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An Integral Mandala

Posted February 2nd, 2009 by Linda Hollier

A mandala is a symbolic representation set within a centred disc.  It is often used as a support to meditation.

The oldest mandalas preserved by history date from the sixth century.

Tibetan Buddhism has visualization techniques through which a colored symbol can imprint itself on the mind of the practitioner. It acts upon the subtle areas of consciousness. 

Anagarika Govinda, in “Foundations of Tibetan Mysticism” states that “an image or a symbol that has no effect is at best a decorative picture”.

I have examined in a previous post, the effect of colour as it arises in all four quadrants and this would support the above statements.

When I look at a representation of the integral map I am struck by the fact that it very much qualifies as a mandala.  It is divided into four parts, as most mandalas are, and color is used to indicate various levels.

And so the question arises.  Can a representation of integral theory serve as a support to meditation and growth?

If this is the case, then one will be able to say that the map, when it is used in this way, is also a part of the territory.

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Posted February 2nd, 2009 by admin
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The Mandala

Posted February 2nd, 2009 by Linda Hollier in response to [Comment Deleted]

Thanks so much Mark.  I felt it was important to include the image as part of my post but was unable to do so. Hence the link.

Please could you tell me how you did it so that I know for future.

Now the mandala is there for all to see.

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Posted February 2nd, 2009 by admin in response to The Mandala
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Kalachakra Mandala

Posted February 2nd, 2009 by Linda Hollier in response to [Comment Deleted]

This link shows a picture of  Carl Jung and the famous Tibetan "Wheel of Time" Mandala.

I'm afraid I still can't manage the picture, Mark, even after the editorial.  I manage to paste the pic on the desktop and then somehow I can't find its URL info to add in the image link. Does the picture have to be from Google images?

 

 

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Map Meet Territory; Territory, Map.

Posted February 3rd, 2009 by Aaron Johnson

 I think the map exists as part of the territory in that it can refer to specific perspectives can serve as a structure to rest on while one engages in experiences from infinity and beyond.  As it is worded in the Integral Life Practice Starter Kit, the AQAL map can be "brought to bear" on one's meditation.  I like this way of wording it, as it suggests a liberating fluidity to the model, and what it represents, essentially the nature of perspective and reality itself, when experienced in the context of pure, open experience.  The AQAL map is a map in the dream, and also an object in the dream, but it is an object, as you point out in your contemplation of the Mandala, that can make us aware of the dream itself, and liberate us into avenues beyond, while still allowing the dream to be a fluid part of our ever-present sense of what is real.