HOLISTIC HEALTH Mandalas and nature join to strengthen healing power

Indians used nature symbols in their mandalas.
By L. CROW
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
Most people, especially city dwellers, recognize the healthful value of getting out into nature for fresh air and peaceful beauty, especially after a week of job stress and congested traffic.
And many people are also aware of the healing properties of mandalas, sacred circles, in Sanskrit. Several upcoming activities will allow participants to experience both.
Sister Therese Pavilonis, Humility of Mary, leads the labyrinth walks at Villa Maria. A labyrinth is a type of mandala, and this one is carved into the soil and grass. "A labyrinth is different than a maze because you exit by the same path you entered, and it is continuous," said Sister Therese. "A maze has dead-end paths. This one is out in open space, where you can see in all four directions. Just sitting and looking around is quieting."
Theme walks
Sister Therese leads a number of walks throughout the year, each one focusing on a different theme, such as peace or gratefulness. But people may also come to walk alone, and she explains that there are many ways to experience the healing.
"One way is just to simply walk in a mindful way, being attentive to thoughts," said Sister Therese. "You set aside any cares or concerns as you go in, and let go of that which is holding you back. Many people experience a sense of receiving insight when they enter the center."
'Rosette' center
This particular labyrinth has a "rosette" center, and Sister Therese said each petal may represent a different element. "The rosette symbol represents love and wisdom, and each of the petals may stand for mineral, plant, animal, human, angelic, and divine," she said. "We may meditate on each of these aspects and how they relate to our humanity. The center of the labyrinth can be a life-changing experience. Some people just leave with a lighter heart and deeper conviction of their life path."
Sister Therese has also given workshops in healing with other types of mandalas. "Nearly every culture on earth uses circles in rituals of healing and empowerment," she said. "Mystics use mandalas to increase concentration and mental receptiveness. Looking at the center is a meditative process, a journey toward wholeness and holiness.
Nature symbols
American Indians incorporated symbols of fire, earth, air, and water in their mandalas.
The center is the focal point, which draws us to the center of our being, where harmony abides. And the ritual of creating mandalas is an act of healing."
Austintown artist Gary Blackburn collects nature items to create his own mandalas, which he says sometimes take more than three months to complete.
"I was living in Fort Wayne, Ind., in the late '90s, when we had a rainstorm," said Blackburn. "As I was collecting branches, I happened to break one open, and couldn't believe the range of colors on the 'skin' between the bark and wood. It was almost like a stain. I call it nature's paint. I go out in the woods now, collecting sticks and carefully use a potter's knife to scrape off the bark. The colors are beautiful -- silver, red, orange, all shades of brown, and even calico."
Blackburn carefully assembles his mandalas, and knows when he has chosen the right pieces because there is a sense of balance and harmony. "The mandala takes over to what it should look like," he said. "I keep turning the circle to make sure each piece fits together in harmony. When I create, I go into a meditative state. It is very peaceful and calming."
Workshop coming up
Blackburn will offer a workshop at Villa Maria to teach others how to make nature mandalas and said it helps people to be more aware of the cycles and circles of nature.
"People learn to pay more attention to how everything works together in nature, and also notice the different colors. Even in winter, seeing the harmony of colors, a cardinal on a pine branch in the snow, creates a healing effect."
Blackburn said that people may use not only sticks, but also leaves, dried mushrooms, baby pine cones, stones -- there are endless possibilities when you use your imagination.
Sister Stella Schmid, Humility of Mary, knows the healing power of mandalas firsthand. When she was going through chemotherapy and radiation treatment after breast cancer surgery, she had little energy and limited ability to concentrate.
"I had a book of mandalas to color, called 'The Magic Mandala.'" she said. "Every day I would put on music and spend 20-30 minutes coloring, and if I had a particular thought, I would write it down. I dated each picture, and looking back, I can tell which days were more difficult than others. But it gave me a quiet focus for healing and took my mind off my concerns."
Creating wreaths
Now Sister Stella uses nature materials, in the form of dried flowers and herbs, to create wreaths at Villa Maria. "The wreaths are a circle, so they are a type of mandala. And nature is filled with mandalas, in flowers, everywhere."
If you feel inspired to collect nature items to create your own healing circles, but don't know your ash from an elm, Mill Creek MetroParks is offering a number of guided hikes in October. Ray Novotny, of Ford Nature Center, said that knowing more about the trees helps people feel more connected, and just going through the park has a soothing quality.
XLaughing Crow is a practitioner of holistic healing. She may be reached at laughingcrow@neo.rr.com.