MANDALA WORKSHOP

From time to time I conduct  "MANDALA CREATION WORKSHOPS" at the yoga/meditation center to which I belong.  Here are a few of the posters for past sessions.  The text for the workshops reads pretty much like this:

   "The Sanskrit word "MANDALA"  means circle.  Mandalas are circular patterns and designs that are universally recognized symbols of the unobstructed wholeness or fulness of life.  Mandalas are used to help us on our journey towards awakening to our inner peace and freedom.

We will begin this workshop with a brief meditation period and then we will work together to create a mandala on a large sheet of paper.  Then we will work on individual mandalas, either coloring in pre made patterns or developing our own mandala within the confines of a circle.  If anyone wishes to work only on their individual mandala, that would be fine. Participants in this workshop will explore their inner creative realms through the meditative art of mandala creation.

Mandala patterns and some markers, oil pastels, and colored pencils will be provided.  Please feel free to bring any pencils, markers, etc. that you may wish to use.

Instructor:  Roy Mitchell.   Artistic ability is not required or expected."

During some workshops we create a "SAND MANDALA."  I will show examples of this in the near future.  It is always so interesting for me to watch the creative process unfold.  After we sit still in silence for awhile each person picks an area to color in on the mandala pattern which I drew before the workshop.  Then from the inner depths of each individual the creative process unfolds.  Some draw symbols seen within, some colors, some shapes, sometimes words are written representing the inner space.  In the silent moment of the present the mandala is created.  At times difficult emotions are brought forth to be seen and processed in the creation.  Whatever is expressed becomes part of the whole mandala which takes on a life or coherence of its own beyond the individual. Roy