Have you ever noticed how people tend to reflect the way they are treated? When they receive kindness, they often respond in kind. Conversely, when they are met with suspicion, they may become defensive or even act untrustworthy—sometimes without even realising it.
This behaviour is not just a social quirk; it is a fundamental human response that relates to our perception of our worth and the roles we play in the spaces we occupy. Much like the intricate design of a mandala, the way we present ourselves often mirrors the patterns around us.
We Are Mirrors and Mandalas
A mandala is a spiritual and symbolic representation of the universe, characterised by its symmetry, intention, and evolving design. It begins with a central point—often interpreted as the self—and radiates outward in complex layers. However, each layer builds on the foundation of the one before it.
People are similar. At our core, we may have good intentions, talent, and potential, but the way others treat us becomes the layer that shapes how we show up in the world. If the outer patterns of the mandala are chaotic, disconnected, or dark, it’s reflected in the whole. If someone is treated as untrustworthy, they may start to see themselves that way, weaving that perception into their behaviour.
Distrust Breeds What We Fear
Treat someone with distrust long enough, and they may begin to act in ways that justify that treatment—not because they were inherently untrustworthy, but because they adapted to survive within the boundaries you set for them. It’s a psychological feedback loop, not unlike drawing a mandala with shaky, uneven lines and expecting it to stay balanced.
This dynamic is seen everywhere
- In the workplace, employees who are under constant scrutiny may become hesitant to take initiative.
- In relationships, partners who are accused of dishonesty might withdraw emotionally.
- In education and personal growth, children who are treated as if they are incapable may start to doubt their abilities.
In each case, the environment moulds behaviour; we become the patterns we are surrounded by.
Drawing Better Patterns
If we want the people around us to thrive—whether colleagues, clients, friends, or family—we need to be intentional about the energy we bring into their space. Like a mandala, the environment we create becomes the template from which they grow.
Start with the Center: Trust
Begin with a belief in the goodness and capability of others. Let trust be the central point that radiates outward.
Build with Intention
Speak and act in ways that reinforce the behaviour you hope to see. People respond more positively to empowerment than to control.
Let the Pattern Evolve
Allow people room to grow, learn, and recover from mistakes. Embrace progress as part of their evolving mandala.
Reflect the Good
Just as mandalas reflect symmetry, they mirror the positive qualities you see in others. When people are recognised for their strengths, they begin to believe in them, too.
Our relationships and environments are mandalas in motion—ever-shifting, shaped by intention, and deeply influenced by the patterns we reinforce. As we approach Easter, we are reminded of the powerful symbolism of new beginnings, just as the egg represents the promise of life, renewal, and transformation. This season encourages us to break the cycles of distrust and to redraw our mandalas with fresh, hopeful patterns. When we treat others with trust, dignity, and belief, we nurture the seeds of new beginnings, much like the emerging life within an Easter Egg.
What kind of mandala are you drawing with your behaviour, and how will you celebrate new beginnings this Easter?
