A student’s family bought this book for me at our school’s
book fair. The child has been in a stress busters group with me and we colored mandalas
during one session. When people create or color mandalas, minds become absorbed
in the current moment. According to Nancy Curry and Tim Kasser, “When
individuals color complex geometric forms, they are provided an opportunity to
suspend their ‘inner dialogue’ and to deeply engage in an activity that removes
them from the flow of negative thoughts and emotions that can sometimes
dominate their lives.”
In both eastern and western cultures, the mandala has come
to symbolize harmony, unity, wholeness, and healing. Providing students an
opportunity to infuse mandalas with color reduces stress and research shows it
lowers expressed level of anxiety. Coloring mandalas (possibly with calm music
in the background) can produce a state similar to meditation. Coloring can calm
the brain and allows creativity and self-expression. Offering students a choice
of mandalas seems to increase the perceived “fun” factor.
I introduce mandalas as a choice students can do when they
are in individual counseling. For some
students the structure of the circular mandala is less intimidating than a
blank sheet of paper to color. Older students might choose to create their own deigns
when provided an empty circle outline. For
some students coloring seems to promote a deeper level of discussion. I have
also sent home blank mandala coloring pages for students to do as “homework” to
further reduce stress and anxiety. I have suggested classroom teacher have a
selection of mandalas available for “Quiet Time” for all students, but especially
during periods of high stress like the beginning of the school year or testing
season.
