Journeys of the Heart

Creating Nature Mandalas

Presented by Barb Dutchak

Instructions:

Begin with collecting multiples of varied materials: leaves, flowers, petals, textured twigs, different types of stones, dried plant materials like seeds, berries or dried flowers. Whatever you observe may be worth collecting, as long as you respect and protect the natural environment. No picking scarce wild flowers or neighbors’ flowers, please … or poison ivy. (Children may need some guidance).
Plan on creating your mandala as soon as you finish collecting the materials, because living plant materials removed from roots and water will wilt quickly.
Collect with an eye for different colors, textures and shapes. This process of collecting is itself a deeply mindful observation, connection with and appreciation of nature’s marvelous designs and diversity. I also turned it into creative “repurposing” of dandelions, invasive wild violets and maple seedlings that needed to be weeded, dried ornamental grass trimmings, a few pots of plants waiting to be added to the garden, light harvesting from plentiful stands of Lenten rose and irrepressible grape hyacinth, daffodils I’d let dry in a vase … your imagination is the limit.
Look closely. You may be amazed by what you see … subtle differences in seemingly similar rocks, surface variations from one piece of bark mulch to the next, or from one flower or petal or leaf to the next, tiny seed pods, different types of pinecones.
Decide where to create your mandala. A flat, protected place is ideal, particularly for preventing lightweight materials from being scattered by the wind before you can even finish your mandala. This can be a lawn or deck, a planter waiting for summer use, a clearing along the path you are walking in the woods, a chalked circle outline on a driveway or sidewalk or a piece of construction paper at the kitchen table.
Choose a strong central element and then just take your time to reflect and choose what objects to use in successive circles around that center. Working outward from smallest to largest shapes can be a useful approach. Symmetry around the circles is often helpful.
When your mandala is finished, take a photo of your creative work and its beauty. Or draw a picture of it. Your picture will continue to serve as a visual meditation long after your mandala has wilted, scattered or blown away. Depending on where you create it, you can observe how living plant materials wither and change form, or how the wind or squirrels scatter the elements, or how someone might add something to it if you’ve created it alongside a public path. Think about how paying attention means you’ve been fully aware of each moment of your creative activity … and even though those moments are gone, your mindful attention allows you to remember them and what you created.
Invite other family members and friends to create mandalas. Share the results with each other and notice how you inspire each other.
Imagine what you might want to collect for your next mandala and anything you might want to do differently.
Notice how the mindfulness muscle you are developing may be useful for you in other things that you do.

Delve Deeper:

For an exploration of mandalas across many cultures and faith traditions, visit:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandala

and

What is a mandala

For more ideas on nature mandalas as a family activity:

Family Bonding with Nature Mandalas

Make a mandala – a nature activity for children

Mandalas: A Practically Perfect Form of Nature Art

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