{"id":4790,"date":"2024-07-03T15:19:37","date_gmt":"2024-07-03T15:19:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.arogyayogaschool.com\/blog\/?p=4790"},"modified":"2024-07-03T17:29:43","modified_gmt":"2024-07-03T17:29:43","slug":"yantras-and-mandalas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.arogyayogaschool.com\/blog\/yantras-and-mandalas\/","title":{"rendered":"Yantras And Mandalas"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In Yantras and Mandalas we find some similarity with the chakras<\/a>, and their symbols.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yantras And Mandalas is Sanskrit for circle and centre. <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Concise Oxford Dictionary definition reads: \u201cSymbolic<\/a>, circular figure, as a religious system of the Universe. Such symbol, in dream, representing (the) dreamer\u2019s search for completeness and self unity.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The poet William Blake wrote: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\u201cThe vegetative universe opens like a flower from the earth\u2019s centre, in which is eternity.\u201d \u201cTo see a World in a grain of sand, And Heaven in a Wild Flower, Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand And Eternity in an Hour\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

A Mandala has three properties:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
    \n
  1. Centre<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Symmetry \u2013 sometimes fluid in form<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Cardinal points \u2013 sometimes pictorial
    <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    It can be composed from many substances, for example, metal, wood, skin, stone, paper,
    silk, or coloured powder, in a design on the ground. \u2018Rose\u2019 windows, Celtic designs, are
    examples in Western culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    PURPOSE
    <\/strong>UNITY OF SELF WITH THE UNIVERSE This is effected by concentration on the form. This concentration has different cultural interpretations. An Internal Meditation on Mandala The eye is a Mandala form. A circle, the sun, a light, the light within. The eyes (when closed) become like a single
    lens, reflecting the light within. Try this, keeping the forehead high and wide, visualising
    your own iris.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Yantra<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    This is a geometrical composition, the whole or part of which is contained in a circle.
    It is a power diagram. One has to recognise the power in each form and its interaction. It
    is used in the Tantric tradition and the Chakras have geometric symbols which are used
    to bind and absorb the mind.
    The Yantra has four properties:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    1. The centre point, \u2018bindu\u2019<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. Symmetry, but sometimes surrounded by mandalas<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    3. Triangle or a square, contained in a circle<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    4. Use of sound, internal or external<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      COMPOSITION<\/strong>
      It can be of paper, silk, a ground plan or a building
      itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Purpose of Yantra<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      Use a Yantra to tune in to the power of the universe and awaken your inner power.This form of meditation is very powerful in focusing the mind. It is not suitable for thos with mental <\/strong>instability, as it can become hypnotic. This type of Yoga is not taught in the West in its full form, as it is a very difficult path to follow. However, we may benefit from a simplified form. There are sometimes reverse colours or movements seen in the design, this is a normal physiological response and has the effect of stilling and focusing the mind away from the external. This is not an end in itself. To get addicted to this level is not healthy, it is simply to give an initial impetus to the concentration. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      The most famous Yantra is the Sri Yantra. The practitioner needs to have mental stability or be within a firm spiritual tradition. It can appeal to the creative, mathematical and
      mystical in people as these are archetypal forms. Many religious buildings are built using Yantra and Mandala as the foundation layout.
      The study of Yantra and Mandalas can give us aesthetic pleasure and bind our minds.

      You may be able to think of other traditional or western forms for yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      What does Yantra mean?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      Apart from invoking divine, the Yantras are also used by sadhaks as an object of
      meditation, as some paint huge yantra on walls of temples or a place where one
      can seat silently and concentrate on the same.
      The study of Yantra is an important step in the journey of particular siddhi for some
      sadhaks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Shri Navagraha Yantra<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      list of 9 yantras<\/p>\n\n\n\n