The_Circle_Within_Mandala_Workshop(2)

1.

The Circle
Within
Mandala, meaning and
the art of living
Personal reflection, shared creation
and creative expression
Dr. Prabha Kiran
2:00–4:00 PM · Mandala workshop and group expression

2.

Our afternoon together
Time
Activity
2:00–2:20 PM
Small talks at the tables
2:20–3:00 PM
Presentation and guided mandala workshop
3:00–3:30 PM
Group mandala co-creation and rehearsal
3:30–4:00 PM
Group presentations
One personal mandala, one shared mandala, and a creative group performance.
2:00–4:00 PM · Programme
02

3.

Small talks at the
tables
What brings colour
to your life?
Introduce yourself to your table.
Share something that gives you energy.
Find one value you have in common.
2:00–2:20 PM · Informal table conversations

4.

The mandala’s cultural roots
Mandala
Sanskrit: “circle”
Sacred diagrams in Hindu and Buddhist
traditions
Ways of representing sacred space and the
cosmos
Forms and meanings differ across
traditions
Today’s personal design is a contemporary reflective adaptation.
2:20–2:24 PM · Cultural roots
04

5.

Impermanence and meaning
Something can be temporary
and still be deeply meaningful.
Tibetan sand mandalas pair careful creation
with ceremonial dismantling.
What changing part of your life still deserves care?
2:24–2:27 PM · Impermanence and meaning
05

6.

Mandala and the modern mind
Early 20th century
Contemporary practice
Carl Jung explored mandala
imagery as a symbol of the self
and psychological integration.
People use circular art for
personal reflection and focused
attention. Art therapists may use
it within a therapeutic
relationship.
This session offers reflective art-making. Clinical art therapy requires a qualified
practitioner.
2:27–2:30 PM · Psychological reflection
06

7.

Attention, expression and evidence
A small task can hold our attention.
Repetition gives the hands a steady rhythm.
Colour and symbols offer ways to express experience.
Some studies suggest short-term anxiety benefits.
Evidence remains limited. Individual responses differ.
2:30–2:32 PM · Attention and evidence
07

8.

Five layers of a life
Layer
Focus
A question to explore
Centre
Self
Who am I beyond my roles?
Ring 1
Values
What matters to me?
Ring 2
People
Who supports or shapes me?
Ring 3
Purpose
What do I want to contribute?
Ring 4
World
What can I influence or accept?
A personal metaphor. You decide what your marks mean.
2:32–2:35 PM · Five layers of a life
08

9.

A beginner’s pattern
vocabulary
Dots Curves Arches
Petals Teardrops
Choose just two shapes to repeat.
Turn the paper as you draw.
Leave some spaces open.
2:35–2:37 PM · Simple drawing patterns

10.

The pencil framework
1
Mark the centre of your page.
2
Draw a small central circle.
3
Add four larger circles around it.
4
Leave room between the rings.
Freehand is welcome.
2:37–2:39 PM · Personal mandala framework

11.

Centre: a sense of self
Who am I beyond
my roles and titles?
Place one word or symbol
in your central circle.
Curiosity, courage, kindness, faith…
or a meaning of your own.
2:39–2:41 PM · Centre: self

12.

Ring 1: what matters
What deserves space
in my life?
Choose up to four values.
Repeat a simple shape around the
centre.
Give each shape a meaning of your
own.
2:41–2:44 PM · Ring 1: values

13.

Ring 2: people and belonging
Who helps me feel supported?
Where do I feel I belong?
Add shapes for people or communities.
You can vary the spacing or connect shapes.
Names are optional. Some meanings can stay private.
2:44–2:47 PM · Ring 2: people
13

14.

Ring 3: purpose and
contribution
What would I like
to contribute?
Let this ring represent something
you want to give, nurture or create.
Purpose can begin with an ordinary
act of care or curiosity.
2:47–2:50 PM · Ring 3: purpose

15.

Ring 4: life beyond our control
An unexpected mark can become
part of the pattern.
Add one irregular shape, if you wish.
Explore how the surrounding pattern might adapt.
What can I influence? What may need patience or acceptance?
2:50–2:53 PM · Ring 4: world
15

16.

Three quiet minutes
Colour. Repeat. Leave
space.
Notice your pace and breathing.
Let the pattern develop.
An unfinished mandala is welcome.
2:53–2:56 PM · Quiet making

17.

Reading your own mandala
Where does my eye go first?
Which layer received the most attention?
What feels unfinished or needs more space?
How did I respond to an unexpected mark?
Does this reflect my present life, my hopes, or both?
2:56–2:58 PM · Private reflection
17

18.

Values, attention and action
Meaningful living ≈
values + attention + action
I value __________.
This week, I will give it attention by __________.
My first small action will be __________.
A reflection prompt, not a scientific equation.
2:58–3:00 PM · A personal takeaway
18

19.

Your group challenge
1
Co-Creation of Your Group Mandala
Create one shared artwork about life, belonging or purpose.
2
Bringing Your Mandala to Life
Express its meaning through a story, sound or movement.
By 3:30 PM: a titled mandala, a shared message and a rehearsed performance.
3:00–3:03 PM · Task briefing
19

20.

Co-Creation of Your Group Mandala
A shared question: What kind of life do we want to create
together?
Choose a central value and give the mandala a title.
Invite a word, symbol or pattern from each person.
Connect the contributions into one shared design.
Our mandala represents __________ because __________.
3:03–3:18 PM · Shared drawing
20

21.

Bringing Your Mandala to Life
Mini-Sketch / Story
A brief scene showing your mandala’s message.
Example: different voices finding a shared
purpose.
Sound & Rhythm
A song, beatbox, chant or rhythmic soundscape.
Use voices and clapping to express the pattern.
Dance / Expressive
Movement
A short choreography capturing its feeling.
Use gestures, repeated movements or a group
shape.
Each creative choice should connect to the meaning of your mandala.
3:18–3:27 PM · Choose a style and rehearse
21

22.

Your 30-minute group plan
3:00–3:03 PM
Understand the task and agree your message.
3:03–3:18 PM
Co-create your group mandala.
3:18–3:27 PM
Choose a style and rehearse your performance.
3:27–3:30 PM
Check your title, message and everyone’s role.
3:00–3:30 PM · Keep this slide visible while groups work
22

23.

Group presentations
Show your mandala and introduce its title.
Explain the shared message and one important symbol.
Bring the mandala to life in your chosen style.
Finish with one insight about life or working together.
Use your announced time slot. The audience listens and celebrates each group.
3:30–4:00 PM · Sharing and closing
23

24.

The word we carry
forward
What did we create
together?
Choose one word to carry forward.
Name one small action for this
week.
Your meaning can change as you do.
3:58–4:00 PM · Final reflection within the presentation block

25.

Further reading: culture and context
National Gallery of Victoria
Mandala of the Diamond World. Sanskrit meaning and sacred contexts.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Japanese Mandalas: Emanations and Avatars. Exhibition overview.
Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art
Tibetan Healing Mandala. Creation, dismantling and impermanence.
Optional reading · After the live programme
25

26.

Further reading: practice and evidence
American Art Therapy Association
About Art Therapy. Professional practice and the limits of colouring activities.
Curry & Kasser (2005), Art Therapy, 22(2), 81–85
Can Coloring Mandalas Reduce Anxiety? DOI: 10.1080/07421656.2005.10129441
Zhang, Liu & Huang (2024), J. Integr. Complement. Med., 30(1), 25–36
Does Mandala Art Improve Psychological Well-Being in Patients?
DOI: 10.1089/jicm.2022.0780
Optional reading · After the live programme
26