1. Mandalas

2. What is a Mandala?

3. Originated in Tibet 2000 years ago Tibetans use it to calm themselves and think about the meaning of life Carefully illustrated Used for meditation Show individual or cultural uniqueness Many cultures use it Aztec Asia Native Americans

4. Aztec Calendar Timekeeping Timekeeping Religious uses Religious uses

5. Taoist Yin-Yang Symbol To show opposition and interdependence What is interdependence?

6. Native Americans Medicine wheels Sand painting

7. What is a symbol? A picture that means something. Where do we find symbols? Why do people use symbols?

8. Why a circle? What are some things a circle can symbolize or represent? What are some things a circle can symbolize or represent?

9. Why a circle? Represents harmony and wholeness of life Universal shape: eye, sun snowflake, moon, the atom, cells, nucleus

10. . You are going to create your own symbolic picture representing aspects of your life! Your own mandala You are going to create your own symbolic picture representing aspects of your life! Your own mandala

11. Visualizations Close your eyes Close your eyes Picture the scenes I’m going to describe Picture the scenes I’m going to describe Open when I say Open when I say Write down what you thought about. Write down what you thought about.

12. Visualization #1 Think about a significant day in your life. Think about a significant day in your life. Who was there? Who was there? Where were you? Where were you? What was happening? What was happening? Why is the day so important to you? Why is the day so important to you?

13. Visualization #2 Think about a series of favorite locations of your childhood. Think about a series of favorite locations of your childhood. Why is each place special? What does it represent? Why is each place special? What does it represent? Dad ’ s lap? Dad ’ s lap? Grandma ’ s kitchen? Grandma ’ s kitchen? A secret hiding place under a tree? A secret hiding place under a tree?

14. Visualization #3 Envision the people closest to you. Envision the people closest to you. Who are they? Who are they? See their faces See their faces View their actions View their actions What have they done or what do they do that makes them special? What have they done or what do they do that makes them special?

15. Visualization #4 Think about the objects in your life that are most important to you. What are they? Feel yourself holding them How do they make you feel? Where did you get them? Why are they special?

16. Visualization #5 Think about a difficult time in your life. What was going on? Why were you struggling? Who was there to help you? How did you respond the challenge?

17. Visualization #6 See your life as a journey. See your life as a journey. What does it look like? What does it look like? Bumpy road Bumpy road River River Where did the journey begin? Where did the journey begin? Where has it led you? Where has it led you? Where is it heading? Where is it heading? How has the trip been How has the trip been What part was really important, a defining moment? What part was really important, a defining moment?

18. Your Mandala Most important symbol in the middle Most important symbol in the middle Think of connecting design Think of connecting design Unifying theme Unifying theme Symmetrical pattern Symmetrical pattern Color Harmony Color Harmony