The Art of Connection

The MS Society of India is creating stunning ‘Mandalas’ in celebration of World MS Day.

Self-care and healthy living is an important angle of the MS Connections campaign. The MS Society of India (MSSI) is creating beautiful Mandalas in celebration of World MS Day. Mandalas are circular geometric patterns that hold great symbolism in various spiritual traditions. Colouring these intricate designs can help to reduce anxiety and stress. Read on to see how MSSI is using mindfulness in the context of COVID-19.  

Let’s connect our hearts through art…

‘Mandala’ in Sanskrit, means circle. Mandalas are sacred circles used in the practice of meditation. Their infinite designs represent wholeness and a deep connection with all things. 

The simple act of colouring a mandala can be used to relieve stress and anxiety. People who colour Mandalas often report experiencing a deep sense of calm and well-being. Mandala colouring combines creativity and focus. It can have a calming influence on adults and children alike. 

MSSI have created World MS Day mandala templates for the global MS community. Check out the templates below and follow these guidelines to get started:

GUIDELINES 

• Choose a quiet place that feels safe and relaxing. 
• If you like, play some soothing music.
• Focus on the centre point in the template and begin to colour slowly, moving towards the outer ends, feeling each stroke and absorbing the process. 
• You could use pencils, colour pens, colour pencils, crayons, sketch pens or paints. If you prefer, you could also use paint apps on your phones/laptops (you may find this better if you experience stiffness or issues with hand movement)
• Colour in whatever way feels right for you – you can even try different colour groupings. Warm colours like red, orange, yellow, and brown fit well together. Cool colours like blue, green, pink, and purple complement each other. You could even go for a more neutral look, using black, white, and grey.
• You can colour alone or with the help of a caregiver. This is also a great exercise to try with children. 
• Be proud – frame your work or even print it as a T-shirt or laptop cover. Display your piece in a place where you can look at it and remind yourself of the process of being mindful and present in the moment. 

You can save and use the Mandala templates below.

This article was created with the help of Mamta Gupta at MSSI. Mandala artists are Indira Sushil Kumar and Namita Garg.