Sunìstemi

1. Sunìstemi Threshold Network Groups 2012 Day 1 – Individual Interest & Passion Exploration

2. man·da·la • Noun • Oriental Art. A schematized representation of the cosmos, chiefly characterized by a concentric configuration of shapes, each of which contains an image of a deity or an attribute of a deity. • (in Jungian psychology) a symbol representing the effort to reunify the self. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/mandala?s=t

3. History • “mandala” comes from Sanskrit word meaning (loosely) “circle” • Similar artwork found across multiple cultures and religions • Buddhism – used for meditation • Christian – Hildegard von Bingen, Christian nun in 12th century, used mandalas to express beliefs • Aztecs – created sand mandalas and medicine wheels – both a time keeping and religious symbol • Navajo Indians & Tibetan Monks – create sand mandalas to show the impermanence of life http://www.mandalaproject.org/what/index.html

4. http://dailyheadlines.uark.edu/9548.htm

5. http://www.celestial-art.net/mandalas.htm

6. Visit http://www.mandalaproject.org/what/index.html for hundreds of examples of mandalas created across all cultures and religious beliefs

7. Complete these eight blanks… • I am ______________, ________________, and ______________. • I am unique because ________________. • I enjoy _______________. • I wish that __________________. • In the future I will ________________. • The most important thing to me is ________.

8. Mandala Creation • In each of the eight blanks around the outside of your mandala, draw a visual representation of your eight words. • In the center, combine your eight words into one visual synopsis • Once finished, create a written “artist’s statement” about your completed mandala