On my own path I discovered Monique Mandali’s "Colouring Book for Adults" I was fascinated with the patterns and designs. I would spend a Sunday with quiet background music and just spend time colouring these wonderful "circles designs” The designs are called Mandalas - "In Sanskrit Mandela means center and circle - representing wholeness. "The eternal now."
Monique Mandali’s book shares information about Mandalas in the preface. "Mandalas abound in nature. Every cell in our body is a living mandala, the iris of our eye, a snow crystal, a bird's nest, and planet earth itself. They are reflected in the design of shelters, tepees, igloos, and yurts. As an activity mandalas can help us become more focused when we feel scattered and more peaceful when we are struggling with "personal issues."
I was attracted to the designs and knew nothing of their purpose or history I just felt good when I sat and coloured the intricate and pleasing designs.
I eventually brought my discovery to my workplace (an emergency shelter for women and children in crisis) to share with the people staying with us. We developed a kitchen table discussion held every Friday morning. Crayons, pencils, markers and mandalas scattered on the table. A staff member read a children's story or a fable with a message while everyone enters themselves and colours. If the women staying with us have children we offer childminding or if the child wishes she/he can join the group.
As the preface in the book states, children intuitively know what to do; by the time we are adults, most of us have lost this spontaneity and ask, “What should I do?”
We discovered how much everyone loved this time within and one of the staff, who works with women in our local prison, decided to take the mandalas up there. We were allowed to give it a try and the results were remarkable. The women have asked to have materials up on the unit where they spend their time colouring and then writing letters to their children, family and friends on the back of their art work.
Remember colouring as a child? I remember colouring on rainy days and how I lost myself in my "work". I still have that child within me. I need to let her play, use her imagination, put colours together that "aren't allowed" and be free of restrictions, and rules for awhile.
I think artists are adults who let their child play way more than the rest of us. We get too serious about life and miss the good bits. So find a mandalas and let your child come out to play. Or design your own. Pay attention to nature and see the Mandela. Spider webs are great - snails, flowers. Look at some of the designs and patterns in your carpets your fabrics. Let the wonder of your inner child come out and play.
Sharon Hurd, British Columbia, Canada. sharon.phoenix@shaw.ca