Walking the Wall

While
watching a television show that showed a huge Native American spirit
wheel created by a shaman apprentice out of rocks, it reminded me of
the facinating sand mandela’s that Tibetan monk’s make. According to this site:

The subject of a Tibetan sand painting is known in Sanskrit
as a mandala, or cosmogram, of which there are many types. In general
all mandalas have outer, inner and secret meanings. On the outer level
they represent the world in its divine form; on the inner level they
represent a map by which the ordinary human mind is transformed into
enlightened mind; and on the secret level they depict the primordially
perfect balance of the subtle energies of the body and the clear light
dimension of the mind. The creation of a sand painting is said to
effect a purification and healing on these three levels.

You can see a step by step picture gallery of the process at Art Networks
. There is  so much to be in awe over these forms of meditations,
when you consider the incredible amount of time, talent, and meditation
put into them only to sweep them away in the end to fulfill their
purpose. Mandalas are circular in nature to draw the eye to the center,
which is wonderfully symbolic of the balance that everyone should
strive for. According to Wikipedia, sand painting is also found in
Native American and Australian Aborigine cultures–and they have the
same practice of creating and then dismantlling the artwork as a ritual
of healing and as a way to achieve balance and harmony. It always
amazes me when cultures that are so seperate can come to some of the
same rituals–that sameness for me is a sign that says, “take notice”.
Life truly is about balance and these mandala’s serve as an outward
reminder to find inner balance.