The Mandala is, to me, a prayer. The word alone is a self-contained meditation. Said slowly, it spills off the tongue paying homage to all of creation.  The word mandala in the ancient Sanskrit means “essence” plus “having” or “containing”. Better said, “That which contains essence”. The coloring mandala is made of geometric or floral designs and patterns which symbolize the universe as a whole. Each one is but an infinitesimal representation of the essence of all that is. It is circular representing the infinite power contained in the universe and in each of us. The patterns have meanings that only the one who has chosen it can fully understand.  The coloring brings light and balance to both sides of the mind.

   I discovered the mandala at a time in my life when I was emotionally scattered and my mind was in chaos. My thoughts and fears would not be settled. Meditation in its truest sense was elusive at best. My mind was wracked with thoughts and feelings that would not settle. Then I was given a gift of coloring mandalas and a set of colored pencils. I was instructed to “color”.  “Kandis, if you want to find peace, color.”  I turned off the TV and the computer and I sat with my pencils in hand. My mind turned off to fear and turned on to color and creation. The chaotic thoughts in my mind slipped away and I sunk into the lines and the hues. I began to meditate with my eyes open.

Finally with my mind at peace, I wanted to go deeper into the message of the Mandala. I wanted to create some that would speak to not only me, but perhaps to others. This book is a collection of those creations. Each page comes with a short  spiritual thought  to help you come to your center and a spot for note taking or journaling. There will be times when thoughts that you don’t wish to slip away will come. Write them here. Use that space to draw, test colors or leave it alone. It’s your canvas or your  dream!

Enjoy this simple book. Enjoy the growth. Enjoy the journey.  Thank you for joining me!

                                                                                                                                                                                    Kandis ~