A Peek Into Your Inner Presence - Mano Maya Mandala

Earlier this year, I took a course called Awakening Inner Presence. It was led by three teachers I admire: Prasad Kaipa ji, Ajay Viswanath ji, and Somayaji Manikantan ji.

One exercise that deeply affected me was the Mano Maya Mandala or MMM for short. If you're open to it, try this simple yet profound exercise with me.

Take a white sheet of paper and divide it into four sections.

The vertical axis represents self-expression: uninhibited at the top and inhibited at the bottom.

The horizontal axis shows how others receive your expression: welcoming (or unconditional acceptance) on the right side and conditional acceptance on the left side.

Now think, reflect and note down keywords that come to your mind about each quadrant. I suggest not to rush through the exercise - at least spend 3-5 minutes reflecting on one quadrant before moving to the next one.

1) Top-right is nurturing; you can fully express yourself without any issue while being unconditionally accepted.

2) Top-left represents challenge; full expression is possible but only conditionally accepted.

3) Bottom-left is search; self-expression is limited in an unreceptive environment.

4) Bottom-right symbolizes learning; though not entirely comfortable expressing yourself, people are still welcoming.

Spend some time reflecting on each section before writing down keywords that come to mind.

I modified my quadrants based on my personal experiences:

"Flow" - top-right quadrant where I can fully express and the environment is receptive unconditionally. As you can see, I expanded the "Flow" quadrant to be the largest one of the four.

"Grow"- In top-left is where I saw myself in new environments that didn't know me well, or didn't believe in the value I bring to the table. That quadrant for me was an opportunity to learn and grow.

"Show" in bottom-left where both self-expression and reception are limited. This may be in certain family situations or "given" relationships. I just have to learn to "show" compassion to others and to myself. As you can see, this is the smallest quadrant of the four.

Finally,

"Glow" in bottom-right is where I have reservations on expressing fully, however, the enrironment is unconditonally receptive. (Example: During my participation in the class.) This is where I need to make an effort to express better and "glow."

Try this exercise for yourself!

Your perspective may change as you consider different environments around you.

If interested in attending a related three-day program (covering topics like the one above by the same teachers) happening between November 17 to 19, 2023 in the San Francisco Bay Area (in-person event), please send an email to awakeninginnerpresence@gmail.com request more information