Pics from the Flower Mandala Meditation at Birchwood Center Nyack, NY

      Last Friday night at Birchwood Center of Yoga and Massage's Yoga Study Circle we experienced how making a mandala out of flower petals, leaves and stems can be a beautiful and transformative meditation experience. During our special class we discussed the meaning of mandalas, learned about their Hindu/Buddhist origins and how mandalas can be found throughout history such as in the stain glass rose windows at The Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City and at Notre Dame in Paris. We noted how today it's in vogue to see mandalas as you scroll through Instagram, Pinterest and in coloring books found at the supermarket checkout stands.

       Here are a few pictures from our meditative evening. Pre event I created a circular rose petal mandala for us to sit around for our mandala discussion and intention setting. After a group conversation about mandalas that expanded my consciousness, I led us through a few grounding exercises to settle into our meditation followed by collecting our flowers, silently finding floor space and creating our own mandalas.

       Once completed we appreciated our creations, some of us took pictures of them and then we individually swept the mandalas up to experience impermanence. Everyone got a bag to take their flower mandala home to discard as they wish.

        I will offer this special event again at www.birchwoodcenter.com in Nyack, New York in the Fall. Next time we will include a silent mindfulness meditation walk to the Hudson River which is only a block away. Here we will do the let go of our mandalas into the river together so the good vibes of our positive intentions can keep moving.