in the middle of a mandala is a way to connect with the love and joy of Divine Spirit within. By looking at or meditating upon a mandala, people can connect with the light, higher consciousness, healing energy, love, and information that is present for them within the colors, lines, and spirals. Whenever people meditate, new information is released as they are ready for it. As a result of these subtle changes taking place within, their world is able to shift for the better in perfect timing.