Archetype of Wholeness: Jung and the Mandala — the mandalaZone archives… 07/06/16 12.

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Essays on mandalas, spirituality and the universe by Peter Patrick Barreda.

Archetype of Wholeness: Jung and the Mandala

by Peter Patrick Barreda

In his writings on mandala symbolism, Carl Jung refers to the mandala as "the psychological expression of the totality of the self."
Within everyone’s psyche, to one degree or another, can be found a seed-center of the self surrounded by a chaotic maelstrom of
issues, fears, passions and countless other psychological elements. It is the very disordered state of these elements that creates the
discord and emotional imbalances from which too many of us suffer on a regular basis. The mandala is a template for the mind, a
state of peace and order, a resolution of the chaos within. In Jung’s words, "The severe pattern imposed by a circular image of this
kind compensates the disorder and confusion of the psychic state—namely, through the construction of a central point to which
everything is related."
This central point is the absolute seat of the self, the anchor for all the extraneous elements of your environment and your psyche.
In actuality these two are not separate entities, rather they are intimately combined, inextricably linked. The effects of the world
within and the world without are often indistinguishable as far as your self is concerned. Internal elements (ideas, emotions,
compulsions) interact freely with external elements (news, relationships, taxes) in the interface that is your mind. Understanding this
exchange helps us see more clearly how certain patterns and symbolic elements from our most ancient origins have been internalized
and carried through the ages, only to be unconsciously externalized in the beauty of the mandala.
Ritualistic mandalas from specific cultures display a style and variety of elements with special significance to that culture. There
are nearly as many types of mandalas as there have been societies in the history of Humankind. But the essence of the pattern of the
mandala, the "squaring of the circle," is a basic motif in the architecture of so many dreams and fantasies whose unifying similarities
stretch across the ages. The quaternary pattern imposed upon the circle symbolizes the application of an orderly architecture upon the
infinity of the cosmos. It gives the psyche a safe place on which to stand, a solid foundation upon which it can gather itself to achieve
completeness and harmony. Furthermore, the central point, or bindu, is the reference point for the self to identify with. Jung refers to
this pattern as the "archetype of wholeness."
This ordering effect on the human psyche is not, Jung stresses, the result of conscious reflection or cultural effort. It is a pre-
existing condition of consciousness that such patterns help bring it into focus or return to an earlier, more peaceful state. This is why
Jung found the mandala to be present in so many cultures and mythologies spanning the globe and the history of Humanity itself. It is
an integral part of the collective unconscious that is shared by every person that has ever lived. The mandala is an unconscious state
in which all opposites come together and are united, where the polar aspects of the cosmos and the individual can become one. This
union of opposites is the very process by which we achieve wholeness, and through which we find peace.
A great deal of Jung’s psychotherapy dealt with the interpretation of individual mandalas created by his patients. In addition to the
soothing, focusing effect he noted as a result in his patients’ psychological states, there was also a great deal of commonality between
the images they created. Patients who had no prior knowledge of mandalas or any other conscious symbolistic expression repeatedly
put to paper strikingly similar images in the course of their progress. Jung writes of the significance of these similarities:

"In view of the fact that all the mandalas shown here were new and uninfluenced products, we are driven to the conclusion that there
must be a transconscious disposition in every individual which is able to produce the same or very similar symbols at all times and in
all places. Since this disposition is usually not a conscious possession of the individual I have called it the collective unconscious,
and, as the basis of its symbolical products, I postulate the existence of primordial images, the archetypes."

It is these archetypes, ageless connections between every conscious being, in conjunction with the elemental pattern of the
quaternary and the cardinal points, that create the powerful effect the mandala exhibits on the human psyche. It is as if there were a
common reference point at which all our seemingly individual consciousnesses are connected, and it is from this realm that the form
and effect of the mandala are drawn. The mandala can be considered a blueprint for the essential structure of our existence, and

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Archetype of Wholeness: Jung and the Mandala — the mandalaZone archives… 07/06/16 12.38

something about this structure is instantly recognized by the unconscious within us. We perceive the shapes, the patterns, the
elements within the mandala, we see their relationships to each other, and within that sacred matrix we recognize our self and our
place in the cosmos. It is an ancient and fundamental relationship from which we have strayed. The mandala is the key that can help
us return to it.
Jung also equates the mandala with the eye in form as well as spirit, stating that "the eye is the prototype for the mandala." The
eye symbolizes seeing and light, and therefore consciousness itself. The eye is the part of us that beholds the universe and sees our
place in it. It is knowledge, awareness and wisdom. The eye takes in light, the pure energy of the universe, and presents it to the inner
spirit. It is the gateway, indeed the very union, between the self and the cosmos. As is the mandala. In addition to the structural
similarities between the eye and the mandala, the image of the eye is a common element in individual mandalas. Often one can find a
repeating pattern of eyes in a mandala. Jung refers to this as polyopthalmia (many-eyed), and considers this a representation of the
unconscious as multiple consciousnesses.
It is evident that the mandala is the link, albeit a mysterious one, between our modern consciousness and our most ancient origins.
Jung concluded that "their basic motif is the premonition of a center of personality, a kind of central point within the psyche, to
which everything is related, by which everything is arranged, and which is itself a source of energy." Somewhere in the vast,
forgotten reaches of time lies the answer to this wondrous mystery, but also does it lay, quiet and dormant, deep within each one of
us. It is for us to rediscover, and to cherish. It is for us to hold this inexhaustible source of energy close to our hearts. Within it we
will discover ourselves, we will find each other, and we will reconnect with the essential center of existence.

February 22, 2003

by Peter Patrick Barreda, material copyright 2009, all rights reserved

7 comments

1 SG Wheeler { 12.31.09 at 10:23 pm }

Dear Peter,
To answer your question, “Do you work with mandalas as art therapy?” Yes and no.
I earned my BA degree in studio art but found mandalas after college and quite by accident. I had no idea of the scope their
various incarnations or the depth of their meaning.
I began creating mandalas around 1989 while teaching geometry to a class of hard-headed, math phobic 5th graders. Needless
to say, it was a very successful lesson! They loved it, I loved it, and we went on to produce some pretty spectacular pieces. The
added benefit was that they seemed to be much calmer and focused during and after doing their mandala math work. I have
since come to learn that these were not the only benefits these students were getting. The feeling of success at having learned
and truly understood math concepts, stimulating their creativity, and boosting their confidence in art and math not surprisingly,
carried over into other areas both academic and non academic. At that time I had not gathered enough information on the
subject to understand what a powerful thing I was exposing them to. Whatever was happening, we were all certainly enjoying
it!
I retired from teaching in 2001 and moved to the desert to start a new chapter of my life. I decided after experiencing how
powerful a tool for teaching and healing art could be, I thought I might like to become an Expressive Arts Therapist. This is
where my mandala studies began in earnest.
I had always been a fan of Carl Jung, (Joseph Campbell, Clarissa Pincola Eates, archetypes, myths and legends), and was
thrilled to learn of his connection to this fascinating art form.
Unfortunately I was not able to complete the masters course but that did not deter me from continuing to study mandalas. I
spend many hours finding all I could find out about them and began collecting and devouring books on the subject, spending
hours exploring internet sites for information and gathering it by the carload!
I presented my first class, intended only as a “how to draw” session, to a group of recovering cancer patients at the Cathedral
City (Palm Springs), branch of Gilda’s Club, a cancer support community. From that day five years ago to this, I have made it
my mission to introduce as many children and adults to the art form as possible. I currently substitute teach and make every
effort to work some mandala time into the day. They have become science models (six points of the snow flake), Christmas
tree ornaments, and the afore mentioned math projects.
I do not present myself as a therapist but never fail to mention how therapeutic the work can be. I offer myself as an artist who
happens to be fairly knowledgeable in healing value of this particular art form. I am only too happy to pass along interesting
and helpful information on the historic, social, scientific, psychological and spiritual aspects of mandala work to my students. I
talk to my adult clients about the deeper meaning and purpose.
I really appreciate all the amazing work you have put in on your web site and will happily refer all my future students and
clients to the site.
I went back into my files and found that the “Mandala Art Movement” is the title artist Mick Snutz
has given his site(www.mandalaartmovement.com). I have not seen the term “mandala movement” anyplace else but it doesn’t
sound like a bad idea!
I have not given my classes on a full time basis but over time the desire has become deeper and stronger (not to mention the

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Archetype of Wholeness: Jung and the Mandala — the mandalaZone archives… 07/06/16 12.38

increasing skill and information). So my dream now is to do this work full time! Got any suggestions?
Thanks for getting back to me so quickly. Hope to hear from you soon.
Thanks,
Sharon

2 Peter Patrick Barreda { 01.19.10 at 3:16 pm }

wow, that is some amazing adventure you have had with the mandala, i’m especially happy to hear about your work with the
kids and the effects it had on them. it is wonderful to see that kind of reaction, it’s just that kind of account that emphasizes to
me how deeply rooted the mandala and its pattern is in the core universal structure. it is somehow very intimately linked the
way the human mind works, with the origins of things, with the development of patterns and habits and paths. jung’s work
especially, which you mentioned, showed a very powerful link between the mandala and the human mind, and even more
specifically, with the mandala pattern and the harmonious function of the human mind. it is, on the surface, a very curious
observation, but when delved into more deeply, is one of those awe-inspiring revelations that can truly change you life in an
instant. thank you so much for your comment and your kind words, and the best of luck to you in your journey through the
mandala. i hope to hear from you again!

3 Mandala Art | 7Wins.eu { 08.13.10 at 12:13 pm }

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4 Archetype of Wholeness: Jung and the Mandala — the mandalaZone archives… | Carl Jung Depth Psychology | Scoop.it {
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6 Goozle Zone { 09.05.12 at 9:53 pm }

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