Navigating Change Through the Mandala

2022 is asking for us to re-evaluate our self-care habits, routines, and rituals: anchoring even more deeply into the practices that truly nurture and sustain us from the very center of our being; dimming out the inputs that distract us from feeling truly present and connected within. 

Be it 15 minutes of breathwork in the morning, a 30 minute mindful walk mid-day, or an evening, screen-free ritual of coloring and reflecting in gratitude, we know from experience that as we establish a consistency of practice, our combined purpose, intention, and presence empowers us through repetition to further reset, stabilize, and tether ourselves even more deeply to the still point within.

As we establish the habit of our self-care practice (this consistency doesn't come without its challenges- yet, we find that as we discover the rhythm and routine that works best for our lifestyle, which usually involves some trial & error at the beginning, and a healthy dose of playfulness and gentle tending along the way, we begin to see that as we build consistency, we start to become encouraged to continue showing up for ourselves), we come to find that even amidst the uncertainty and change that we face in our exterior worlds, our practice helps us remain rooted, nurtured, and restored in the Truth of who we are. 

Art, specifically, coloring within the mandala, is a mindfulness pathway that not only supports self-care, it can also incubate and catalyze growth and expansion when met with purpose and intention. 

While coloring in and of itself has been clinically proven to:
-lower blood pressure
-reduce muscle tension
-boost immunity
-improve focus & concentration
-increase gray matter in the brain & thicken the brain stem
-produce natural antidepressants

...we can also take it a step or two further; utilizing coloring as a tool to condition our body and mind into a new state of being, while at the same time, anchoring us within the evolutionary process of change & transition, and cultivating compassion and acceptance for the whole of ourselves, just as we are in this moment. 

What I find particularly effective with coloring, specifically, is, it provides framework of accessibility as well as a pathway of progression. No fancy materials or previous artistic experience is required.

Jung was the first person to introduce the mandala to the West (Sanskrit for “sacred circle”) as a tool to support people in navigating periods of immense change.

My mini mandala coloring book builds on this research based on my own life experience, and includes a number of guided prompts to get you started with working with Mandala Coloring pathway as a tool for anchoring into inner peace and supporting growth and transformation within times of uncertainty. 

In this e-book, I share some of my personal process and practices for utilizing art and creativity as a tool for navigating change, and how you can take the same concepts and intentions and make them uniquely yours, within the nurturing framework of the Mandala. I’ve been guided to share it with you here. 🎨​​

I illustrated this 108 petalled mandala as an auspicious and playful tool for supporting your mindfulness journey through creativity via:

1. Contemplation: clarifying that which you wish to condition or cultivate- which includes holding acceptance and compassion for the parts of yourself that you wish were different, and loving all of you just as you are right in this moment.
2. Concentration
3. Quieting the mind
4. Meditation: raising your energy, tuning your radio dial to the frequency of that which you wish to experience or cultivate within yourself and the world, and sustaining this state of consciousness for progressively longer periods of time as you connect your hand, heart, and breath with the colors, textures, symbols and lines on the page.

I'd love to hear in the comments how you are inspired to connect with your own creative energy! What is your favorite creative practice? What does your practice provide for you?