A few years ago, I attended a conference and was introduced to the concept of mandalas. Before learning about mandalas, I was already doing something called “praying in color” where I would draw a design and color it in. (I still do that quite often). But sometimes I prefer a preset pattern. Mandalas are beautiful circular designs, often with repeating patterns. While I loved the idea of coloring in these designs as a prayer, I also found that sometimes just coloring allowed my mind to quiet down and be still. Depending on your view of the world, you might call that prayer or maybe meditation. Either way, I found that after completing one, my shoulders weren’t as tense and I was calmer. After putting intense focus on one simple task, I discovered that my mind was clearer and ready to tackle the multi-tasking moments that my life requires.
I also use these with my kids. Of course, like most kids, my kids color fairly often. But I love the focus that mandalas require of them. They don’t usually finish them in one sitting, but they do sometimes work on them together. I don’t have hard facts, but the evidence that it calms them down and helps them re-focus is pretty indisputable. Plus they like it!
When I first start doing mandalas, I stumbled upon a website called iheartmandalas.com. One the site you are able to see and download {for free} some simple designs. I downloaded and printed several of these, but was really pleased when I heard that there was going to be a pre-printed book with these lovely artist-created mandalas. This book is soft back, so it’s easy to open it up and fold back the cover so that you can get to the page you want to use. The paper is nice and heavy, though when I’m using markers or pens I place an extra piece of paper behind it just to make sure it doesn’t bleed onto the next page.
For $10 and the price of a box of markers, crayons, or color pencils, this is a great deal!
(And it’s certainly cheaper than therapy)!
The Mandala Coloring Book :: $10.26 {on Amazon}
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I do this type of thing all the time. It is really very calming. I guess maybe I have prayed while doing it. I love this type of relaxation.
Thanks for sharing. I literally have never heard of this before. I think I play Candy Crush to free my mind, but I like the idea of praying while I do this. There’s no praying when I play Candy Crush. I’m going to give it a try this week!