WHAT IS A YANTRA/MANDALA DIAGRAM?

If you are the kind of person who strongly stands by the “Seeing is believing” policy, Yantra/Mandala is for you. Our intellectual mind has several notions and assumptions of how our world and cosmos is. These notions are born of the seed of information that is stamped upon our brain since the time we are born. From the first syllable we speak, to the knowledge we receive in our schools, we are constantly prompted and directed towards a reality and existence as seen by our significant others and teachers and tutors who shape our perspective and define our thought process through a constant assault of their behaviour, ideas, concepts, philosophy and religion, amongst other things.

As a young adolescent, growing up in this sort of an environment can be tough. It is a time of great hormonal and hormonal changes are accompanied and effected by changes in our subtle body.. i.e… the Naadis, Chakras, thoughts and other subtle energies of are body. At this time one’s inner self is aware of the fact that there is something missing in the picture that is being portrayed to us. Unable to gather what it is, exhausted by the bipolar floods of emotion and energy around the spindle of our budding consciousness, we grow rebellious and disgruntled, as if we are being cheated of that which is our birth right. This manifests in the various behavioural patterns that teenagers have

infamously been labelled for. To blame this only on the hormones or the stress full situations of growing up or just these two, is quite stupid. For aggressive questioning is one of the strongest tools on the path of spiritual evolution. It is something that nature is ingrained in our seed so that we rise beyond the mundane, and begin to discover “The Truth”. So, if one’s intellect is constantly questioning the validity of a higher force that functions within and without us ( which includes our so called mundane lives), we are much closer to perceiving “The Truth” than we were before. For our intellect, like a sculptor labouring over a stone, hammers out the excess fossil, to reveal the infinite beauty that lies within.

But this kind of hammering can be stressful, leading to exhaustion and fractures within our mind, that need tender love and affection to heal. (Perhaps this is also why we tend to find love in this part of our journey.) What if someone told you that it was all unnecessary and can be bypassed. Though debate is integral in understanding, to constantly dwell in that state of mind can’t be healthy. It leads to angst and frustration. Especially in our spiritual journey. So, if you are frolicking in the waves of evolution on the sands of time, scratching your head saying “there is something, but not “This” or not “That”, let me tell you, you are right. If the above strikes in you a familiar chord or vibration in you, then Yantra/Madala can be a helpful tool in providing some relief. Some kind of proof from beyond the mind.

So what is a Yantra or a mandala? How does it work? How do you use it? Blaaa blaa blaa!

If you really want to know what it is, don’t google the meaning, don’t ask someone about it. You will only get second hand information (that can be very good and helpful at times), that will clear away like a cloud when you experience the real thing.

Simply do an image search for “Yantra” or “Mandala”on Google. Pick any or many of the images you like, feel curious about or attracted to. Save it on your computer, and then view one at a time on the full screen/slideshow option (preferably on a black background). Make sure you do this when you are all by yourself and don’t allow anyone or anything to disturb you. Say “OM” 3 times with your eyes closed and now gaze with fixed focus at the POINT at the centre of the diagram, and when you’re eyes are tired, just close them for a prolonged period of time (at least 20-30 seconds, more could be better) till you feel they are rested and resume again. You can also simply look at the whole diagram of let your eyes wander through its different patterns or the objects shown there in. Don’t make too much effort. Just chill out and simply look at it. Do this for about half an hour daily. (Music that makes you comfortable of relaxed could p

rove to be handy, though might distract some people, in which case silence is the best..) Some Mandalas/Yantras come with mantras accompanying them. Reciting these audibly a few times (at lest try 3) will definitely help in the process.

If this sounds too easy or stupid, it’s probably coz it is. If nothing this will improve your concentration and I must say, it’s quite Trippy!

Sri Chakra Yantra:

Google Image search for the word Yantra:
http://www.google.co.in/images?um=1&hl=en&tbs=isch:1&sa=1&q=yantra&btnG=Search&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=

Google Image search for the word Mandala:
http://www.google.co.in/images?um=1&hl=en&tbs=isch:1&sa=1&q=mandala&aq=f&aqi=g10&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=