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Mandalas described as ‘visual meditation’
By LINDA M. LINONIS
CANFIELD
Sister Bridget Nolan views a mandala as a “visual meditation.”
“It’s a spiritual journey,” she said. “The process is more important than the product. It matters what goes into it.”
Sister Bridget shared her interest and insight into mandalas during a learning session Tuesday at the Ursuline Center, 4280 Shields Road.
Sister Bridget admitted there is much to learn about mandalas, and her class skimmed the surface but gave participants an overview of the spiritual tradition found in various cultures.
An information sheet noted that mandala is a Sanskrit word meaning circle or center. The circle is perceived as a universal symbol of wholeness. The handout also explained that Buddhist monks in Tibet used the mandala in prayer meditation, while Carl Jung is credited with re-introducing the Western world to the mandala.
The mandala is based on a circle. The center represents the inner core. Images, colors, lines and shapes emanate outward from the center image or symbol.
Sister Bridget said her mandalas on white paper often result in a humorous or whimsical design, while ones on black paper are more thoughtful and meditative. “I don’t know why it turns out that way,” she said.
Sister Bridget said she studied mandalas, icons, pottery, basket weaving and Native American spirituality while on a sabbatical from 1997-98 in Ein Kerem, an area in Jerusalem that is a pilgrimage site for Christian visitors.
It is a mecca for artists because of its picturesque setting. “I want to share what I learned,” said the nun who spent her career as a teacher.
Since then, Sister Bridget has used mandalas to express her spiritual journey. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000; a mandala she created reflected discernment and suffering. She has been cancer free since 2005. “I believe mandalas put your thoughts in visual form,” said Sister Bridget, who has been an Ursuline nun for 55 years.
A mandala she created during the Easter season is titled “In Praise of Christ,” and features successive circles with the words praise, glory, honor and alleluia emanated from the center, the lamb of God. Her “bug-dala” is a fun and colorful form with a lady bug, grasshopper, water bug, ant, butterfly, caterpillar and bumblebee.
To the participants in the mandala class, Sister Bridget offered encouragement to express themselves and reminded them to title their works. “Be creative. ... It’s a catharsis of shapes and color. It’s interesting to see an idea come to fruition by asking God’s help.”
Becki Chaffee centered her mandala with a heart that she said represented her. “I just had an interest in learning about this,” she said.
Sandra Vidis said she viewed the mandala as kind of a diary. “Over time, I hope to see what develops,” she said. Her mandala focused on her family with husband and two sons, reflecting happiness and sadness.
Patricia Ewing’s mandala reflected her love of nature with a tree, flower, waterfall and rainbow.
Judi Bender also gravitated to a family theme with her symbols as a star representing her daughter, a letter for her husband who was a postal worker and a bone for the family dog, along with heart for love.
Esther Ewing also went with a family theme and the happiness and sadness experience.