Personal Mandalas The word mandala originates from the Sanskrit word for circle. A mandala symbolizes an imaginary place that is contemplated during meditation in both Hinduism and Buddhism. A mandala is any form of a circular geometric design that contains symbols of a person’s inner self, guiding principles, and overall ideas about the world. The significance of objects within a mandala is conveyed by shape, size, and color. The objects can be abstract designs or specific drawings of people, places, and ideas that are central to a person’s life.

Objective Construct and illustrate a mandala that reflects your personality and ideas about the world.

Activity 1. Create categories to organize your mandala. (example provided) 2. There should always be a unifying element at the center of the mandala. For a personal mandala, “the self” makes most sense. You can also include things you feel compassionate about, for instance, might be the treatment of animals, the elderly, or the environment. 3. In keeping with the tradition of mandalas, promote global thinking wherever possible. 4. Write out the categories and brainstorm ideas for each in writing. 5. For a more challenging assignment, you can invent their own categories. 6. On a sheet of construction paper, have students draw the basic outline for your mandala. 7. Next, using crayons, colored pens, or any other type of art supplies, fill in each section with symbols. 8. Because the outside categories are what make up the inside (or “self”), complete the center of the mandala last for best results!

© Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved. © Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.