Aim Mandala

Welcome to my artist website and yogic blog. My name is Megan K McBride-Kennedy I am a life long artist and have been a yoga instructor since the mid 2021.

As a traditional artist I paint, draw, and create henna designs. In my life I explore various forms of art and self expression. In addition to my artistry, I dedicate time to the practice of yoga, meditation, and the creation of mandalas. These spiritual disciplines not only influence my artwork but also provide me with a sense of inner peace, balance and mindfulness in my creative process. Through the blend of visual art and inner reflection, I seek to inspire others to appreciate beauty and find serenity in their own lives. In this blog I write about my Aim mandala logo and talk about my meditative practice of mantra chanting with Japa Mala Beads.

The symbol representing "Aim" is prominently displayed at the heart of the mandala that serves as the focal point of my logo design. Aim is pronounced as Iym/eye-mm. Aim is the biji or seed mantra associated with the Hindu goddess Saraswati, who is the feminine counterpart to the deity Brahma, the creator in Hindu mythology. Brahma is symbolized by the OM/AUM sound, representing the primordial sound of the universe and symbolizing knowledge. In paintings and sculpture, Saraswati is depicted sitting on a lotus flower with her veena instruments. The symbolism of Aim revolves around creativity and intuition, embodying the essence of Saraswati, who is revered as the Goddess of artists spanning from painters and crafters to musicians. Aim represents intuitive awareness (yin) a balance to Om/intellect (yang). The balance between what you know and what you feel.

A mandala is an intricate geometric pattern consisting of various objects, lines, and symbols. Mandalas are created for directing attention and facilitating meditation practices. They are frequently utilized in art due to their captivating visual appeal. The art of henna often incorporates mandalas, which is why I use a mandala in my logo. Beyond their aesthetic value, mandalas also hold deep spiritual significance, representing a journey of self-discovery and growth that starts from the innermost core and expands outward through layers.

The Aim Mandala d

rawn in Henna

The act of drawing itself can be meditative, allowing for calm and introspection. Working with henna provides a unique opportunity to interact with the biji or seed mantra symbols to better understand their form. Deepening the connection to the symbol’s meaning, enhancing the overall meditative practice.

Exploring the Power of Bijas: How 'Aim' Became My First Seed Mantra

Embarking on a journey of self-discovery through meditation, I began my search for books that could guide me in the art of chanting and speaking Sanskrit. There is a common belief that a guru's guidance is essential for certain meditation practices. By exploring various books and online forums, I acquired a fair amount of knowledge and gained much insight into chanting meditation and learned how to incorporate the Japa Mala into my practice. At the end of the blog I will include some excellent books and online sources.

Among the vast ocean of possibilities, 'Aim' emerged as my very first seed mantra. I was drawn to the Hindu goddess Saraswati because she is an artist. This abstract concept of creativity is one that I love and strive to deeply understand. Summer of 2022 I endeavored to master the seed mantra Aim by repeating it over 10,000 times within 30 days. During meditation on this particular mantra, the goal was to refrain from thinking about anything, including creativity or the goddess herself. The most challenging aspect of this practice was clearing the mind, which often felt nearly impossible. Many individuals opt to focus on their breath to assist in achieving mental stillness and clarity. Chanting a mantra aids in fostering an even deeper sense of focus and clarity. Personally, I discovered that feeling the vibrations of my own voice amplified my ability to concentrate and clear the mind. While thoughts about the meaning of Aim frequently arose, once I started to hear and feel the vibrations of the mantra, my mind could settle and become still again.

Around day 8, I began to acclimate to the routine and noticed that time seemed to pass swiftly, and sitting had become easier. Each session of meditation lasted one to two hours, and had to be done once or twice a day. I successfully reached the 10,000 repetitions milestone in less than 20 days.

Chanting mantra meditation differs from prayer or pleading with a goddess for blessings. Instead, Aim is employed in meditation to tap into the inherent creativity that resides within ourselves and encompasses us.

Enhancing My Chanting Meditation Practice

In March of 2023, I made a dedicated decision to deepen my involvement in chanting meditation by acquiring Rudraksha Japa Mala beads. Prior to this, I had devoted over a year to crafting and utilizing my own malas for reciting mantras such as Aim, Dum (Dome/Durga), Soham, and Aum/Om.

Traditionally, to achieve mastery in a seed mantra, yogis aimed to repeat the mantra 10,000 times within a span of 30 days. Advanced practitioners could even accomplish this task in a single day. Motivated by my personal growth goals, I set out to work with all 7 seed mantras corresponding to the chakras and complete a total of 70,000 repetitions within the same 30-day timeframe.

Over the course of 26 days, I engaged in either one of two dedicated meditation sessions daily, diligently chanting the seed mantras for each of the 7 chakras a minimum of 436 times for every chakra. This disciplined approach laid the foundation for a profound exploration of the bija mantras associated with the chakras, which I intend to share in my forthcoming blog post.

Stay tuned for more insights into my transformative journey with the 70,000 bija mantras of the chakras.