Jung himself drew mandalas daily in 1916–1919, considering them "cryptograms" of the state of the psyche. A mandala (Sanskrit "circle") is a symbol of the Self, of wholeness, of the center. Any spontaneous visual creativity is a non-verbal path to the unconscious. The approach includes drawing, sculpting, movement (Authentic Movement), writing. A series of mandalas reflects the dynamics of the state of the psyche.
Step-by-step guide
- Invite the client to draw or sculpt "what comes" — without an artistic task, without judging quality
- The therapist observes without commenting during the creation
- Afterwards: "Tell me about this image. What in it surprises you?"
- Explore the image through personal associations and, if needed, collective amplification
- For mandalas — track the series: centeredness / chaos, color, symmetry as indicators of the state of the psyche
When to use
- The client cannot / does not want to speak in words — the drawing as the "draft of the unconscious"
- Work with bodily symptoms — "draw where the pain lives"
- Acute states — drawing as grounding and containment
- Between sessions — the client keeps a "visual diary"
- In work with numinous experience, dreams, active imagination — fixing of images
Key phrases
Take a sheet and draw what comes — no plan, whatever it is.
Follow-up questions
What is this figure / this color saying to you?
Where is the center of this drawing? Where is the disorder? What does that say about your state?
Alternative phrasings
Start with a circle and fill it from the inside — what appears on its own?
Warnings
- ⚠️ Never evaluate the artistic quality of the work
- ⚠️ Do not rush into interpretation — allow the image to "speak for itself"
- ⚠️ Powerful images (death, dismemberment, chaos) may frighten the client — safety must be maintained
Source: Jung C.G. CW 9i, §§ 627–712 (Concerning Mandala Symbolism); Memories, Dreams, Reflections (1962); Whitehouse M. (1963) — Authentic Movement
Materials are informational and educational and summarize publicly available scientific sources. They are not medical or psychological advice, are not intended for self-diagnosis or self-treatment, and do not replace consultation with a qualified professional.