Meditative Mandala

Meditative Mandala 

How to Cultivate a Meditative Practice for Stress Relief and Self Expression

Course Description:

Overview  

This is a 90 minute group meditative practice focusing on the process of drawing mandalas and not the drawings themselves. The emphasis is on meditation not on the artwork. Throughout the course I will teach a range of breathing and stretching techniques which will help us prepare for the practice. I will present a slideshow presentation on meditative philosophy and visual inspiration from both the natural and manmade worlds highlighting geometric and organic shapes which we see in mandalas. Each class will end with a guided relaxation. 

Learning to draw mandalas is an invaluable creative tool to help you find stress relief and deal with any unwanted emotions leading to a sense of calmness in the body and clarity of mind. Furthermore it sharpens your sense of concentration, helping you to focus on what you want out of life. 

Over time you’ll discover that drawing isn’t just about lines on a page, but a doorway to a deeper connection with yourself, and the world around you. 

Materials Required 

I will provide paper, pens and pencils for the course 

If you’d like to bring a pen I recommend a uniPin fine line pen – size 0.5 to 0.9, no smaller,  or a Bic black pen. A5/A4 Notebook.  

No drawing ability is required as the focus of this course is meditation not drawing.  

Student Testimonial 

“The course opened up a whole new world for me. It gave me the courage to pick up a pen again  and just let things flow – without judgement – a real learning point. My colleagues have noticed how  relaxed I have become under pressure!” Thérèse Donne 

Course Outline:

Week 1  

• Introduction to cultivating a mindful mindset for mandala meditation. 
• Breathing technique – deep abdominal breathing
• Presentation: Introduction to Meditative Mandala drawing
• Basic Drawing patterns use lines and dots

Week 2  

• Wabi Sabi Philosophy to cultivate a meditative mindset – replacing self criticism with embracing imperfection.                       
• Understanding the importance of the Mandalas Centre 
• Breathing Technique – Nostril Breathing
• Presentation: Use Shapes and tone to create emphasis in your mandala  

Week 3  

• Zen Mind – Cultivating a Beginners Mindset 
• Breathing Technique – Nostril Breathing
• Presentation: Pattern Shading Techniques  

Week 4  

• Yogic principle of ‘Santosha’ to cultivate a non-judging mindset. 
• Breathing Technique – Alternative Nostril Breathing
• Presentation: Colour Patterns in Mandalas  

Week 5  

• The Philosophy of Intention 
• Breathing Technique – Box Breathing
• Presentation: Colour Psychology for Meditation and how to use colour in mandalas

Week 6  

• Henry David Thoreaus Philosophies on Nature 
• Guided meditation: nature visualisation
• Presentation: Understanding the rhythmic patterns in Nature to tap into your inner creativity

Week 7  

• Chakras 
• Guided meditation: chakra visualisation
• Presentation: Chakras in Meditative Mandalas – Creating Unity while incorporating variety

Week 8  

• The Golden Ratio 
• Guided meditation: creative visualisation
• Presentation – The Golden Ratio As a Visual Pattern

Week 9  

• Japanese Scientist Dr Masaru Emoto – Water Experiment and its impact on the patterns within our own bodies. 
• Guided meditation: Snowflake visualisation
• Presentation – Balance in Mandalas and our lives

Week 10  

• Non Verbal Reasoning to strengthen pattern recognition in visual information. 
• The final guided meditation and presentation will also be based on what students have requested throughout the course

Course Day & Time: Thursday evening 7.30 – 9.00

Start Date: 05/02/26

Cost: €85

Course Format: In class with tutor (Maximum of 12 students)

Materials Required: The tutor will provide paper, pens and pencils for the course. If you’d like to bring a pen, recommend a uniPin fine line pen – size 0.5 to  0.9, no smaller, or a Bic black pen. A5/A4 Notebook. 

Please Note: No drawing ability is required as the focus of this course is meditation not  drawing.  

Duration: 10 weeks

Enrolment: You can enrol online through our website www.malahidecsadulted.ie by clicking on the ‘Enrol Here’ button. Enrolment will open Tuesday the 9th of December at 10am. 

Tutor: Helen Keane

I have extensive yoga and meditative art experience with a background in yoga and meditative art training from India and America.