'Oneness' Mandala by Barry Stevens

Barry Stevens, mandala artist and author of Sacred Circles, is giving a comprehensive interview on mandala art. He has been painting mandalas for over 30 years and developed a style that is uniquely his own. Barry lives in the United Kingdom where he holds workshops on mandala painting.

1. Barry, what inspired you to become an artist and what do you experience in the creative process?

My understanding is that inspiration is a primary or the primary force in the universe. Everything flows from the source like the water in the rivers flows from the higher ground into lakes, seas and oceans. It is an unstoppable force of nature. So in that context whether we know it or not we all are inspired by the same force though in an infinite variety of different ways.
When in the creative process I experience a sense of flow, peace and joy.

2. What inspires you to become a better artist and how do you prevent artist’s block?

Barry Stevens - Mandala Artist

This follows on from question 1. What inspires me is the universal creative power I have mentioned. Strictly speaking there is no better or worse in that way of looking at life. However there is the recognition that the deeper one’s surrender into The One, the greater the fulfillment.
Artist’s block so called is all part of the process. It is something to acknowledge as an essential part of the process and a great gift! With acknowledgment and acceptance comes flow. With flow comes creativity and so the dance continues….

3. Would you please explain to our blog readers what a mandala is and where it is coming from historically? Are kolams and rangolis in your view considered mandalas?

I have in previous writings  described mandalas as being images condusive to centering which create a peaceful healing effect and which are found all over the world where Unity is experienced and celebrated. However that is a fairly generalized statement. Some mandalas are considered to have more specific effects one way and another and there are many traditions around the world which explore the mandala principle, in art and architecture.
Furthermore the mathematical principles associated with the mandala also permeate other art forms such as music and dance not to mention being all pervasive in nature……
Kolams and Rangolis I would consider to be explorations of the mandala principle specific to a given culture and locality (India). Though having said that I can’t remember going to any other part of the world where the tradition of
drawing and painting mandalas on a daily basis is so active. But that may be an indication of the degree to which spiritual energy is active in that part of the world.

4. Did mandala art exist in the West before Carl Jung’s personal discovery?

'Riga Mandala' by Barry Stevens

In my view mandalas have existed in the West for a very long time though they may not have been called by that name. The art work of the Celts and the art work of the Christians and other spiritual groups are full of mandala images in one form or another.

5. Does today’s view of the mandala representing the Self come from Jungian psychology?

The Self knows itself as The Self by being it. Assuming mandalas are all inspired by a degree of this awareness then they have always represented The Self to a lesser or greater degree. Jungian Psychology could be seen as a contemporary or rather 20th century interpretation of these ancient  and modern symbols.

6. Is there anything in any of the Hindu scriptures that talks on mandalas?

My understanding is that in all traditions there is a written and verbal set of teachings and a non verbal set of teachings which would include for example art, architecture, dance and so on. Scriptures tend to be regarded as being  in the written and verbal category. All the different ways in which the truth is expressed emanate from the same centre and may or may not refer to each other. However I do have various books and have read various books and written one which to a certain extent explores both the verbal and non verbal avenues.
As far as I am aware there are not extensive direct references in the scriptures to the construction, use and meaning of the mandalas in Hindu scriptures though I am sure there are some somewhere! It does depend a bit on how you define a scripture. As I understand it such texts do exist but may or may not be regarded as scriptures. I am more confident in saying that there are extensive references in Tibetan scriptures.
However I am not that familiar with the scriptures though I did go through a phase of reading more or less nothing else for some years, in particular Advaita and The Teachings of Ramana Maharishi….

7. I am curious to know what first spiritual experience you had at a young age? And what kind of mystical experience you had when you refer to the ‘dropping of the circle’? Please share.

I think you are referring to the experience I had when I was about 18 and which I mention in my book and describe as “The Circle dropped into consciousness”.
Basically limited consciousness became for a while unlimited. When lying in bed wondering how the limited could comprehend the unlimited I saw the circle. With the image came the words that the circle was or is the symbol of The Infinite. In my book I go onto saying:

“It would seem that the circle and variations of the circle naturally resonate with humanity’s sense of sacredness and wholeness. I would say this is the case because the circle is a perfectly balanced shape and in a sense it is WHOLE, COMPLETE AND PERFECT and so naturally resonates with our Inner Being with which it shares these characteristics.”

There’s not a lot you can say about the unlimited though one could also say that all of life including us is always expressing it! I have attempted to explore and communicate this understanding over the years in many ways but mainly in the context of painting mandalas. It is an intuitive understanding beyond words.

8. I see meditation as a way to connect with your creative source. What is your take on this in connection with mandala art?

'Om Ananda' Mandala by Barry Stevens

One of the conscious reasons I began to work with mandalas was because I wanted to have a way of expressing meditation. I consider mandala art to be a meditative art form. It refers to the centre and expresses from that centre. I refer you to the answer to the next question for further ideas on this subject.

9. You are saying that energy centers like Iona and others make it easy to tune into inspiration. Would you say that meditation can have the same effect?

Question 8 possibly requires some kind of preliminary definition of meditation. I think that probably you are referring to a state of “centred consciousness” which may or may not involve outer stillness. A fundamental aspect of my understanding and work with mandalas is that everything is interconnected. In that context it is not possible to isolate all the relevant factors as they are in a perpetual relationship with each other. I don’t think there is any real likelihood of someone painting mandalas unless there is some degree of meditative vibration in their life and that can be amplified or supported by being in a specific location. Alternatively the opposite can apply by which I mean some circumstances can make it very difficult to paint mandalas.

10. How do you express emotions in mandala painting?

Mandala Book 'Sacred Circles' by Barry Stevens

I tend to think that the choice of colours conveys an emotional or feeling component. However meditative states are by and large peaceful loving spaces to be in so the range of emotions being expressed and therefore the choice of colours is limited to a given part of the emotional spectrum.

11. You are saying in your book that both flow and geometry meet in the realm of intuition. Can you elaborate on this?

Geometry which to a certain extent is the basis or structure for most if not all mandalas involves some degree of “thinking” and in some cases problem solving. Creativity and flow is a more right hemisphere activity involving letting go and surrendering. I am suggesting that intuition is when a combination of left and right brain activities are working in coordination.

12. Do you see some kind of connection between the inner state of your being and the colors you use in mandala painting?

When an artist expresses themselves with any degree of authenticity as distinct from copying their own or another’s design there is a direct correlation between inner and outer states. Even if they are copying or following a set of principles or instructions if the mandala is to “hold together” there has to be this inner and outer synthesis.

13. Can you elaborate on the symbolism of mandala art, and the individual symbols used. What do circles, squares, diamonds, octagons, etc. represent in mandala art?

This question could take a while to answer! I am not sure if I want to go through all the symbols and elaborate on their meaning as experienced by myself. Rather I would encourage readers to contemplate these symbols and see within themselves what arises. Having said that I may come back to this question later!

…. later… I have written about some of the mandalas I have painted and those writings are in my book and on my web site along with the mandala concerned. If anyone has specific questions about any of my mandalas I have painted I will try and answer them. I have painted too many mandalas to go through them one by one…..

14. At some point in your youth you started having experiences of seeing mandalas or geometric patterns in your third eye. Do you still experience it and if so, has the intensity increased? Why do you think we can see mandalas in our intuitive center, the third eye?

When one first has “spiritual experiences” they register on consciousness as “something different” and indeed they are relative to previous experience. However as perception deepens differences begin to dissolve until ultimately there are no differences anymore! The third eye is both a reference to a given location of sight and a figure of speech. We see unitive levels of perception and subtle energy fields with our third eye because it is vibrating on that level of consciousness. It is a matter of resonance. We see what we are resonating in tune with.

15. Please explain why you think the mandala has healing properties.

The mandala symbolizes Unity, Balance and Harmony and as such tunes us into these qualities and energies. As such it helps us align with the all pervasive healing energy of Love and Truth. Just how this works out in specific situations is infinitely varied.

16. You say, it is a meditative process and as such helps open the person concerned to the healing energy of the mandala. Is it simply that during the meditation process and lowering of the number of thoughts a self-healing process within the artist / viewer happens?

I think I also say that it is a synchronistic process in the sense that both the person concerned and the mandala in question somehow find each other. The lowering of the quantity of thoughts and inner stillness definitely help with the process of attuning to unitive states of consciousness.

17. Do you have a main message when you create mandala art?

The main message to myself in present time is “Surrender and Let go into the Infinite”. It maybe that this message somehow reaches those who view my work.

18. The two interviews at the end of your book Sacred Circles give a lot of juice to your writings, a deeper understanding of where you are coming from. I especially like it when you say that mandala artists paint to celebrate and express Oneness. Any more thoughts on this?

This is the main motivating force as far as I can see which inspires mandala artists and to a lesser or greater extent is an integral part of the spiritual and human journey one way or another. We come from The One and we seek to return there.

As Ramana Maharish writes in the eight verses to Arunachala: “So indeed must all retrace their path, and when the soul finds the way back to the source, it will sink and be merged in Thee, O Arunachala, Thou Ocean of Bliss!”

19. What medium and tools do you use in mandala creation? What medium would you recommend for a beginning mandala artist? And is it sufficient for a beginner to learn from books and use his/her intuition?

I usually use acrylic paints and thick water colour paper. I think each student will find their way and the medium that suits them somehow or other. Teachers, books and intuition all have their part to play.

20. How do you market your artwork?

I used to do a fair bit of distribution of my work via a mail order business but don’t so that much these days. Basically there are many ways of making one’s presence known in the world and at a certain point it can gain sufficient momentum to keep going without much effort. Having said that things are fairly quiet in that respect the last couple of years but I am seeing that development as an opportunity for a quiet life!

21. What else is there that you’d like to share with our readers?

I would be happy to hear from your readers and share inspiration one way and another. Most of what I have to share is on my web site which also links in with your last question as it is my web site these days where I make my work available to view, read and buy.

22. I personally find your book Sacred Circles very interesting and inspiring. It’s a great book connecting art with spirituality. Thank you for writing and publishing this book.

Thank you. I have learnt along the way that we are all on this journey together and that we all are an essential part of each other’s journey and awakening. Gratitude is a beautiful quality of thought. I am grateful for your thanks! Thank you…..

Barry Steven’s book Sacred Circles is available through his website and amazon.com. Barry has created beautiful and meditative mandala videos. For any art work you may contact Barry directly through his website.

Article/Interview Copyright: Barry Stevens & Ma Udaysree Nithyananda
All art work created and copyrighted by Barry Stevens

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