Erotic, Painful, Joyful… Human Emotions... MANDALA

"…sometimes erotic, sometimes painful, sometimes joyful–human emotion."

Prof Thomas Whitaker, Emeritus Professor, Yale University

"The performers emerged, backs to the audience, revealing half of their naked torsos... yielding a visual image that was simultaneously serenely pure and joyously carnal.”

The Straits Times

Well, I could be biased as I wrote this post, as I am the original creator of the physical theatre piece Mandala, first staged in 2003, and I am the co-director of Mandala 2014, to be staged from 8-12 October at Goodman Arts Centre Black Box.

What is a mandala?

Below are some of my intrinsic interest and findings on the notion of “mandala”, from the cultural and psychological point of view…

  

Psychological point of view - Jung

Jung finds that mandalas have an intuitive quality that can exert a retroactive influence in understanding oneself, though the influence may not be consciously perceived. He considers that the process of achieving the union is not based on rational demonstration of will, but a psychic process which “expresses itself in symbols” (Jung, 2008, p.21). One of the universal symbols that can aid one in discovering the Self can be expressed in circular movement and circular diagrams that resemble the mandala. Jung shares his experience of sketching a small circular drawing daily in Memories, Dreams, and Reflections (1989):

I sketched every morning in the notebook a small circular drawing, a mandala, which seemed to correspond to my inner situation at the time. With the help of these drawings, I could observe my psychic transformations from day to day. Only gradually did I discover what the mandala really is: Formation, Transformation, Eternal Recreation and that is the self, the wholeness of the personality, which if all goes well is harmonious, but which cannot tolerate self-deceptions. (p.195-196)

Mandala in different cultures

According to Jung, the circular symbol that resembles a mandala exists in all cultures. Jung emphasizes that the symbol of the mandala is not only seen in the East but the West as well. He points out that the Middle Ages are rich in Christian mandalas, in which most of them show Christ in the centre, with the four evangelists, or their symbols, at the cardinal points.

In Tibetan Buddhism, the drawing of the mandala with fine sand by monks or nuns is an aid to assist meditation and concentration. Symbols of mandala can also be found in the whirling dance of Sufi monks in Dervish monasteries and the stained glasswork in European cathedrals. In Zen Buddhism, the circle represents enlightenment and human perfection; in Taoism, wuji is represented by a blank circle which signifies the completion and return to the infinite Tao.

Mandala, the performance by In Source Theatre

In Mandala, the physical theatre performance by In Source Theatre, the different stages of life a typical urban person may go through are portrayed. The drawing of a 3-metre-wide rice mandala emerges in tandem with the cycle of human life depicted on stage, alluding to the perennial aspiration of a life well-lived and rich with meaning.

In short, Mandala presents to you a unique journey that you are going to experience on your own, which is known as – an individuation journey. Join us, in Mandala!

Get your EARLY BIRD tickets (17 Jul- 16 Aug 2014) for Mandala at 20% discount from SISTIC: www.sistic.com.sg/events/mandala1014

$30 (Standard)

$25/20(concession)

Goodman Arts Centre Black Box (90, Goodman Road)

8 October 2014 8pm (preview)

9-11 October 2014 8pm

12 October 2014 3pm

 

For Preview tickets at $12, please write in to info@insourcetheatre.com.

More information: insourcetheatre.com, facebook.com/InSourceTheatre 

Director: Jacklyn Kuah
Original Creator/Co-Director: Beverly Yuen
 
Cast:
Bernice Lee Yixun
Eng Kai Er
Shana Yap

Sirfan S Sulaimi
Sonia Kwek 

Musician/Sonic Designer: Chong Li-Chuan

References:

Jung, C.G. (1989). Memories, Dreams, Reflections (R. Winston & C. Winston, Trans). New York: Vintage Books. (Originally published 1963).

Jung, C.G. (2008). Psychology and the East. Oxon: Routledge. (Originally published 1978).