When I began this journey I just started doodling!

There was very little information about mandalas anywhere…. At that time I found Tibetan Buddhist Sand Mandalas and the work of Carl Jung.

Over time there has been such a flourishing of this process. You can find books, computer programs, tutorials on ‘youtube’ and immumerable websites.  The variety and beautiful detail that people all over the world create is fascinating.

But for me, after working with them for 25 years… I’ve found that the simple process of putting pencil to paper becomes a meditative process.

It is the ‘state of mind’ that we achieve that is  so valuable.

Not concerned with any particular outcome, artwork or display….. but by being totally in the ‘present moment.’

Over time, if done on a regular basis for a short time each day  30 minutes ……  ideally up to 1 hour if possible, it becomes a valuable ‘tool.’

It can be of great benefit…. if we are feeling stressed, frazzled or overwhelmed with everyday circumstances. It becomes a focus for our mind and surprisingly helps clear the clutter of continuing thoughts.

As we focus on creating the repeating pattern…. our full attention keeps our mind from wandering into the past or the future.

Each time our mind starts roaming…. we bring our attention back to the touch of the pen / pencil on the paper and just keep drawing or colouring in.

It becomes a visual ‘mantra.’

Then we can learn to observe our thoughts as they float by… and notice where our attention goes…..’that’s interesting. I’m thinking this or that again’ and just let the thoughts go…

We learn to be more discerning about our choices and decision making……..

Over time  we learn that most of our thoughts are unnecessary and often left to their own devices can lead us on imaginary journeys of worry and distress.

So concentrating on a repeating pattern keeps our every-day mind occupied…. totally in the NOW. This also gives our mind a rest from all that thinking !

Such a simple process gives great results.

Is is best to go into this with:

No expectations.

No planned outcome.

No pre-conceived ideas.

This allows us to get into a state of ‘flow’…..allowing  the design to create itself from the centre………out…..

We learn to let go and trust the process…….

 

‘ A good traveller has no fixed plans

and is not intent on arriving ‘

Lao Tzu

 

Below I have shown a simple way to start the mandala process with easily obtainable materials.  I prefer to use a refillable pencil with an eraser at the top… so I don’t have to stop to sharpen my pencil !

 

 so to begin…….

A piece of A4 white paper, pencil & eraser, compass, ruler and scissors…

Start with just black and white designs to get the feel of the process and you have no choices to make….

Just follow your pencil….. or if you prefer a black fine liner… you can fill in areas with patterns without worrying about ‘colour.’

When you feel comfortable…. you can progress to using coloured pencils.. (only use three for each mandala as this lessens the decison making process)

 

fold one corner over on the diagonal

then fold over the opposite corner

rule a line from each corner and cut along with scissors

then we have a square

 now fold from one side to the other

now the other way

 now we have a perfect square with no need to measure

 put the point of your compass into the centre and draw a

large circle near the edge of he paper and then another a little closer in..

this creates the border

 now a smaller circle nearer the centre

(this is where we start from)

you can experiment where you place your circles

Draw a shape, line or squiggle in one of the triangles created by the folded lines in the centre and repeat around the circle…

then you can move out into the next circle

There is no right or wrong way.

In this one I first drew a small triangle and then moved out into the next circle.

 Just play….experiment…. let go… and allow….  follow your intuition and see where it leads…

‘ The journey of a thousand miles

begins with one step ‘

Lao Tzu

 Eventually you will feel yourself drop into the sense of ‘flow’.. just allowing the design to emerge…

there is a beautiful sense of  ‘mystery’ here…

 from a very simple beginning..

you’ll be surprised by what you create…

You can colour in as you do each round…. or design it first and then colour in…

Create a few folded pages …

pop them under something heavy to softenen the creases… ready for your next mandala meditation time…

to see the end result of my mandala   ‘journey’

  

www. forrestmoon8.wordpress.com/2014/11/30/

tapestry-of-light-mandala/ 

I have created a  ‘pinterest’  page with mandala designs

from nature and artists work I admire.

http://www.pinterest.com/forrestmoon8/mandalas/

Also check out

http://www.themandalaproject.com

(a  great site with over 2,000 mandala creations from people all over the world. You can add yours to the collection.)

© forrestmoon 2015