The Mandala Method

“The mandala is a template or blueprint of wholeness. It has a center and four directions. Associated with each direction is a color, an element, an obstructed pattern and a wisdom. It is a way to understand yourself and also your world.”

 – Lama Tsultrim Allione

The Mandala Method courses and retreats offer an exploration into the ancient Tibetan Buddhist template of the mandala as it applies to our inner path of transformation and our outer experience in the world. In her book, Wisdom Rising: Journey into the Mandala of the Empowered Feminine (Atria, 2018), Lama Tsultrim Allione offers mandala practices she has long taught in an accessible form suitable for Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike. 

The Mandala Method program is a deeper dive into these practices, along with additional practices to empower personal and spiritual transformation.

Each level offers a contemporary application of mandala principles, transforming encumbered emotional patterns, such as ignorance, anger, and craving, into wisdom through meditation, sound, art, movement, and practice with the five elements. 

The foundation for this work is the five buddha families, which represent five styles of emotional suffering that transform into five manifestations of enlightened energy. This is an experiential program exploring the divine feminine, masculine, and union of both feminine and masculine aspects of our psyche. 

The core of the Mandala Method training is comprised of three courses:

Journey into the Mandala of the Empowered Feminine 

Journey into the Mandala of the Sacred Masculine

Journey into the Union of  Sacred Feminine and Masculine

For those interested in facilitating the Mandala Method practices one-on-one with clients or other individuals, we offer the Mandala Method Certification Program.

Although the practices shared in these trainings are based in Tibetan Buddhism, they are accessible to people of any faith or gender identity. For those interested in mindfulness, this work offers a path to deepen and engage in embodied spiritual practice. For those long immersed in Buddhism, it provides rich new approaches and insights into familiar concepts. 

The Mandala Method is also a part of the Tara Mandala long-term study pathway Magyu: The Mother Lineage. Participants do not need to participate in Magyu to pursue and benefit from Mandala Method training or certification. 

Mandala Method Levels

The core of the Mandala Method training is comprised of three levels, designed to be taken in sequence, with the first level open to anyone:

Level I: Wisdom Rising – Journey into the Mandala of the Empowered Feminine 

Level II: Journey into the Mandala of the Sacred Masculine

Level III: Journey into the Union of  Sacred Feminine and Masculine

Journey into the Mandala of the Empowered Feminine

Experience transformation through the power of the mandala—a universal map for inner and outer balance, wholeness, and practical awakening. This retreat offers a journey into the Mandala of the Five Wisdom Dakinis, developed by Lama Tsultrim Allione to bring emotional transformation into alignment with the spiritual path. A template of wholeness, the mandala has as its basic structure the center and four directions, represented by five families of elements, colors, seed syllables, emotions, psychological types, and wisdoms.

The wisdom dakinis are female deities in Tantric Buddhism who embody profound wisdom and the empowered feminine. Lama Tsultrim Allione writes, “They are luminous, subtle spiritual energy, the gatekeepers and the guardians of the unconditioned wisdom and sacred earth.” In Tibetan art, they are depicted as naked, except for ornaments, dancing, wild and powerful.

This course includes:

• Introduction to the Mandala Principle
• Introduction to the empowered feminine within Buddhism
• Introduction to the five families, and teachings on the obscurations and wisdoms associated with each
• Creation of a personal altar
• Guided Life Review Practice, for each of the five families, to help you identify your own obscurations and wisdoms in your own life
• The Mandala of Five Wisdom Dakinis daily meditation practice 
• Guided Journey with the Dakini of a chosen family
• Art through Mandala Work with your Hands

There are no prerequisites for this course. It is offered as a self-paced course available at any time, and periodically with additional live classes led by a Tara Mandala Authorized Teacher. This is deep inner work appropriate for individuals of all gender identities.

Practice Requirements for those participating in Magyu and/or Certification:

• 50 hours of Mandala of the Dakini practice (10 sessions per dakini) plus ½ hour post-practice for each family (Art through Mandala Work with your Hands, Journey with the Dakini, or optionally Feeding Your Demons). Total time = 75 hours. 

Note that Feeding Your Demons® will not be taught within the Mandala Method Program, but participants who have learned it through Kapala training may utilize it as a post-practice option. 

This course is offered as a self-paced course available anytime. Participants are guided by Lama Tsultrim Allione via video recording through teachings and practices on the Mandala.

Journey into the Sacred Masculine

The Mandala of the Five Buddhas is for all students who long to cultivate and integrate the sacred and wise masculine within themselves. Buddhism sees the enlightened masculine as the capacity to act skillfully and with wise compassion. These are capacities that must be nurtured in all of us, regardless of our gender identity. The Jungian understanding of the psyche tells us that we all have both feminine and masculine energies moving within us, which he calls the anima and the animus. The work of healing and moving towards wholeness involves cultivating the wisdom aspects of both the feminine and masculine within us; otherwise, the hidden agenda of our anima or animus shadow can be destructive and self-sabotaging. 

With the Mandala Method, we offer a unique method to work with the anima in the Dakini Mandala, the animus in the Mandala of the Five Buddhas, and the union of the two in the Yab Yum Mandala. This is deep inner work appropriate for individuals of all gender identities.

The Mandala of the Five Buddhas offers a practical method to awaken the enlightened masculine within by empowering us to bring into balance the mutually supportive inner feminine-masculine unity. It is this inner union that allows us to find strength and clarity within so that we may become “in-powered” and effective change agents in the world. The practice of the Mandala of the Five Buddhas brings together sound, visualization, and meditation, and provides an inner map and skillful means to help us transform challenging emotions into their liberated wisdom.

This course includes:

• Teachings on the Five Buddhas
• Buddhas of the Mandala attributes, including mental obscurations (skandhas) and mudras
• Intro and exploration of the ‘Sacred Masculine’
• Deeper identification and exploration of your personal obscurations and wisdoms as discovered through five family work, especially in relation to the masculine
• The Mandala of the Five Buddhas, daily meditation practice
• Guided Journey with the Buddha of a chosen family
• Art through Mandala Work with your Hands
• Unblocking the Encumbered Energy (Sound and Light Practice) for all five families
• Element Meditation for all five families

Certification Participants will participate in an additional course day including:

• Introduction to Mandala Method pillars
• Introduction to Five Family Assessment
• Partner work utilizing the Enhancement Practices (Journeys, Art through Mandala work with your Hands, Element Meditation, and Unblocking the Encumbered Energy)
• Review of partner work feedback form and process

Practice Requirements for those participating in Magyu and/or Certification:

• 50 hours Buddha (10-hrs per Buddha), plus ½ hour post-practice

• for each (Art through Mandala Work with your Hands, Journey with the Buddha, or optional FYD-see above). Total time = 75 hours.
• Partner Work (for Certification Participants only):
  • Participants will attend monthly training sessions and be assigned partners to complete practice guiding the following enhancement practices:
    • Journey with a Dakini 
    • Journey with a Buddha 
    • Element Meditation 
    • Unblocking the Encumbered Energy (Sound and Light Practice)
    • Mandala Work with Your Hands

Journey into the Union of Sacred Feminine and Masculine

Venture into the Yab Yum Mandala to explore divine union beyond gender identifications, through the union of the feminine and masculine we each hold within ourselves. The model of Yab Yum union enables a direct experience of non-duality. The exploration of encumbered patterns  as represented by the five families becomes a framework for exploring obscurations that arise in relationships, such as attachment, anger, disconnection, and jealousy, and how these may be transformed into relationship wisdom.

The work of healing and moving towards wholeness involves drawing forth and cultivating the positive aspects of both our feminine and masculine energies; otherwise, the hidden agenda of each can be destructive and self-sabotaging. With the Mandala Method program we offer a sublime method to work with the feminine through the Mandala of the Dakinis, the masculine in the Mandala of the Buddhas, and the union of the two in the Mandala of the Yab Yum. This is deep inner work appropriate for individuals of all gender identities.

We can explore the Yab Yum in outer, inner and secret ways, a traditional way to unpack various layers of any given teaching. At an outer level, the teachings of Yab Yum suggest that we can meet another being – however that “other” appears to us – as a path of practice in which we fully face our partner with no escape, no guarantee, no solid ground. At an inner level, we can understand Yab Yum as a symbol of an internal balance between energies we have come to label ‘masculine’ and ‘feminine.’  At a secret level, the Yab Yum is the union of the ground of being and the emanations of the ground, the fundamental non-duality of emptiness and form, of wisdom and compassion. 

This course includes:

• Teachings on the Yab Yum figures and symbolism – Male and Female Buddhas 
• Integration of Sacred Feminine and Masculine, beyond the binary understanding
• Teachings on Jung’s Anima/Animus
• Working with obscurations in relationships, inner and outer
• Teachings on inner, outer, and secret mandala
• Divine union and non-duality
• The Mandala of the Yab Yum, daily meditation practice
• Guided Journey with the Yab Yum of a chosen family
• Art through Mandala Work with your Hands
• Unblocking the Encumbered Energy (Sound and Light Practice) for all five families
• Element Meditation for all five families

Certification Participants will participate in an additional course day including:

• Guided Enhancement Practice Feedback
• Introduction to guiding Five Family Life Review, including trauma-sensitivity and worksheet option
• Practice Guiding Five Family Life Review Introduction to guiding Mandala Practice(s) 

Practice Requirements for those in Magyu and/or Certification:

• 50 hours YabYum (10 per YabYum), plus ½ hour post-practice for

• each (Art through Mandala Work with your Hands, Journey with the Yab Yum, or optional FYD-see above). Total time = 75 hours.
  • Participants will attend monthly training sessions and be assigned partners to complete practice guiding the following enhancement practices:
    • Journey with Yab Yum Life Review 
    • Mandala of the Dakinis Practice
    • Mandala of the Five Buddhas Practice
    • Mandala of the Yab Yum Practice

Certification Capstone Retreat

The Certification Capstone retreat is the final level of the Mandala Method Certification Program. This level offers in-depth training on the Mandala Method framework and pillars, the psychological foundations for mandala work, trauma informed facilitation, considerations when working with populations different from one’s own identity, working beyond the gender binary, how to work with challenges arising in facilitation, and how to deepen your own mandala practice.  For successful candidates, the training results in becoming certified to use the Mandala Method one-on-one with others.

Topics include:

• Mandala Method Pillars and Mode of Working
• Mandala as template of psychological wholeness
• Introducing the mandala and the five families to individuals
• Identifying encumbered emotions and wisdoms
• Psychological foundations for mandala work
• Introducing the symbolism of the Dakinis/Buddhas/YabYum
• When to introduce or utilize each mandala (Dakini/Buddha/YabYum)
• Use of Five Family Assessment 
• Use of Five Family Life Reviews
• Continued Guiding Practice and Guiding Feedback on all Practices Included in Certification:
  • Five Family Life Review, for each of the five families (formerly called Regression)
  • Dakini, Buddha or Yab Yum Mandala practice
  • Journeys with the Dakini, Buddha, or Yab Yum
  • Unblocking the Encumbered Energy (Sound and Light Practice, for all five families)
  • Element Meditation (for all five families)
  • Mandala Work with Your Hands 
• Determining order of work and appropriate interventions
• Trauma considerations
• Ethical considerations
• Multicultural considerations
• Review of what Certification Includes
• Presentation of Certification in relationship to Tara Mandala
• Continued Support, Review and Case Presentations

Certified individuals will continue to receive support and engage in online Case Presentations and Supervision following certification. These sessions will be offered monthly, with each individual selecting those they wish to participate in. 

Participants in either Certification cohort must apply and be accepted into MMCP prior to registering. Apply here

Mandala Method Certification Program

The Mandala Method Certification Program (MMCP) provides training for those interested in working one-on-one with others utilizing the Mandala Method practices. The certification is ideal for therapists, coaches, counselors, sangha leaders, and other facilitators who desire to add this powerful framework and the associated practices to their professional toolkit.

The Mandala Method Certification Program is comprised of the three Mandala Method courses plus a Capstone Certification Retreat. Certification participants attend additional class sessions and receive regular support between these core courses:

Journey into the Mandala of the Empowered Feminine 

Journey into the Mandala of the Sacred Masculine

Journey into the Union of Sacred Feminine and Masculine

Capstone Certification Virtual Retreat

While the first three are open to anyone and are a part of the Magyu program, Certification participants engage in additional training sessions to learn and practice working with others.

The Capstone Certification Retreat is open to Certification track participants only who have applied and been accepted into the Mandala Method Certification Program, and for those who complete all requirements will culminate in certification.

The Path to Certification

Individuals who wish to become certified in the Mandala Method must apply. Certification participants engage in deep personal work as they move through the four modules of training, experiencing firsthand the transformational power of the mandala practices. Participants are supported in regular partner work to deepen their understanding of how to facilitate the mandala practices. Principles of trauma-sensitivity, ethical engagement, gender identity, multicultural considerations and more are covered throughout the course.

Please note that only fully certified Mandala Method practitioners may use the Mandala Method practices to assist other individuals on a one-on-one basis only.

Completion of Certification does not grant authorization or permission to facilitate or use the Mandala Method practices or teachings in a group setting. Group Certification may be offered in a separate retreat at a later time.

The steps to complete Certification include:

• Complete an application for Mandala Method Certification: Therapists, coaches, counselors, sangha leaders and other facilitators who wish to use the Mandala Method practices with individuals are encouraged to apply.  Apply here.

• Complete Journey into the Mandala of the Empowered Feminine: This course is offered as a self-paced course available anytime. Participants are guided by Lama Tsultrim Allione via video recording through teachings and practices on the Mandala.

• Complete the personal practice requirements: 50 hours of Mandala of the Dakini practice (10 sessions per dakini) plus ½ hour post-practice for each family (Art through Mandala Work with your Hands, Journey with the Dakini, or optionally Feeding Your Demons). Total time = 75 hours.

• Complete Journey into the Mandala of the Sacred Masculine: next offered in Fall 2025. Certification applicants will participate in an additional Certification Track instruction day.
  • Complete the personal practice requirements: 50 hours Buddha (10-hrs per Buddha), plus ½ hour post-practice for each (Art through Mandala Work with your Hands, Journey with the Buddha, or optional FYD-see above). Total time = 75 hours.
  • Complete Guiding Practice Partner Work:
    • Participants will attend monthly training sessions and be assigned partners to complete practice guiding the following enhancement practices:
      • Journey with Dakini 
      • Journey with Buddha 
      • Element Meditation 
      • Unblocking the Encumbered Energy (Sound and Light Practice)
      • Mandala Work with Your Hands

• Complete Journey into the Union of Sacred Feminine and Masculine: which will be offered again in early 2026. Certification applicants will also participate in the add-on Certification instruction day.
  • Complete the personal practice requirements required to move to the Capstone retreat: 50 hours YabYum (10 per YabYum), plus ½ hour post-practice for each (Art through Mandala Work with your Hands, Journey with the Yab Yum, or optional FYD-see above). Total time = 75 hours.
  • Complete Guiding Practice Partner Work:
    • Participants will attend monthly training sessions and be assigned partners to complete practice guiding the following enhancement practices:

Complete Certification Capstone retreat. This retreat is offered annually on a cohort basis for those who have completed all requirements.

Upon Certification, practitioners will be authorized to work one-on-one with others utilizing any of the following:

• Five Family Assessment 
• Life Review practice, for each of the five families (formerly called Regression)
• Meditation Practices: Mandala of the Dakini, Mandala of the Buddha, and Mandala of the Yab Yum 
• Journeys with the Dakini, Buddha, or Yab Yum
• Unblocking the Encumbered Energy (Sound and Light Practice) for all five families
• Element Meditation for all five families
• Art through Mandala Work with Your Hands

Mandala Method FAQ

General Mandala Method Questions

Certification FAQ

Certification Application