“The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.”
-Aristotle
Mandala is a Sanskrit word loosely meaning “circle,” an integrated structure organized around a unifying center. It represents wholeness and appears in all aspects of life, including the celestial circles we call earth, sun and moon, as well as conceptual circles of friends, family, and community.
Each staff member in Edina was given a piece of the mandala and asked to decorate it in whatever way they desired. Many chose to decorate it reflecting their interests or passions, some chose to depict the role they play at PrairieCare, and some allowed their imaginations to run wild. Staff members were encouraged not to worry about the final product, but rather allow the creative process to reveal the artwork.
The purpose of The Mandala Project is to promote staff identity and cohesion within the PrairieCare community. The project provides an opportunity for staff members to share and honor their individual part of the whole, while at the same time creating a new whole from the collected parts. By viewing each other’s different interpretations and perspectives, each staff member is able to learn more about each other, as well as recognize the common bond within the PrairieCare community.