We all have different ways of calming our mind, keeping our sanity. What is yours?
I find coastal walks and swimming in summer lift my spirit and restorative yoga (indoors) help me to quieten the chattering mind.
Now I have a new tool, can be taken anywhere!
Some time ago I was looking for books on mindfulness and I found the book below: ‘Colour yourself calm’ – written and compiled by Tiddy Rowan, Mandalas by Paul Heussenstam.
It contains 33 original mandalas in colour and on the left page and on the other side to it the black and white template for us to colour in.
What is mandala?
A mandala (Sanskrit: मण्डल, romanized: maṇḍala, lit. ‘circle’, [ˈmɐɳɖɐlɐ]) is a geometric configuration of symbols. In various spiritual traditions, mandalas may be employed for focusing attention of practitioners and adepts, as a spiritual guidance tool, for establishing a sacred space and as an aid to meditation and trance induction.
In the Eastern religions of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Shintoism it is used as a map representing deities, or specially in the case of Shintoism, paradises, kami or actual shrines. A mandala generally represents the spiritual journey, starting from outside to the inner core, through layers.
Meditate to mandala
The first time I meditated using a mandala was a few years ago in Mangrove creek yoga ashram. We were sitting on the floor (you can sit on a chair if it is more comfortable). The big mandala was on the wall in front of us. We were asked to softly gaze towards the mandala, for about five or ten minutes. It was to ease the overloaded mind and to release our creativity.
Start colouring!
Colouring is an easy way to relax the mind, body and spirit whilst subconsciously developing self knowledge, expanding imagination and creating a sense of wellbeing.
Relax and start colouring to calm yourself!
Tranquability 