Mandalas

Circles can be found in many structures of life: the moon, the Earth’s orbit around the sun, a fruit, a flower, etc. A circle represents wholeness and unity, and therefore, is sacred in many cultures. The word “mandala” comes from the Indian language of Sanskrit, and loosely means “circle.” Here are a few examples of circles have spiritual or ritual significance:

- Tibetan monks and the Navajo create sand mandalas to demonstrate the impermanence of life.

- The creation of mandalas are often used for focusing attention and to aid in meditation.

- Labyrinths are a type of mandala used for “centering” in many cultures.

- The architecture of cathedrals, mosques, and stupas are also built around a center with domes or circular designs.

I’ve become very fascinated with Mandalas over the last several months. I’ve started using them with my students to help focus attention, meditate or reflect, and they are great for self-discovery! Coloring in a mandala pattern or creating your own has a calming effect, so it is great for people with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or even anxiety or people with Emotional Disorders, I believe. I have also tried creating my own mandalas during meetings to help me to pay attention better. Researchers have found that people who doodle during lectures (only when information is given orally!) are able to gain more information.

I also agree that mandalas can be great for self-discovery and as I start to create more I see them change over time. Carl Jung, a psychoanalyst, believed that the mandala represented the unconscious self. Many people believe that when a person draws a circle inside a square, it represents the self.

I cannot show any of my own pictures yet, because mandalas will be a theme in my Christmas presents this year! I hope to start creating some for my Etsy site very soon. However, here are some examples and some coloring pages you can print out to get you or your young friends started, until you are comfortable making your own.

Tibetan Mandala:

Sand Mandala:

Labyrinth:

Mosque dome:

Theater, Education and Liberation

For those of you interested, the Goodman is hosting a hands-on introduction to Augusto Boal's Theater of the Oppressed and the complementary critical pedagogy of Paulo Freire on Saturday, December 5. Email education@goodmantheatre.org to register by Dec. 3. Unfortunately, I will be out of town that weekend, so let me know how it is, if anyone goes!

Teachers for Social Justice

Ok, I am totally energized! I attended the 9th annual Teachers for Social Justice (TSJ) curriculum fair this weekend and it keeps getting better every year! They had so many more workshops, exhibitors, and resource tables than ever before. This year TSJ members made some awesome t-shirts, so, of course, I had to get one. I also had to buy a beautiful necklace from Maya Essence. But most importantly, I met and networked with some amazing teachers and activists!

I attended an excellent workshop in the morning, titled "Exploring the Roots of Youth Violence: Curriculum Development Project." The Chicago Freedom School, Project NIA, TSJ, and Chicago Youth Igniting Change are partnering to develop a youth-led action research curriculum guide! The workshop was packed with a diverse group of youth allies who were interested in the deeper questions about the root causes of youth violence; how the economy, racism, justice system, etc. intersect with youth violence; what the link is between power and violence, and so on. The workshop participants had some great questions and ideas to add to this curriculum, and I am also hoping to get involved, and will send them my "Clothesline Project" that my students did a couple of years ago. The curriculum guide is scheduled to be ready in February and there will be grants for anyone who is interested in implementing the curriculum...and you can bet that I am going to be applying! :)

Peru Pics

So, I've never taken a photography class in my life, but I think it is incredibly fun to look out for neat "shots" and pretend like I know what I'm doing as I'm squatting, arched over, and balancing on one leg.... I am especially inspired by fall leaves, bold colors, streaming sunlight, and cool structures (bridges, stairs, etc). Of course, it doesn't hurt to just have amazingly beautiful sites, which you can find all over Peru!

Cuzco Lights

Morning sun at Machu Picchu

Tree at Machu Picchu

Dad taking pic

Red plant at Machu Picchu

Door at a mansion outside of Arequipa

Diving condor in Colca Canyon

Men's Necklaces

My husband (Usman) has been very encouraging of me making and selling my jewelry and even set up my Etsy site for me! For the last few months he's been asking when I am going to make him a necklace, so, I finally did. He likes it, or so he says! ;) So, I think I will start making some men's/unisex jewelry - stay tuned!

Baby Shower Gift

I went to a baby shower for a co-worker this weekend and she didn't have much on her registry - just the basics. So, I decided to be creative and make something that would go with her theme (yes, I know that zebras and giraffes do not go with palm trees but that is the print on the blankets and baby items!!). Luckily, she had an open space in the nursery that she didn't know what to do with and was about to just buy a mirror - perfect! I left space for photos, once the baby is born!

I drew the pictures, cut them out with an exacto knife, and found some printed paper for the background....

Pressed Flowers

When I was young, I loved to walk around our house clipping my mom's beautiful flowers for my flower press. I would lay the flowers out between pieces of paper and cardboard and screw my press together tight...and then impatiently wait for 2 weeks to see the magical creations. Sometimes they turned out great, other times they were a little moldy or brown. Now, my press is packed in some random box at my parent's house. I hadn't used or even thought of my press in years until my parents sent me a birthday package this summer. There were a few art/crafting books and a microwavable flower press!! No more waiting! I went slow this first time, so it took a little longer than it should, but I didn't burn any flowers and I could press them and make a card in the same day!

I spritzed the cloth with a little bit of water, put the flowers and leaves in the press, and microwaved them for not more than 30 seconds at a time (so you don't burn them).

Between each heating, I opened the press to let the hot air out, which aids in the drying process. I repeated this process (in shorter episodes as the flowers were closer to being pressed) until they petals and leaves felt like paper and could not be bent without breaking off.

I decided to make a birthday card with one of the flowers. I used tweezers to handle it because of it's delicate nature now. The flower is stiff and does not droop when picked up.

I used Elemer's glue to secure it to the paper and then added a little note!...