A drawing meditation: the “Breathe” Mandala
At least once per month I love creating a drawing meditation using mandalas and for today I created the “Breathe” Mandala.
I am feeling called to create more and more mandalas. I recently found out that you can create digital mandalas, and animate them to create kaleidoscopes for meditation. Oh my flutter wings are buzzing because I can’t wait to try that!
But back to the point. Drawing meditation is one of those things where I just let myself go…and see what happens. I share these drawings with you for multiple reasons.
Drawing meditation
Cultivates your inner creativity
Doing a drawing meditation with mandalas taps into your inner creativity. Whether you feel like you’re creative or not, everyone can learn to draw mandalas. You tap into your “inner knowing” to create something that originates from deep inside. This helps balance your brain function (you’re using both sides of the brain due to using rulers, lines, and math, as well as creativity) and innovation.
You go within
When you begin to draw, you tap into the breath. Breathing and getting still as you draw helps you to focus, come to your center, and touch the stillness.
You learn to trust your intuition
As I’ve said in my other mandala meditation posts, I don’t plan these drawings when I begin. Other than drawing the guiding lines, I use my markers and just “roll with it.”
I learn to let go of expectations of what my drawing should look like even as I think about balance, symmetry, and color.
If I make a mistake, I just work with it and try to balance it out.
Use the “Breathe” Mandala to meditate
If you don’t want to draw but instead like to watch the video, that’s great. The meditative process is all about meeting yourself right where you are.
As you watch, you can meditate. Let the music allow you to relax. Scan your body for tension and relax your muscles. Take three big breaths, filling your lungs and belly as much as they’ll go before releasing. Then return to a normal rhythm. Pay attention to your breathing as you watch the video and let yourself “get lost” in it.
Whenever possible, I love watching other artists at work. Seeing their creative process and watching them work is meditative – always has been – to me. That’s what served as inspiration to create a time-lapse video of my mandala drawing process.
A Mandala Shop Page
If you would like to support my work, I have recently created a little shop page where you can purchase the originals. I’m realizing I need to do something with all my mandalas! This is why, at the beginning of the post, I had said I had been feeling called to do more with my mandalas. Until I laid them out and took this photo, I did not realize the body of work I have been building. It’s just something I do and it’s integral to my life.
I hope you have a great week and if you create your own mandalas, I’d love to hear about it.
Aw, I love the drawing/coloring aspect here to help with meditation. Honestly, I couldn’t think of a better way to relax if I tried. So, definitely makes sense. Also, love that you are selling your beautiful creations, as well. Hugs and wishing you a peaceful and awesome week ahead now. As for me, I am slowly getting ready for our upcoming Disney World trip. We leave this Saturday and will be offline for more than a week. I cannot wait as I do truly look forward to unplugging and spending some quality time with my husband and girls in our most favorite place. But again, Happy Monday now and hugs!! <3 <3 <3
Sweet Janine! Hehe…I can totally see you loving to draw and color – especially given your math background, I think you’re a perfect candidate to try this. 🙂 Let me know if you do! Yes…it’s time to do something with all these mandalas. They are asking to have me pay attention to them. Hehe. I hope you have a wonderful time at Disney again – I love that you get to go and that you’re a veritable expert on all things Disney. Hehe. Have a wonderful week and – yes! – definitely unplug. Sendng you big hugs and wishes for safe travels. xo
I miss coloring, Lil Sis. I really need to do more of it. I was a coloring fiend when I was a kid. Loved it, the perfect pastime for an introvert with social issues. 🙂 Now it just seems like something I would enjoy doing again. Thanks for the reminder. I’ve got to run today, but sending hugs your way.
Big Bro, I can totally see it: you being a coloring fiend. Hehe. You’re a creative soul and I think that between the chickens, the writing, the farmer’s markets and time with your beautiful family, a little “centering” with coloring/drawing will also do a body good. 🙂 I hope you have a great week. Sending hugs from Cackalack. 🙂
It was interesting to watch the drawing happen. Not something I would ever do but I find other ways to do my meditations. I love seeing the drawings though. Maybe I’ll catch up here soon. At least a little. Have fun with the mandalas.
Marlene – so good to see you and thank you for your comments. So fun to hear your thoughts about watching the mandala come alive. Maybe you don’t make mandalas this way, but I have to say that you have made your own version: in the form of the beautiful embroidery and quilts you’ve made. Yes, life has been busy and I totally understand. I hope you have a wonderful week and sending you hugs. 🤗 Make sure to pace yourself with all that downsizing over where you are. 😍
I enjoyed this very much and had a feeling the center flower might be purple. It reminds me of how much I enjoyed coloring with my granddaughter last week. Maybe we’ll made mandalas some day.
JoAnna – it sounds like you’re in touch with your intuition. Hehe. I bet you and your granddaughter would love to make mandalas sometime. In any case, thanks for coming over and visiting. I hope you have a wonderful week!
Love your mandala’s Cynthia, I watched your video on my phone the other day when it came into my notifications lol.. While ironing I watched it take form lol as I got through the holiday laundry 🙂 I clicked like from my phone I think, but didn’t comment..
Its colours were powerful too.. Purple always a spiritual colour, I need to get more painting done, but at the moment other things are taking up my time..I could do with 48 hours in a day 🙂
Especially as I am spending more time meditating and just BEing in the garden, day dreaming watching the birds feed and bathe.. Along with the fish swimming in our very small pond..
Your mandala was memorising.. and I always enjoy watching their creation Cynthia..
I think your shop to sell on some of your creations a great idea…
Sending Lots of love your way.. Have a great week .. <3 and take care.. <3 I feel rumbling from mother to come..
Sue – aww, thank you. Hehe. The videos are fun to make and I am learning new software to make them even better (the one for this mandala was my first attempt on my new software). I loved that you were able to watch while doing laundry. You know, this is often how I watch videos and comment – by doing a calm task and letting it “absorb” into my head. Hehe.
It’s ironic to say that you could do with 48 hours in a day, what with your beautiful mindful way of life, but I feel EXACTLY the same way. I feel compelled to read, write, draw, come here to the blog, or otherwise do something that enriches my spiritual life every moment of the day. And yet…I have to constantly remind myself that it’s okay to “just be,” too. So hard to put into practice. But sometimes I’ll just lie on the day bed and daydream while watching the fluttering leaves and sunshine through the window….
Purple is my favorite color and yes, the spiritual connection to it is definitely a thing. Sending you lots of love and I can’t wait to see more of your paintings and artwork. Have a wonderful week! 🤗🤗🤗
Dear Cynthia,
I absolutely adore my PEACE Mandala – perfect for me in every way.
I love to color and share my work, whether mandalas, labyrinths or affirmations, as TY cards or with my students. This makes your gift to me even more special.
I’ve visited your store – LOVE that I have this as a gift option now for my friends. I already have my eye on one … 🙂
For today, thanks for this reminder to breathe – as the semester counts down 😉
Love, peace and hugs,
Maria
Mar – I love that you love your peace mandala. 😍 I meditated with you in mind as I created it and I hoped my intuition would lead me to create exactly what you needed. Mandalas, labyrinths and affirmations? Oh, friend! Please share these when you blog again (if you want to). I would *love* to hear more and see more about what you do. And you saw the store? Oh lawd, I think I’ve unleashed my Inner Creative. I have many more I’ve completed and need to photograph to get on here. And…and…I was drinking tea this morning and had this idea about creating little “packages” – mandalas, guided meditations, bookmarks, and the like. Oh once my brain gets going. Hehe.
But when my brain gets going, I smile and breathe. So good. So good to do. Ha! I hope the end of your summer semester goes swell. Sending you much peace, much hope and lots of hugs! 💟🤗☮️