"Los mandalas son esquemas sagrados que representan la estructura del universo"Los mandalas, y la construcción de un mandala en sí, es una "meditación activa", un instrumento de contemplación, concentración y relajación.
Representan el mapa del cosmos: una pequeña muestra totalizadora de la proyección geométrica del mundo.
Es esa porción del universo que ocupa nuestro ser, nuestra esencia.
Desde el punto de vista psicológico, tiene una función lúdico-terapéutica. No tiene un objetivo explicito, la libertad en la creación va revelando imágenes de la organización interior de la persona, consciente o inconscientemente.
Su creación no exige habilidades intelectuales especificas, es una respuesta instantánea, son ejemplos y símbolos cuyo propósito consiste en entender "intuitivamente" las posibilidades infinitas del subconsciente humano.

Básicamente es hallar la sabiduría a trabes de figuras geométricas que combinadas, instintivamente, y con la magia y la vida de los colores, representan nada menos, que nuestro interior. Un mapa que devela el camino sutil hacia nuestro propio centro, el punto a partir del cual se desarrolla nuestro propio universo.
El estilo y significado de cada mandala se explica según la época y la comunidad que lo realiza, pero todos hablan de un orden circular con un centro definido.
Existe un punto central, la irradiación de ese punto, él circulo que envuelve al centro y él limite exterior. Estos son los componentes básicos y comunes del mandala.
Desde el punto de vista espiritual, son centros energéticos de equilibrio y purificación que colaboran con la transformación del entorno y de la mente de quien medita en ellos.
Es un poderoso instrumento para crear, contener, entender y preservar el propio espacio sagrado.

Introduction

The expression and disclosure of previously experienced traumatic events is associated with better subsequent physical and mental health (Esterling, L'Abate, Murray, & Pennebaker, 1999; Smyth & Helm, 2003). Recent attention has been given to the efficacy of written expression of traumatic events in promoting physical and psychological well-being, and various studies have resulted in a body of research supporting a written disclosure paradigm (see Pennebaker, 1997 for a review). According to this paradigm set forth by James Pennebaker, writing about traumatic or stressful events in an emotional way for as little as 15 minutes over 3 to 4 consecutive days brings about improvements in physical and mental health (Pennebaker & Seagal, 1999).

In this study, the objectives are: 1. to contrast projective art drawings with self-report measures in examining children's perceptions of their doctors, and 2. to examine the demographic and illness-related variables that affect health care attitudes of children with medical illness.

Background: Few studies have examined children's attitudes toward physicians, and fewer still have utilized art as the means for doing so. Previous studies have involved healthy classroom subjects whose depictions of their general practitioner coincided with stereotyped media images. In addition, previous studies have relied on conventional self-report measures which in children may be susceptible to distortion due to children's need for social approval and difficulties expressing negative opinions about authority figures. Projective art drawings were chosen for this study because for many children it is easier to open up through art. Art is a symbolic form of speech without worrisome grammar or pronunciation and little need for intense eye-contact. Expressing emotions and thoughts on paper provides validation and puts some distance between the child and any negative feelings they may have about doctors. The art pieces can then serve as a safe and tangible medium of communication with the child. Emphasis was placed on the fact that there is no right or wrong way to complete the art exercises. It was anticipated that projective art exercises would allow for personal idiosyncrasies and yield enlightening information outside the scope of standardized self-report questionnaires.