Nature Mandala
/The mandala, which is ancient Sanskrit for “circle,” is a symbolic circular design that portrays balance, symmetry, and wholeness. Mandalas are found in almost every culture, and can serve as a sacred reminder of the path we seek to walk. My nature mandalas, which I co-create monthly, are a continuing practice of learning the land—connecting to the plant and tree life that make up my homescape, learning from them of the medicine and food they offer, leaning into their seasonal stories, and remembering our interrelatedness and meant-for-ness.
This is a practice of forming what theologian Steven Bouma-Prediger calls an ecological perception of place. That is, a practice to get to know your ecology by becoming familiar over time with as many components of your ecology as you can. In other words, this is a process of learning to listen and attune your self to storied and sacred land.
Enter into the more-than-human world with a posture of permission, an attitude that is not rapaciously consumptive, but rather courteous and respectful of the life that thrums around you, and hopeful of what will be revealed to you.
Honorably harvest plant life and materials from nature. Gather with gratitude. Introduce yourself to the plant/shrub/tree and state your hopeful intention. Take with care, taking as little as you need, and using all that you have taken.
Begin by placing an item for the center. Look at who you have before you and let them speak to you. From here, continue to create geometrical patterns that move from the inside out. Continue to move outwards allowing Nature to express her beauty and energy in your co-creation.
Use this practice as a time to get to know the plants with whom you are working. Learn their names, properties (are they medicine, food, or fiber?), and what makes them flourish. Commit to a relationship with them. It has been said that you cannot love that which you do not know. See the making of the mandala as a courtship with creation. This is in response to what mythologist Martin Shaw understands when he says, “What we need is a great, powerful, tremulous falling back in love with our old, ancient, primordial Beloved, which is the Earth herself.”
Delight yourself in this discipline that causes your soul and the soil that surrounds you to become the sacred ground of your belonging!
