PAST EVENTS
Below are some of the public mandala events I've facilitated in the community. Always different, always amazing how people are drawn to the circle and intuitively know how they want to participate.
Festival of Love, June 21, 2014
It was a cloudy day. I wasn't feeling well. But the organizers promised to help, so I reluctantly took a carload of materials to San Lorenzo Park. When I arrived there were only a few park regulars and a bunch of hopeful volunteers at the park. But there was music, and free food, and pretty soon people started gathering. When people came over to look, I invited them to place an item in the mandala. This is what happened.
By the end of the day, this magnificent mandala had evolved and dozens of people had participated. Many smiles and curious gazes were generated. A few
people said they were deeply inspired to do their own mandalas. Connections were made in hearts and minds. I was SO HAPPY to be a part of this day.
Thank you all! (And special thanks to the team of lovely ladies who helped take it down!)
By the end of the day, this magnificent mandala had evolved and dozens of people had participated. Many smiles and curious gazes were generated. A few
people said they were deeply inspired to do their own mandalas. Connections were made in hearts and minds. I was SO HAPPY to be a part of this day.
Thank you all! (And special thanks to the team of lovely ladies who helped take it down!)
MARKET DAY MANDALA
Wednesday April 18, 2-4 pm Santa Cruz Farmer's Market
OMG, this was SO FUN!! The Market Moppets completely got into it, as did quite a few larger people. Thank you to every single person who placed a flower, bean, strawberry, rock, or anything else. It was awesome!
Wish I had gotten people's permission to post their pictures! It was great how dozens of marketgoers came round and participated! See it come together:
Wish I had gotten people's permission to post their pictures! It was great how dozens of marketgoers came round and participated! See it come together:
SPECIAL EARTH DAY MANDALA CELEBRATION
Saturday April 21, 1-4 pm San Lorenzo Park, Santa Cruz
The Earth herself took center stage for this lovely mandala of flowers, stones, shells, and other gifts from the Mother. Many people participated by placing items in the circle. When we started we were in the shade, but as the Earth turned, the sun cleared the trees and flooded the mandala with Light.
People might get the impression from these public collaborations that the mandala process is arbitrary, or even chaotic. But each placement, however casual, reflects the often-unconscious intentions of the participant, and contributes to an integrated whole that expresses the community dynamic at that moment. For those who are drawn to this practice, this process can be a very focused and intense meditation. One small boy, face painted like a pirate, lingered for a long time, with deep concentration, arranging item after item to his satisfaction. Dad had a hard time convincing him it was time to go. I was thinking, I know how that boy feels. That's the way I feel about the mandala.
Thanks to everyone who helped with the set-up and clean-up. It really was a collaborative effort!
People might get the impression from these public collaborations that the mandala process is arbitrary, or even chaotic. But each placement, however casual, reflects the often-unconscious intentions of the participant, and contributes to an integrated whole that expresses the community dynamic at that moment. For those who are drawn to this practice, this process can be a very focused and intense meditation. One small boy, face painted like a pirate, lingered for a long time, with deep concentration, arranging item after item to his satisfaction. Dad had a hard time convincing him it was time to go. I was thinking, I know how that boy feels. That's the way I feel about the mandala.
Thanks to everyone who helped with the set-up and clean-up. It really was a collaborative effort!
REJUVENATION FESTIVAL
Saturday May 19, 9am - 3 pm San Lorenzo Park, Santa Cruz
I had a notion that this time I was bringing 'adult' material and wanted to attract more adults to the mandala. Then the festival coordinators directed me to set up in the kids area! Bummer!
I set up the canopy and started the circle, but no one, no adults OR children, were coming round. So I just started building, reminding myself that I do this because I love doing mandalas, so I might as well enjoy the process.
Suddenly about half a dozen kids appeared and asked me what I was doing. Before I could even explain, they were going at it. The kids really liked the shiney copper bowl in the middle, it gave the whole mandala a special vibrancy. The inner circle came together in about ten minutes, and it was beautiful! This went on all day. Each time I thought the mandala was done and started to fold up shop, someone would stop by and start a whole new cycle. I was rejuvenated!
Special thanks to a delightful young woman named Maya who appeared out of nowhere to help me take it down at the end of a long, exhausting, but rewarding day. And to Billy for spelling me at lunchtime. I really loved being in the kids section, with the puppet show and the wild animal exhibit, and the sound of children playing all day long. Nice!
Please email me if you took pictures of the mandala - I would love to include them.
I set up the canopy and started the circle, but no one, no adults OR children, were coming round. So I just started building, reminding myself that I do this because I love doing mandalas, so I might as well enjoy the process.
Suddenly about half a dozen kids appeared and asked me what I was doing. Before I could even explain, they were going at it. The kids really liked the shiney copper bowl in the middle, it gave the whole mandala a special vibrancy. The inner circle came together in about ten minutes, and it was beautiful! This went on all day. Each time I thought the mandala was done and started to fold up shop, someone would stop by and start a whole new cycle. I was rejuvenated!
Special thanks to a delightful young woman named Maya who appeared out of nowhere to help me take it down at the end of a long, exhausting, but rewarding day. And to Billy for spelling me at lunchtime. I really loved being in the kids section, with the puppet show and the wild animal exhibit, and the sound of children playing all day long. Nice!
Please email me if you took pictures of the mandala - I would love to include them.