When starting my body mandala I wanted to make sure to put little dots to represent our cells and how we are made up of energy. I think this quote from Bryson.B (The body: A Guide for the occupants, 2019, p.190-191) “ The stuff responsible for the energy in our cells is a chemical called Adenosine Triphosphate, or ATP, which may be the most I important thing in your body you have ever heard of. Every molecule of ATP is like a tiny battery and that it stores energy and then releases it to power all the activities required by yourselves – and indeed by all cells in plants as well as animals ” described exactly what I wanted to convey. In my opinion, it meant every living thing having ATP is connecting us all on a molecular level. That quote also fits with the layer of flowers, leaves, plants, and stars I have on the top layer of my mandala. The squiggly lines in the fourth and seventh rings in my mandala represent the mind and spirit. “ The simple practice of focusing on the breath, applying self-massage, gently moving the body, and deeply relaxing bring the natural relationship among the body, mind, and spirit back into balance.” (Jahnke. R, The Healer Within, 1997, p.5). This quote is similar to what I wanted to convey in this mandala – reaching for growth and finding balance within. In the center of my mandala I wanted to represent the heart and mind because I feel like if they don’t match then when can the healing begin for traumas emotional or physical? Even though we are focusing on ourselves the safe and caring relationships we gain in life help with the process of connecting the two. These two quotes from Dana. D ( Anchored, 2021, p.9-10) are great examples. The first “Polyvagal Theory is the need for finding safe connection with others in the experience of co-regulation.” (P.9) and the second “ While the world seems to be increasingly focused on self-regulation and independence, co-regulation is the foundation for safely navigating daily living”(p.10). I think that it is always important to remember, especially with recent covid times limiting our connections with people.
Book references:
Bryson, B. 2019, Equilibrium. The body: A guide for occupants (p.190-191). Anchor Books, a division of Penguin Random House LLC, New York
Jahnke, R. 1997, The Medicine. The Healer within (p.5). HarperCollins publisher, New York
Dana D. 2021, A Quick look at the principles and elements of Polyvagal Theory. Anchored (p.9-10). Sounds True inc. Colorado