Making a Sacred Connection with Nature

Diane, Susan and I continue to work in the "Mandala, Luminous Symbols for Healing" book by Judith Cornell, Ph.D.  Our last class session focused on Making a Connection with Nature.  Judith Cornell talked about how most indigenous cutlures perceive all life forms as sacred--a part of divine manifestation.  Interconnected, they form a symphony of nature that feeds and nurtures us on our spiritual journey.  On a CD that comes with the book she guides in meditation to come up with images of birds or animals that will help us heal our connection with nature.  The picture shown was created by Diane after this meditation.  It is done with colored pencils.

Diane and I got together this week and came up with plans to offer a 7 week course using Judith Cornell's book as a guide for creating luminous mandalas for healing.  There are a few more details we have to firm up and then I will post the details on my mandala class page on my website.

"....in accord with the Eastern conception, the mandala symbol is not only a means of expression, but works
an effect.  It reacts upon its maker.  Very ancient magical effects lie hidden in this symbol....the magic of which has been preserved in countless folk customs."  - C.G. Jung

New Petal Girl and More

A new "Petal Girl" has emerged.  She is Daffodil Girl and she likes to collect flowers to press so she can make beautiful pictures.  Her skirt is the nose of a daffodil and her top is from a geranium.  She is happy because it is a sunny and bright day.

I worked with the high school group at the Darhma Center I attend and had them create their own mandala designs for healing.  Again, I was so impressed their self expression and self awareness.  I really enjoy working with others and facilitating both their growth and healing.

I have also been creating some cards using a new technique I learned from the World Wide Pressed Flower Guild Website.  I have learned that I am happiest when I learn new techniques for creating my art.

Petal Girls

I signed up for an on-line class with the Worldwide Pressed Flower Guild.  The class is entitled "Petal Girls" and is taught by a woman from India named Anagha Shinde.  It is a very fun class and we are learning how to make girls out of flower petals.  I just love doing the class in a group and seeing what the other members of the group come up with.  Everyone shares their ideas so freely.  It is quite inspiring to me that this group of artists are so supportive of eachother.  I just completed my first girl I call Petunia.  She reminds me of myself when I married my husband Buzz 14 years ago.  Since we got married my nickname has been "Petunia".  Now that I am finished with her it is hard to move on to the next one.  It's like when I have finished a novel that was engrossing.....I would want to savor it.  However I am moving on to my second girl.

Yesterday I did a mandala drawing class with the middle school kids at our Buddhist Sangha.  I ask them to come up with a symbol that wouldl help them on their spiritual path.  I was amazed at what they came up with and will post their pictures when I get them scanned. 

Creativity is such a scarey but exciting journey!