When the opposites in our psyches become polarized and conflicted, a painful symptom initiates our healing process back towards balance. Drawing within a mandala format can support you come to your peaceful center. The mandala process helps to unify the opposing forces of the psyche and brings about inner harmony.
As Jung wrote, "When I began to draw the mandalas...I saw that everything, all the paths I had been following, all the steps I had taken, was leading back to a single point - namely the mid-point. It became increasingly clear to me that the mandala is the center. It is the exponent to all paths. It is the path to the center, to individuation."
30 Mandalas in 30 Days
To begin your mandala journal gather up an array of pencil crayons, and fine tip felt markers in a wide range of colours. It is helpful to use a good-sized sketchbook, at least 8 1/2" x 11" works well.
Find a circular item to trace such as a plate. With a pencil or a black pen, trace 30 circles on each right-hand page of your journal.
As you are drawing and colouring within your mandala circle, words or phrases might spontaneously arise in your consciousness. Write your random notes and insights on the left side of the page.
At the end of 30 days of creating mandalas write to me at shelley@expressiveartworkshops.com and tell me about your journey, accompanied by a picture of 1-3 of your mandalas, if you feel like sharing! Or, tag me @shelleyklammer on Instagram and I will follow along! #30dayintuitiveartchallenge
Mandala Gallery
This has been both motivational and healing for me over the month.
~ A. E California, USA
Thank you so much for this challenge! I expected ‘conflict’ and ‘hurting’ (i.e. Jung) but surprisingly the process has been a happy one.
I enjoyed it so much! Ideas kept appearing and it was fun to follow the pencil line/colours and to discover the final result.
K.L. Scotland