Happy 1st Birthday - Mandala Oasis!

June 1, 2009 marks the first birthday of the luminoius Mandala Oasis Yahoo Group! In case you don't yet know, the Mandala Oasis online community is one of the most kindred, inspiring, compassionate, supportive and creative groups I've been a part of; and the members have echoed this sentiment from the beginning. The formation of the amazing group is truly a demonstration of the principle "if you build it...they will come."

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My desire for kindred community focused in creativity as an expression of spirit, was a Cosmic Gong that I sounded in June '08...they all heard it...and came! This is truly a full circle moment...how apropo! ~ I am thankful for everyone who is a part of this amazing family...be they wallflowers...active participants....or visitors of this blog. It's all of you...all of us... who make the Mandala Oasis...an Oasis of spirit... a truly sacred space.

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Beaming grace, gratitude...and a group hug to you all ((((0)))....

~Blissings.... Cheryl

"Women of Spirit"

Celebrating

Women of Spirit...

...the Spirit of Women.

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The Lighthouse of Spirit

that guides

and holds space for us daily.

Women...who bring spirit

to everything they do:

Spirited communication...

Spirited creativity...

Spirited expression...

Spirited giving...

Spirited nurturing....

be it a loved one...

a home...

a garden...

or Spirited loving.

Be it a smile...

or a hug

or compassion

for those familiar...

or those not yet so...

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Women of Spirit

holding our world together

for centuries on end...

from every locale on Earth.

The Spirit of Women...

an eternal balm that lingers

long after we've departed,

the room...

...or the planet.

In overflowing grace

and gratitude...

I honor and celebrate

the Overarching Principle

of the Divine Feminine...in you.

"Revealing"

What lies beneath...?

growing...

winding...

reaching.

Breaking though the surface.

Naturally unfolding.

Blooming...

rejoicing...

expressing.

Revealing...

its own nature.

"Captured by Infinity"

Today is a day of
stepping out on
the Winding Purple Path...

Today...I say yes to life!
Ahhh...
embraced by the natural unfolding of...
blooms at my right....
blooms at my left...
blooms beneath me...
blooms above me...
Blooming Love surronds me!
...and lives in the heart
and soul of me....
witnessed
by the Garnet sun...
and captured...
by Infinity.

"Courage" Mandala -- Cover Art!

That's my mandala on the cover!

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Synchronicity, you know...the seeming-magical occurance of the timing of events at the precise moments that are signficant to you?...no matter how large or small? With synchronicity, they're all goose-bump events. They're like messages from Spirit...guiding us...telling us we're on track...or not. Like a lot of people, synchronicity has been my companion ever since I can remember...and I wouldn't have it any other way. My mom, mystic that she was...brought that, along with lots of other wisdom...to my attention early on. I've also learned that it's important to pay attention to the synchronistities...and not dismiss them as random. Nothing is random. When we notice them and have a desire to explore them, they're clues to the treasure map of our life journey.

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In his book, Spontaneous Fulfillent of Desire - Harnessing the Infinite Power of Coincidence, Deepak Chopra writes "...but if you catch coincidences at the moment they occur, you are better positioned to take advantage of the opportunities they may be presenting."...That's exactly what happened when I received an unfamiliar e-mail... after all we're not supposed to open e-mails from people we don't know...right?...

...Well I felt it was OK to open this particular one, afterall it had "mandala" in the subject line :)... and it just felt OK. So, I listened to that inner "OK" and opened it. Well, at first I felt as if I was in the Twilight Zone! It was from the editor Imagery International's quarterly journal. (Imagery International is the Professional Organization of Guided Imagery practioners.)...
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...She wanted to use one of my mandalas for the cover of their worldwide quarterly publication! This was a thrill for me because I love making and sharing my mandalas...as well as the insight they gift me with. To think...this one was delivered right into my e-mail box! And...it was an opportunity to reach people all over the world with my mandala work. How synchronistic is that!?!
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Since the cover was published I've had a bountiful outpouring of cheering-on from friends, family, creative partners, and other bloggers...it's been heartwarming! And then the icing on the cake...with a cherry on top...came from my dear friend Chris Dunmire, founder of the award-winning website, Creativity Portal... she celebrated with me when she wrote about it on her blog, Creative Slush, here! ~ Thank you, Chris. ~ I just love how sharing our creativity connects us...makes us family; and that's one of the best synchronicites of all.

"Heart Strings"

I am one who loves the dance of life...

Heart Strings leap

from golden jewels...

born of an

Infinite,

Indigo Sea...

Resting,

at the Center.

. . . .

A wing,

and a prayer.

. . . .

I say "yes"!

"Reaching Beyond"

Reaching beyond what is.

Stretching...

Exploring...

Sprouting...

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Reaching beyond what is.

Breaking out of the shell

that holds...

the juice...

the joy...

the seed...

the expectation!

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Reaching beyond what is.

Glimpsing...

Tasting...

Celebrating!

Enlivened by...

the nectar...

of

Destiny.

Soul Mosaic: "Ancient Jewels"

Ancient

hidden jewels...

occupy the Rain Forest

of my heart.

Riches galore!

I spy Amethyst...

and Turquoise...

and Ruby...

embraces of

mystical, dramatic Emerald...

Swaddled in Gold.

Twinklings

of ancient Stardust

court me!

Rooted...

in the Native Center

of All Centers.

Mother of Eternity.

Yes, ancient,

hidden jewels...

echo the heart...

of my

Soul Mosaic.

"Flowering Horizons"

Today is a day of flowers on the horizon

Today is a day of vision...

a flowering vision in my heart...

bouquets of hopes and dreams

and inspired action

regardless of seeming-evidence to the contrary

buzzing around us.

Today is a day where "hope springs eternal" *

not as a passive wishing...

but as the rich soil where belief-seeds

take root...and where vision blooms.

Today is a day where the Soul's work evolves...

inspires...and takes outward form.

Yes, today...flowers of all sorts

are on the horizon

of my soul-garden...

they're coming up...right now!

Today is a day for knowing...

and trusting...

Today is a day of celebration...

of singing before the dawn...

and knowing the sunrise

of Heart-desires' bloom

is just a heartbeat away.

Trust.

. . . .

After listening to, and watching too much News...(none of it was uplifiting or empowering) something in me said "Enough! now..declare what you really know, what you know from Spirit." - The above writing "is" that Knowing. I was so divinely anchored after the above poured through me. Yes, I am thankful for Spirit that mentors me to fly higher than facts, figures and F.E.A.R (False Evidence Appearing Real) ...no matter how well it's disguised. ~ Ahh, life is good! and today is a day for seeing, feeling and living...that!

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*From Alexander Pope, click here

"Exuberant Purple Passion"

"Exuberant Purple Passion"

transforms purple into shades...

of blue....and green...and gold

...more than the eyes can see.

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"Exuberant Purple Passion"

transforms circles to diamonds

and diamonds to stars....

and stars into stardust...

and dreams into form....

like weaving straw into gold.

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"Exuberant Purple Passion...

just one of many glorious flowers

in the garden of my soul's

blooming creativity!

"Peace Feathers"

"Peace Feathers" blow through my heart

gracing my entire being.

Peace fragrance

breezes through....

my eyes...

my nose...

and my throat....

On the wings of

the Goddess.

"Peace Feathers" take flight...

caressing my face

with it's divine fragrance...

with its divine touch...

singing its divine song.

Ahh...do you feel it?...

the chorus of Peace...

echoes and within us...

within our peace cells.

Allow the touch

and thought of "Peace Feathers"

to comfort you.

"Vivid Vivacious Visions"

Today

I have vivid, vivacious visions...

DANCING

in my mind's eye...

DANCING in my

DNA!

I am all smiles...

and in giddy anticipation.

Oh.. yes,

I am up to something!

(te-he-he)

"Turtle Love"

Turtle medicine

teaching me to...

give myself what I need

Go inside...

...let my shell nuture me

come out when it's time

for what's been nurtured...

to be expressed...

outside the shell.

Swirling...Turtle Love

"Whispering Petals"

Petals of surrender...

and Grace...

and joy...

they breeze through my soul...

whispering...

"Believe...

Trust....

Let go...

Smile..

Peace..."

Yes... a symphony for my soul

from Whispering Petals

in the breeze

of my heart.

I am grateful.

Insights and shifts continue to come to me from this marvelous "Mandala Medicine". This mandala is an encore post, yet the message is more like "whispers from the ages". My original writing of this mandala was of the Creativity Club Sandwich that it inspired...reflections and inspiration for sandwiching creativity into our day...as well as gratitude for that awareness and the blessed creative community, both online and offline. Mandala Medicine contnues to teach me in beautiful, loving, and creative ways. Ahh.... I do love this journey!

Mandalas for Peace - update

We have shared many luminous mandalas since this project began!
The Mandalas for Peace Project is ongoing, instead of just nine weeks as mentioned in the original post. The premise of the Project is to consciously create mandalas from the energy and intention of peace... to sustain that peace within, and to radiate that peace and inspiration to our world through our mandalas...and our lives. Mandalas for Peace is anchored in authentic, sacred, self-expression with Peace as the germinating medium..in our creativity as well as our lives. We hope you'll join us and share your mandalas on your blog and with the Mandala Oasis members...and please know...you are invited to join us at the Mandala Oasis Yahoo! Community. Click here for a quick "how to" for making mandalas. Click here and scroll to see the blog comments from others who've been inspired to make mandalas; and the blessing it has been for them.

Mandala Challenge: Gratitude~Thanksgiving~Forgiveness

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow." ~ Melody Beattie

Hello beautiful spirits...
As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches I reflect on my own life...and feel abiding gratitude within me... I'm reminded of what gratitude feels like in my heart center... its a warm glow...peaceful, feeling of contentment...a quiet(er) mind... a basking in the glow of gratitude, apprecition...and thanks-giving. I also realize...that I can't have true and complete "thanksgiving" (I don't mean the holiday)... without first "forgiving"...be it someone, some incident, or myself. Forgiveness is key....it allows us to complete our "life mandala"...to let the circle be unbroken.
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So, the mandala challenge is: ...if thanksgiving...or forgiving/forgiveness....or gratitude...or appreciation were a mandala...what would it look like? ......What would the "essence" of that energy look like? -- I invite you to close your eyes...take a few deep, cleansing breaths... get still...and inquire within...and set the intention to create a mandala that shows the energy of what you need to express/release. It might be one mandala...or a few.......There's no getting around it... we must let go of what we don't want...in order to make room what we do want..and to experience its fullness down in our bones...that might mean making a mandala for unforgiveness which clears the space for mandalas of thanksgiving, forgiveness, gratitude and appreciation.
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If you decide to partake of challenge...please be sure to share your mandala...and your experience with us :) either by leaving your blog link here... or by joining us at the very kindred and inspiring Mandala Oasis Yahoo! Community (see link at top, right).
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I am reminded of my "Gratitude-joy" mandala as I write this... So... I'll share it with you again here: http://mandalaoasis.blogspot.com/2008/09/gratitude-joy.html --
I'll see what other mandala comes up for me..in light of this post...I'll share it here.
Peace & blessings... ~Cheryl

"Peace Within"

Peace

...all around...

and within.

I imagine

this is what "peace cells"

would look like

under a microscope,

wall -to-wall...

shoulder-to-shoulder

...a world of peace

in each cell..

in each of "our" cells

just imagine it...

feel it.

Allow more peace

to be born

within your very cells.

"Mind/Body/Spirt" focus -"Mandalas for Peace Project"

"Ripples of Peace"

Peace ripples through me

when I let go of

what might've been

and see the beauty of...

what is.

~Cheryl Finley

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My first in the Mandalas for Peace series. Created in the wee hours of the morning - the dawning of day one of the Mandalas for Peace Project - focus: "Community" - details here.

Mandalas for Peace Project

The Mandalas for Peace Project was inspired by the wonderful, creative beings of love and light at the Mandala Oasis Yahoo Community* . Every time we talk and share our mandalas... inspiration, insight and enthusiasm are born. Our hearts are touched and beautiful things happen, and the Mandalas for Peace Project is one of them. *(What's a mandala? Click on the above Mandala Oasis Yahoo Community link to learn more.) - Click here for a quick "how to" for making mandalas. Click here and scroll to see the blog comments from others who've been inspired to make mandalas; and the blessing it has been for them.

12/1/08 - Update - The Mandalas for Peace Project is ongoing (instead of just nine weeks as mentioned in the original post). The premise of the Project is to consciously create mandalas from the energy and intention of peace...and to share that peace and inspiration with the world via our mandalas...and our life. Creating in the name of peace is what it's this project is all about. We hope you'll join us and share your mandalas on your blog and with the Mandala Oasis members. We invite you to join the Mandalas for Peace webring and post the logo on your blog or website.
Peace.

"Gratitude-joy!"

Ahh...gazing upon this mandala sets my heart aflutter. I realize that this is what my gratitude for joy feels like...and looks like. Thank you Gratitude-joy for showing your face to me...for coursing through my being. -- Some heart-thoughts in honor of our kinship:

I am Gratitude-joy!

I dance in your heart

and set your soul a-purring...

...and

making your heart...content.

~ ~ ~ ~

I am thankful

that Gratitude-joy...

lives in me...

moves through me...

as

love...

peace...

beauty...

love...

creativity...

gratitude...

and joy

All is well...

Gratitude-joy is here.

"Cosmic Sunflower"

What presence the sunflower has. Statuesque. Bold. Dramatic, yet simple. The casual elegance of the sunflower has captured my heart and imagination. It speaks volumes without uttering a word. Ah, the power of its presence...not many can resist a smile while amid sunflowers. In a breath, they court your heart, and we are theirs....smiling and smitten.

Thank you, dear sunflower!

This post is in honor of the Autumn creativity prompt at The Mandala Oasis Yahoo Community.

Swirl

Namaste / Honoring

As I look gaze upon this mandala, I see "honoring" - Namaste - the divine within me, salutes the divine within you.

The left side with the darker blue, and the right side with the lighter blue that surrounds the green. Working spontaneously and intuitively I didn't know what this mandala would look like when I finished it. A few days later that I noticed the two blues... placed like bookends on each side...supporting what's in between; what's at the center. I made this mandala on 9/11... a way of honoring where I was in my heart center; an honoring for all whose lives were changed that day. Namaste.

"New Vistas"

New vistas beckon...

This mandala is a departure for me.

What are all those squares doing in my mandala? Afterall... I'm a swirl girl.

Not on this day though. Those squares must've shown up for a reason.

Well, I did make this mandala on Septemeber 11th.

I think it's my soul's way of acknowledging

that on that day our world was forever changed, dramatically...

and therefore so was I...and so were we all.

I now know this mandala is honoring and acknowledging

that there's been a huge change...

and inspite of it we must see new, improved vistas...for peace and love.

~ ~ ~

I am in awe...yet again of this Mandala Medicine ..it knows just what it's doing. It reveals new journeys and impressions, that make up the Mosaic of the Soul. Thank you, Mandala Medicine for being a soothing, homeopathic balm.

~ ~ ~

"In the right light, at the right time, everything is extraordinary."

~Aaron Rose

Mystery

This mandala is a bit of a mystery. I just noticed though, that the curvaceous triangle that evolved as I worked on it is very similar to this mandala that I made a few months ago. I'm looking forward to discovering...and decoding the symbols and shapes that continue to show up - as well as the colors. Right now, I'm just embracing, and contemplating the mystery.

Tasty Tropical Breezes

"The really nice breezes blow through my body,

and into my soul. " ~Astrid Alauda

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"Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain or usher storm,but to add color to my sunset sky." ~Rabindranath Tagore

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"Only those in tune with nature seem to pick up on the energy in wind. All sorts of things get swept off in the breeze - ghosts, pieces of soul, voices unsung, thoughts repressed, love uncherished, and a thousands galore of spiritual ether. Wind is an emotional rush because emotions are rushing by." ~Drew Sirtors

"I Love What I See"

The Great Vision of my life

has courted me...and I say "I do".

I love what I see

and what It has shown me.

I love working to bring that Vision into being.

I am thankful for, and I LOVE

the Dream Team that Life has given me,

and I joyfull give to the them.

My heart glad!

The Great Vision of my life

has courted me...

I lovingly surrender and say "yes" to Its proposal.

I say "yes" to the Beloved Vision

that flows to and through me.

"Yes, I will bring you into this world.

Thank you for choosing me."

I love what I see...

I am thrilled to let it pour through me...

now and forever more.

Colorful Horizons

This mandala adorns a blank page in a brand new turquoise journal,

which hold notes, ideas and plans of action

for a new project I am birthing.

It reminds me that life's horizons are...

colorful...

vibrant...

and expanding

...blooming as I like to say.

It reminds me that not only is my project counting on me to birth it...

it reminds me that everything expands

or contracts as is needed for it to be so...

this includes my well being.

Thank you.

Shower of Light

We are each gifted in a unique and important way. It is our privilege and our adventure to discover our own special light. ~Mary Dunbar

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There are two ways of spreading light; to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it. ~Edith Wharton

Light gives of itself freely, filling all available space. It does not seek anything in return; it asks not whether you are friend or foe. It gives of itself and is not thereby diminished.
~Michael Strassfeld
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People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in their true beauty is revealed only if there is light from within.
~Elisabeth Kübler-Ross

Celtic Circle

It's all about perspective.

It amazes me how this mandala moves...and is an optical illusion.

Sometimes I see the Celtic Cross

and sometimes I see the pinwheel moving and drawing me in.

There's also the rope-like circle of pink, purple and blue

that plays hide and seek with me.

Other images continue to reveal themselves

each time I view this mandala.

This could also be called "The One and the Many"

which we work with in SoulCollage.

That's the idea that we all are "the many"...varied expressions

of "the One" creative source.

It reminds us of our indivisability from the One.

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Another spontaneous image...shines through.

Thank you mandala journey.

"Getting to the Point" - Creativity Prompt

I was in need of shifting from my logical left-brain into my intuitive, spontaneous, creative right-brain. This mandala process has deepened my kindship with spontaneity and intuition, yet from time to time my rational mind has tried to rule; and I want to allow this mandala process continue to take me deeper into my heart. So...

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...I gave myself a time limit for creating a mandala. ..rather exciting. I set my timer for 20 minutes, ...it was both exhilarating and relaxing. After 10 minutes I was more than half-way done. I was not attached to the outcome of what I was making, I was just having a good time. It feels so good to let the Creative Spirit soar!

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Soon after the mandala was done I noticed that all the pathways joined into one point and I heard withn me: 'Getting to the Point'... the most important point whatever it might be in the moment for me. That message is steering me back to where I need to be in many areas of my life, that's where I've set my intention and attention. Thank you Mandala Process!

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I invite you to give it a try! Gather your materials. Set your timer for 20 minutes or so, and go for it! If you're new to making mandalas for self-expression & self-discovery I explain it here . And, since it's all about expressing what's inside of you, artistic experience in not necessary. Whatever comes up and out is what's meant to surface. - I invite you to share your mandalas with us at the Mandala Oasis Yahoo! Community. We are wild about mandalas, and you are most welcomed to join us!

Blooming Life!

From the Center

...life begins

an egg...

a seed...

and soon...life blooms...here

....or there

And for that...

I am deeply grateful

Blooming Butterfly 2

Colorful, vibrant, transformative life!

It's blooming out...

all over!

Angel of Resoration

After hearing whispers of "restore" in my ear over the last few weeks, I knew that was something for me to surrender to...to give myself; time to restore my soul, allowing myself to balance being a human "being" vs. so much a human "doing". Over that period of weeks...this mandala was created.

"Intention's Journey"

Intentions - a Haiku:

Our intentions are

the atomosphere in which we

live our truth out loud

~Cheryl Finley

For more on this mandala click here.

"Ultimate Center"

"The cyclone derives its powers from a calm center. So does a person." ~Norman Vincent Peale

"I am, indeed, a king, because I know rule myself." ~Pietro Aretino, 10 May 1537

For more on this mandala, click here.

"Life...a richly textured journey..."

"...and when you get the choice to sit it our or dance... I hope you dance" ~Lee Ann Womack

From her song I Hope You Dance...which you can enjoy by clicking here.

For more on this mandala click here.

"Ode to the Mustard Seed"

"I tell you with certainty, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you. "~Matthew 17:20

"Faith is a passionate intuition." ~William Wordsworth

"Faith is spiritualized imagination." ~Henry Ward Beecher

"Faith is courage; it is creative... while despair is always destructive." ~David S. Muzzey

"To me faith means not worrying." ~John Dewey

"Faith is putting all your eggs in God's basket, then counting your blessings before they hatch." ~Ramona C. Carroll

"Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase." ~Martin Luther King Jr.

For more on this mandala, click here.

"Powerful Beyond Measure"

The Magenta Path in this mandala...is it a fork in the road...or... a merging? - Our awareness of where we are with that question is but one ingredient that has the potential to make each one of us fully conscious...that we are...Powerful Beyond Measure.

So...are are you "forking"...or "merging" on your journey right now? For more insight on this, and on embracing being Powerful Beyond Measure click here.

"Peace.. blooming out all over"

My heart (and face) smiled when I came across the quote below. Surely..it's an ideal recipe for peace...to bloom all over! Here are a few recipes for peace...

"Maybe we should develop a Crayola bomb as our next secret weapon. A happiness weapon. A beauty bomb. And every time a crisis developed, we would launch one. It would explode high in the air - explode softly - and send thousands, millions, of little parachutes into the air. Floating down to earth - boxes of Crayolas. And we wouldn't go cheap, either - not little boxes of eight. Boxes of sixty-four, with the sharpener built right in. With silver and gold and copper, magenta and peach and lime, amber and umber and all the rest. And people would smile and get a little funny look on their faces and cover the world with imagination." ~Robert Fulghum

"Let there be peace on earthAnd let it begin with me."
~Seymour Miller & Jill Jackson, "Let There Be Peace on Earth," 1955

For more on this mandala, click here.

"Spiritual Insight"

"The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light..." ~Luke 11:34

This mandala spontaneously took shape while I was listening to an inspiring message on CD from Rev. Michael Beckwith of Agape Spiritual Center. Ahh...what an affirmation that the mandala outpictured the gift I was receiving from him... "spiritual insight"! To read more of my story about this mandala and this insight click here.

Inspiration: Anne Frank

"How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world." ~Anne Frank

This warms my heart and makes me smile...for I know this is the truth. When we improve ourselves... our home, our body, our consciousness..our world; the Ripple Effect of that makes the world a better place.

It reminds me of one of my favorite songs...that improves the way I feel whenever I sing it, or hum it.. "Let there be Peace on Earth...and let it begin with me."

Have a wonder-filled week!

Creatvity Prompt: "Explore a Practice"

Making mandalas is a practice for me... as is: journaling, blogging, SoulCollage® as well as making jewelry. They are all practices that stir up creative bliss and fulfilment in me; especially while I'm listening to instrumental music, scored for the ocassion. Sharing these kinds of ideas with kindred-others is also a practice which is satisfies my soul...and we do a lot of that at the Mandala Oasis Yahoo! Community.

The website, Spirituality & Practice, has an entire section called "Explore a Practice" at their right-hand sidebar. There are lots of subjects that could very well resonate with where you are currently on your journey thorugh life. One of them might even inspire a creating a mandala, or an inner-shift you've been wanting. Recently I realized that more and more, the mandalas I've made have been a - "storyboarding of wisdom" - guiding me to a new awareness... and prompting me to take heed. - I love that about this intuitive creativity that always steers me to where I need be, what I need to do..or not do.

If you do decide to partake of one of the practices, or tell us about an exisiting one...you are invited to share it with us at our very kindred online community, The Mandala Oasis. which you can link to at the top of this site, or at the link within this post.
Abundant blessings to you...
~Cheryl

Click here for the Spirituality & Practice website.

Note: All purple text is a linkable

"Blooming Butterfly"

I smile when I look at this...thinking...

Surely, this is what a butterfly looks like

when it lies on it's back...right?

With wings open wide to the sky...

...its heart would surely be a fragrant flower...

radiating....

blooming...

and humming

like a honey bee...

or the purr of a kitty.

I realize that I too...am blooming...

awakening...and being refreshened.

I am experiencing a renaissance.

My heart and I are

blooming...

like the butterfly...

and for that, I am deeply grateful.

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"The butterfly is a flying flower, the flower a tethered butterfly." ~Ponce Denis Écouchard Lebrun

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"Butterflies are self propelled flowers." ~R.H. Heinlein

"Chrysanthemum"

This series of mandals is dedicated my cyber-pal, Leah, and her Creative Every Day Project which keeps us mindful to be and live from our innate creativity..every day.

This is the fourth mandala created from the center - and this way of creating them does have a centering affect. I feel like it's getting me ready on the inside so I can do what I need to do on the outside. It's like Mandala Yoga, which we talked about this week at the Mandala Oasis Yahoo Community. It's amazing. I feel that by making the mandala in this way it has created an internal shift within me...and I like it. I'll continue to experiment with this method to see the effects it has on me.

And...I was curious about the chrysanthemum history and symbolism. And...what I found out after making this mandala is uncanny! For example..it's the official flower of the city of Chicago...where I reside; and that "chrys" means golden which was its original color...and I made mine golden yellow. This mandala is also a portal to that calm center inside of me...and I will continue meditate on it. What a gift this chrysanthemum mandala is!

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Note...the purple text...is a link...