What is Meditation?
Meditation is a practice. Meditation often involves a technique that supports an individual to focus their attention, cultivate awareness and develop emotional and mental stability and clarity. Meditation can be practiced anywhere at anytime, standing, sitting, laying down, walking and via other forms of movement.
Mandala Art and Meditation
Mandala art has been utilized by traditions and religions from around the world, but especially Buddhism and Hinduism as an aid to meditation. The word mandala means "circle" in Sanskrit and can support multiple areas of meditation. One area in particular is as an aid in developing concentration and focusing attention.
Nature Mandala Art and Mindfulness Meditation Practice
There are many forms of meditation practice. Mindfulness is a particular form of meditation where a person practices paying attention and noticing their present moment experience without judgement. Nature mandala art in particular, both the practice of creating it and focusing one’s attention on this visual art form is a mindfulness mediation practice.
For me, mindfulness meditation practice and creating a nature mandala begins with noticing the plants. To practice mindfulness in this way, a wonderful place to start is to go for a walk in a garden, forest or even down some neighborhood streets. Allow your attention to be drawn to the plants that are growing around you. Observe and notice what you see, the colors, textures, shapes and natural symmetry of the buds, flowers, leaves, stems, and seeds. This way of practicing mindfulness opens your senses as well. Pay attention to the sounds, smells, and even the feeling and textures of the plants you are observing.
This practice of noticing and paying attention in the present moment helps to develop concentration and can support an experience of peace and inner calm. When you find your mind wandering and thinking, just return to your senses and the plants that you see.
If you live in an urban area, this practice can reveal plants that may have gone unnoticed, growing with much tenacity and perseverance in literal cracks in the sidewalk. In nature areas, this type of meditation practice can reveal a beautiful diversity and variety of plants at different stages of growth and development.
Either way, the plants are an invitation to just be in this moment, be a witness and discover a source of inspiration, awe and wonder when you are in the present moment without judgement.
THE STORY BEHIND THE “MEDITATION” NATURE MANDALA
I made the “Meditation” nature mandala in July 2021 after visiting and tending to the garden of a dear friend here in Vermont. I spent that afternoon strolling through her beautiful flower and herb gardens just noticing the plants. The Passion Flower in particular captured my imagination and attention with its intricate shape, textures and colors. The lavender smell was both uplifting and grounding. And I remember the poppy flowers caught my eye from across the garden when the sun and shadows of the late day sun were like a spotlight on the pink petals. The act of walking, observing and sitting with these plants before I even picked them was a deeply peaceful and spacious experience.
WHAT PLANTS ARE IN THIS NATURE MANDALA DesIGN?
The “Meditation” Mandala is made with:
Passion Flower
Digitalis (Foxglove) Flowers
Lavender Blossoms
Poppies
Striped Maple Samaras
The “Meditation” nature mandala is one of my most popular mandala art designs and is available as a mandala art print, nature canvas wall art print and other gift items.
Nature mandala art, photography and writing by: Michelle Wallace
Michelle Wallace is a visual artist living in Vermont. She has been creating handmade art designs called nature mandalas since 2017. You can find her art in stores across New England and via her online Nature Mandala Shop.