A few weekends ago I was invited to co-facilitate a workshop for female leaders in tech. We used creativity and the creation of a group Mandala to explore boundaries.
It’s interesting how the fusion between right brain creativity and left brain logic can work well when exploring our roles, relationships and interactions with others.
A Mandala meaning…
A Mandala is a symbol of the universe in its ideal form, and its creation signifies the transformation of a universe of suffering into one of joy. It can also be used as an aid to meditation, helping the meditator to envision how to achieve the perfect self.
In Hindu and Buddhist Tantrism it can be used as a meditation, the creation and destruction of Mandalas in the sand symbolises the impermanence of life. In Jung’s psychological theory it is used by the conscious self to integrate the subconscious.
Background
Over the years I have used Mandalas in my personal art journals as well as in creative art journaling workshops. As part of an APCCA conference in 2023 as a participant I took part in the creation of a group Mandala and it has been something that I have wanted to explore as a facilitator since this time.
I have been providing creative reflective workshops for The Coder’s Guild as part of a programme to support and encourage more female leaders in tech. The group had already had a workshop in September and engaged well with the creative material – they had formed strong bonds and the Mandala felt like an ideal opportunity to deep dive into the theme of boundaries.
Alongside this work, I am also studying on the Certificate in Therapeutic use of Person Centred Creative Arts (APCCA), and through the support and guidance of one of the tutors was able to develop an activity for the leadership workshops.
What we did
After a morning spent discussing power and privilege we introduced the Mandala after lunch (that post lunch dip – I may have ‘fuelled’ the group by recommending they have some of the baking that had been provided by Emma). We then introduced the meaning and symbolism of the Mandala and invited the group to mark make. I suggested the benefits of working in silence (this helps tap into the subconscious), but ultimately it was up to them.
What happened
A immediately said “I’ve always wanted to create a Mandala!!” And the enthusiasm spread among the group.
The group ‘ebbed and flowed’, moving around the table, pulsating. Some stepping forward as others stepped back. They ‘criss-crossed’ over each other, navigating the boundaries of the physical circle through their drawings on the paper, whilst navigating their own personal space.
Paints, chalks, pens and pencils were picked up – lines drawn, swirls, spirals, scribbles. Some moved around the circle, spreading their patterns around the edge of the circle, others stayed in one place, ‘their’ place? There were no rules to the creation of this Mandala but through the process the unspoken rules at times felt like they were being written. There were also moments of pause and reflection within the busy movement, with some of the participants simply stopping and observing, as others stepped forwards. The group chose to work in silence, but so much was said, or suggested or interpreted by the actions and inactions in the room.
I don’t think that I would have realised the power of the creation of a Mandala if I hadn’t witnessed it, there was an energy and a gentle ‘bubbling’ away, a crucible of sorts…
The patterns weaved and layered, enhanced and grew. The bubbling eventually simmered. There were then intermittent sparks before much longer pauses. An invitation to reflect – was there anything else to add?
“I drew that infinity sign but it doesn’t feel right, I feel like there should be more…” someone said.
“More, it needs more”, said someone else.
Another pause. A point of exploration – how did it feel what did you notice?
“Seeing you with the paints in one hand and paintbrush in another, confidently moving around the space, gave me confidence too, I picked up the paintbrush and emulated you!”
“I noticed the marks I made were enhanced by others.”
“I purposefully moved around the circle making marks, my pattern at regular intervals.”, “I saw you do that and moved into your space.”
“I thought you did that for me” The ‘criss-crossing’ of space.
“At one point I stood and everyone else sat behind me, I stood up, moved around the circle and it seemed to release/ free others – they stood up and moved.”
The ‘ebb and flow’ and power of body language. The things left unspoken. Pause. Reflection. Looking.
Christina moved around the group – some standing, some sitting, and placed a pair of scissors in each hand*. No comment, no instructions.
Eyes moved between the group. At us. At the Mandala. At the scissors. Some mutterings of ‘no’. We watched.
The lifting of heads, of eyes, glancing across the room. Quizzical looks. Then someone jumped up “well it needs to be done – I’ll do it!”
*I’m not sure if this was really the APCCA/ person centred way? Was it suggestive?
Cuts were made into the Mandala, cries of “I don’t give a shit” and more “it’s a job that needs doing”. Laughter and shrieks around the rest of the group. Then a frenzy as other scissors joined – pieces pulled into the air and taken.
“I’m taking my beautiful peace… a peacock!”
“What does ‘peacock’ mean to you?” I asked.
“Strength, beauty, exotic beauty!” came the reply.
Then came the modelling, the modelling of paper chains, the modelling of a flower, then came the vase and the gifting of the flower – the singing of ‘happy birthday!’
A movement through circle, Mandala, boundaries, movement, mark making, painting, pastels, cutting, modelling, remodelling, singing.
Often in my sessions I hear a lot of people comment on how they are ‘not creative’ or ‘not arty’, and I think it’s a shame that as a society we have viewed art as something to be ‘good at’ rather than something that is simply done.
This session showed me that taking creativity into a corporate setting can unlock discussions and conversations in a way that Powerpoint and Flipchart simply can’t – it reduces inhibitions and builds confidence and I hope makes for a memorable experience that participants can then take into their own leadership.
I’d love to hear from you
If you have any questions, or are curious about similar workshops, please get in touch.
You can email me at mail@sallygolightly.co.uk