Little Buddhas Yoga

4 days ago

How to Make a Nature Mandala to hang on window as “stained glass”/sun catcher (all ages):

1. Gather flower petals, pressed flowers, and/or leaves and flat branches (all pressed or flattened)

2. Lay a sheet of contact paper sticky side up on a flat surface. (If you have a mandala cloth, placing the contact paper on top of it serves as a kind of guide for radial symmetry but it’s not necessary at all. We will also link a printable mandala page in the comments, which you could use either to show an example of symmetry before you begin—color them mindfully too—or to place under a smaller piece of contact paper for a smaller mandala).

3. Place nature items in little piles or bowls beside the contact paper. Begin your activity very quietly, in slow motion, inviting the children to make patterns. As a child places down some petals in one place, quietly suggest making the pattern go all the way around. Or if a branch is placed on side, suggest (in a whisper) placing a similar branch in the same place on the other side. In this way, children come to understand what a mandala is, what symmetry is, in action.

4. As you work together cooperatively, release expectations. Depending what age you are working with, the mandala may not be symmetrical, or “perfect.” Simply be mindful, be present. Work alongside the students/children as a model for quiet, symmetrical, mindful mandala making. The process itself unfolds as the practice, though the final mandala is always so beautiful too.

5. When the mandala is done, be sure all nature items are stuck firmly to the contact paper. Then carefully carry it to a window and carefully press and seal the sticky (flower) side against the window for a nature mandala stained glass effect. Whenever you’re done with the mandala, or it’s time to make a new one, simply peel it from the window —it’s easily removable.

The mandala below was made entirely by three 3-6 year olds. They worked silently, sometimes humming a bit. It was so beautiful to watch them choosing a petal, placing it, continuing one another’s patterns, overlapping patterns, cooperatively, mindfully moving around the table, until the mandala was complete. Please let us know if you give it a try! ...

Photo