We recommend mandala, the “wheel of time” art therapy technique, to cancer patients and their families

Theme-based art therapy involves activities based on topics developed and selected by specialists. Here, we aim to share the history and many benefits of mandala, an activity cancer patients can practice individually or with their families.

Infinity within a point...

Mandala can be described as a collection of circles beginning with a point, with no ending, consisting of geometric or organic forms and capable of continuing indefinitely. It reflects Eastern and Western cultures together through symbols with different meanings. It has an important place in art therapy for its therapeutic and consciousness-developing properties. Beginning with a central point and resembling a blooming flower, this form’s growth and development through color offers cancer patients and their families the following:

• Relaxation,
• A meditative effect,
• Balance between body and spirit,
• Rest for the mind,
• Increased creativity,
• Increased self-awareness,
• A new space for expression,
• Quality time,
• Enjoyment,
• Suitability for individual or group activities.

Psychoanalyst Gustav Jung described mandala as “a reflection of the subconscious”. Jung, who worked with mandalas for years and recommended them to psychiatric patients, said: “It shows who we are.” Regarding mandala as a visual expression of personality , Jung contributed significantly to introducing this important Eastern therapeutic technique to Western countries and encouraging more people to create mandalas.

Joan Kellog, a leading art therapist who devoted much of her life to understanding mandala’s wisdom, described it as “the perfect circle”.

Mandala can also be likened to life itself

If we consider a cell or atom as a starting point, we can imagine a mandala growing and developing around it. Before reaching Western culture, it originated in Buddhism and had been used for hundreds of years, particularly in the East, as a meditation method. Tibetan Buddhists also describe mandala as the “wheel of time”. Its central point and circular movement also symbolize the passage of time.

Time can pass very painfully for patients after a cancer diagnosis and during medical treatment. Patients who regularly draw and color mandalas may experience a calmer, more peaceful and relaxed process.

To benefit from theme-based activities, one needs to work on them for 30 minutes or longer. Only then can an intended result, such as pain relief or stress reduction, be achieved. Such art therapy activities become more beneficial with each session, and positive results are more likely with regular practice.

Relaxation exercises are recommended before beginning activities with these techniques. Resting the mind with a short meditation, listening to calm music or taking a short walk may help. Beginning art after relaxing and calming down can make the process more carefree and peaceful. Calm instrumental music during the activities may also help make the experience enjoyable.

Beautiful thoughts and ideas find a place in every established culture in some form. We believe the equivalents of mandala in our culture are lacework, knitting and ceramic tile art. When started at the center and worked outward around it, colorful knitting or lace can be a kind of mandala inspired by our ancient cultures. This also increases blood circulation in the hands and arms, helping numbness and pain caused by inactivity.

Mandala as an example of a theme-based activity

Day and night mandala (group activity, age 5 +)

Materials:

• 50x70cm-sized white paper, 2 sheets (medium-weight drawing paper, preferably untextured),
• Colored pencils, watercolors or pastels,
• Pictures selected from magazines for collage,
• A glue stick (such as Pritt).

Paper cut into large circles at least 40 cm in diameter, 2 circles in total. Then cut triangular wedges like cake slices, as many as there are people in the group. Each person takes at least one wedge according to their preference for day or night. Once each piece is completed, glue the pieces together into whole circles, keeping day and night separate or mixing them. For day, you may choose warm colors, mainly yellow and orange; for night, cooler colors such as blue and purple. You can hang the finished work on your wall.

Patients can also create mandalas individually, in any size, on paper of any color and with any material. Although based on some rules, this is a very free activity. For neater circles, use a compass, glass, cup or small plate as a template. Mandalas need not be symmetrical or perfectly measured and should not copy another mandala. They should arise spontaneously, without anxiety about looking beautiful. With regular practice, you may experience your personality, emotions and mind resting and changing. As an appropriate method specifically for cancer patients, working with an art therapist involves many details, such as questions and answers, color choices and application methods. But, as noted, practicing these activities at home or in hospital helps you enjoy time with family or friends, relax and release stress.