Coloring Mandalas 1

Coloring Mandalas 1
By Susanne F. Fincher

Drawing the traditional circular designs known as mandalas is a meditative practice, a healing exercise in times of crisis, and a pleasurable act of creativity. As a symbol of the Self, the mandala provides a connection to our innermost being. The forty-eight drawings presented here for coloring include designs inspired by forms of nature, Native American and Tibetan sand paintings, Hindu yantras, Turkish mosaics, the illuminations of Hildegarde of Bingen, and the art of M.C. Escher. These mandalas are organized according to the Great Round of Mandala, a scheme of twelve archetypal stages that represents a complete cycle of personal growth. Thus, to do the coloring book from start to finish will carry the reader through a balanced experience of change, guided by the accompanying text.

Customer Reviews

this is awesome
i am having lots of fun with this. you get to be really creative and it comes in a spiral book so you dont bend the pages while coloring…10+

Get Coloring Mandalas 2 instead
As I received both Coloring Mandalas Volume 1 and Volume 2 as gifts to help me during recovery post surgery, Coloring Mandalas 2 is a MUCH better book than this volume. The mandalas in volume 1 (this one) are not as complex or meaningful as the ones I prefer in volume 2. The mandalas in volume 1 are much more simplistic in design and suited toward the younger coloring book crowd – even the ages 4-8 category – than those in the other book. So as an adult, this is not the coloring mandala book for you unless you prefer less detail.

Not as relaxing as most.
After coloring hundreds of mandalas I found this book to be less calming or relaxing. I’m not a fan of mandalas that contain eyes, angles, demons, etc. within the designs, so this was not my favorte mandala coloring book. It makes me hesitate to purchase Ms. Fincher’s other mandala coloring books.

Coloring Mandalas 2

Coloring Mandalas 2
By Susanne F. Fincher

Coloring the circular designs known as mandalas is a creative activity that brings relaxation, healing, and self-understanding. Susanne Fincher’s first such coloring book, Coloring Mandalas, presented designs organized according to a scheme of twelve archetypal stages that represents a cycle of personal growth. This sequel focuses on a single one of these stages, “Crystallization,” which is associated with the completion of a cycle of growth. Imagine a fully opened rose in a sunny garden, releasing its fragrance as it gently bobs in a summer breeze. This is the feeling of the stage of Crystallization—a time of reaping rewards and benefits from the work we have performed; of realizing and appreciating our achievements; of resting in the pleasure of having fulfilled a personal creative inspiration. Crystallization is also a time of significant spiritual understanding, when our spiritual nature comes together in harmony with our physical nature. The mandalas in this book aim to: Help us understand ourselves and our place in the scheme of things Evoke a sense of harmony, order, and fulfillment Provide relaxation and a soothing balance for hectic lifestyles Uncover meaning in the ongoing stream of human experience Deepen our meditation Enable us to experience the spiritual energy that inspired these sacred circles

Customer Reviews

Trance coloring…
I am really into geometrical and prism designs…they have an unspoken pull on me…the main challange for me when I color them is to balance somehow the color hues and tones with the geometrical segments of the design…so in the end to be able to get something stunning…the main drawback is when I let myself think too much about what goes with what…I like complex designs, they are more challanging…I use this hobby as a form of active yoga meditation(shutting off my mind while I focus on the design)…all in all, this coloring hobby is the simplest and effective way of gradually developing an inner sense of order, harmony and discipline…

Quality Product in Many Ways!
Recovering from back surgery, I knew my artistic mind needed a more relaxing, yet retain a stimulating art media to keep my interest. This book does it! Mandalas do have spiritual or rather meditative foci that can help increase healthy thinking as one heals, but the FUN I have had using my professional color pencils, watercolor pencils and a bit of charcoal, chalk, and pastels on the quality paper in this book have really taken my mind off my pain. The mandala images are all on one side of the paper throughout the book, so no bleed through and as I mentioned, the paper quality is not cheap newsprint common of other coloring books. Since getting this book (and a few others!!), I have recommended them to several family members and now they are checking out this great way to relax and use their right “side of the brain” in more ways than one. One additional component of this book are the several pages of blank circles at the book’s end where YOU can design your own meaningful mandalas…something many self-help instructors and counselors encourage people to do.

This book is definitely worth every penny and is one of the best of the adult coloring books available. I also wish retirement centers would provide this type of quality art books for residents to provide healthy mind stimulation and possible growth and/or mainttenance.

Makes My Mind “Go Away”
Though I’ve just begun using it, I bought the Mandala Coloring Book to aid me in relaxation after hectic days and before bed. It is intriguing, to say the least. While coloring the intricate designs, I’m not able to think of much else, making it easier to wind down and “turn off” my head.