71 Sunflower Lane: Manadal..........creating or colouring

This is a mandala I have created during my Lenten journey. After viewing the mandala my spiritual director mentioned to me that this drawing looked like Psalm 23. So I have used that Psalm throughout my travels and always remembered to make time for 'still waters' and with my experienced I do become refreshed.

Give it a try............

A Note from 71 Sunflower Lane……………ever coloured a mandala? Joyce Rupp describes mandala – as a sacred circle that has been a part of humankind since earliest times. Mandala is a Sanskirt word that means ‘scared circle starting from the center.’ Mandalas are abundant in nature….from the flower blossom, slicing a cabbage in half – see the center & design, or view the slice of a tree as a few examples. Start looking around your surrounding and nature to discover mandalas. Again, nature is the teacher.

Mandala was often used by C.G. Jung as a kind of container. It held what was deep within the unconscious and brought into the light of awareness by reflective drawing.

Mandalas are thought forms that represent the energy released by the creator. The mandala can be used in personal meditation, healing, or self-realization, and some women use them as a focus point during birthing. Creating a mandala helps center ourselves. The circle is a symbol for wholeness, balance and harmony.

Within that circle, a person doodles, scribbles, draws, colours, paints, or sketches their inner most spirit. One need not be an artist in order to draw a mandala. It does not need to ‘look beautiful’ in order to be insightful.

Be sure to date the mandala. It is helpful to title the mandala and to jot down any insights or connections that may come as one ponders mandala.

Draw a mandala. Begin by pausing to still and to open your entire being to the presence of the rushing wind. Let the Spirit of God move through your being. When you feel ready, fill your circle with ways that energy of God moves through your being.

Tools………..paper with a circle drawn on it ( I use a plate or bowl) and coloured pencils. Soft music can be quietly played, if you wish.

Place a dot in center of the circle.

Before starting to create a mandala……. Begin by quieting the mind and body.

Stop and check how you feel…..body (is it tense or relaxed), mind (chattering or free from words) and the spirit.

If you have an intention, then name or write it on the paper.

Sit quietly, close your eyes, hands on your lap or on the table, and quiet the mind, become very aware of the present moment – the place in which creation takes place.

Become aware of your breath…………now, take 3 long deep breaths.

Wait patiently for an image or a colour or a word to become known to you.

Open your eyes and focus on the center dot.

Pick up a coloured pencil…………let the colour choose you.

Place the image or colour or word in the center of the circle.

Don’t be concerned about drawing just let the pencil flow as you will be amazed as to what appears.

Continue to add to the circle until it feels completed.

Creating a mandala is also a lesson in Trust as you will know when you have finished…….just listen and your spirit will tell you.

Interpreting a mandala is personal. It will tell a story that is only your story.

I place my completed mandalas on a table or fireplace, or hang them on the wall, a place that I can view them as I walk by. The colours mean something as well as the images. You can check out symbolism and colour meaning on the computer but it still is a personal process.

Now, take a moment to stop and check how you feel…..body (is it tense or relaxed), mind (is it chattering) and your spirit.

Mandalas have been made as tools for concentration, mediation, or prayer or given as gifts to love ones who are going through a health crisis or grieving over a loss.

Now, if you don't wish to draw your mandala, Google mandala colouring pages and print one off, centering yourself into quiet and colour. Enjoy!

Below are meaning of some colours that may help you find the meaning or story………

Grey: Causes indifference, non-expressiveness. Some associated terms are fixed, depressed, lifeless apathetic.

Black: Symbolizes extremes, all or nothing.

Gold: Symbolizes authority, self-confidence, creativity, perfection.

Silver: Inspires emotional stability, removes or neutralizes negativity.

Copper/Bronze: Symbolizes love and passion in personal and professional relationships and endeavors.

Red: Stimulates energy, warmth and healing. Some associated terms are courage, will-power, speed and assertiveness.

Orange: Stimulates new possibilities, creativity and enthusiasm.

Yellow: Awakens mental inspiration and energizes your muscles. (Remember, your heart is a muscle!)

Green: Inspires balance and harmony, soothes both the mind and body.

Blue: Soothes and cools.

Indigo: As a mix of blue and red, indigo combines the devotion of blue and stabilization of red. Indigo inspires coolness and electricity.

Violet/Purple: Colors of transformation, soothing mental and emotional stress. For those of you who meditate, it is believed that violet strengthens one's spiritual power.

White: White is the combination of all colours. It signifies perfection, balance and harmony.

Magenta: Inspires magnetism and extra focus to achieve power.

Pink: Restores youthfulness, inspires genuine contact to your true feelings.

Turquoise: Increases intuition and sensitivity. Relaxes sensations of stress.

Brown: Represents solidity and grounding, natural and simple.

Hope you enjoyed the experience.

If you create a mandala then I hope you will share your drawing and experience.

Thank you for stopping by........see you on Thursday. Marlene