Video Series: Celebrate Easter by Creating a Mandala

By Kathy Keary

Our full series in the Contemplative Prayer Video Series is here.

Revisit earlier articles in our Contemplative Life Series here.

Christ, the Lord has risen. He has risen indeed. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Throughout Lent, we focused on embracing our personal crosses by uniting them with the cross of Christ as a path to the new life offered in the Resurrection. Easter has arrived. It’s now time to focus on the new life offered through the mystery of the Resurrection. Let’s acknowledge the gift won for us by Jesus and celebrate the hope offered to us by this sacred miracle.

Words often fall short in conveying the deep emotions that whirl within us. Expressing heartfelt feelings through the arts allows us the opportunity to surface all that is stirring deep within where the Spirit dwells. I invite you to explore these emotions by creating a mandala.

A mandala is a circular design that can be enhanced with color. It uncovers the essence of one’s inner being. Mandalas date back to ancient times originating in the practice of Buddhism but have found a home in many faith traditions including Christianity, Hinduism, and Native American Spirituality.

Hildegard of Bingen, a 12th-century German mystic, experienced supernatural visions throughout her life. These visions were later depicted in mandalas. While she did not draw them herself, she oversaw their production.

The 19th-century psychologist Carl Jung was instrumental in popularizing the creation of mandalas in the west. He wrote about his daily practice of drawing this design to reveal the state of his inner self. This exercise promotes self-discovery and spiritual transformation.

Our video shows someone drawing a mandala. The video is by Elsa Rhae and can be found on her YouTube channel https://youtu.be/U49TaN-MkM8. It amazes me how she uses simple shapes to create a beautiful design. This will give you an idea of how you can go about uncovering what is stirring within your deepest self and expressing it through art.

I hope you enjoyed creating your mandala today. Did you notice how present in the moment you were as you drew your mandala? Take a moment to reflect on your mandala. What message is hidden within the design you have created?

I look forward to being with you next week as we continue our video series on contemplative practices.

Let’s remember to keep the people of Ukraine in our prayers. May they feel the warmth of God’s loving embrace deep in their soul.

I will see you next week as we continue our contemplative journey.

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[Kathy Keary, spiritual director, holds a bachelor’s degree in education, a master’s degree in theological studies, and completed Sophia Center’s Souljourners Program, an intense study of spirituality and spiritual direction. Kathy believes that the Divine is present and active in all of life and encourages others to be awakened to the God in all including the Divine within. She enjoys accompanying others on their journey to wholeness discovering the person they were created to be.]

Photo 162855796 / Coloring Mandala © Jekaterina Voronina | Dreamstime.com

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