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Mandalas are believed to have originated in Tibet and were commonly used in religious practice for meditation and contemplation. They are usually circular in shape and were traditionally painted, drawn, or modeled in sand. Today, many people create mandalas using a film or digital camera, and photography editing software. These modern types of mandalas vary in sizes depending on the quality of the digitized photograph. Mary has created many mandalas as large as 4 feet by 4 feet. To ensure high quality, she used her medium format Hasselblad camera and a high quality archival-grade paper that ensures the images will preserve their beauty for many years.
Mandala images are visual representations of the universe and everything in it. They symbolize the totality of existence, both inner or outer. The concentric circles suggest wholeness, balance, unity, completion and eternity. More specifically, the outer circles represent the world in its divine form, while the inner circles represent a path by which an ordinary mind can be transformed into an enlightened mind. The Tibetan word for mandala means "Center of the Universe in which a fully awakened being abides."
Both meditating with, and creating mandalas is a wonderful way to enhance a spiritual journey. In meditation, they are used as a point of focus with which self-exploration can be made. While creating a mandala, the artist often finds themself being guided down a spiritual path until the art form is finally realized. Mary's mandala images are reflections of her inner landscapes. They are visual representations of her spiritual beliefs concerning the unity and connection of everything.
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