Book Review of Mandala Workbook for Inner Self - discovery by Anneke Huyser- 2/1/15

I had read about mandala drawing as a substitute for meditation and in my initial attempts at meditation dealt with a very active mind.
I doubted my ability to meditate and imagined it would be a bit dull . But after trying a few guided meditation sessions, I was pleasantly surprised by my mind's ability and willingness to let go of continuous chatter and found it very invigorating. The calm energy provided by guiding voice was the helpful tool.
For those who want to add variety to your meditation, drawing mandalas can be a good alternative.
In order to have a sustained practise of any new routine, be it new health supplements or fitness regime,  for me knowing the mechanics of how and why it works feeds in the habit. For that reason, I bought the Mandala workbook by Anneke Huyser.

Anneke made her first mandala in the form of an embroidery piece and 15 years since her first one, has seen her work reflect the changes in her life-including a divorce,  moves, marriage, birth,  death and changing jobs.
Through her business of running a bookstore in the Netherlands,  she has read and researched the history background and symbols in the mandalas.
This book offers tools for beginner mandala enthusiasts by touching on approaches dealing with reflective and creative processes. Different techniques and examples are suggested for different abilities and interests.
There is a section on Symbols in Mandalas mainly of the Tibetan mandalas and I am hoping to appreciate the  next traditional Tibetan mandala I see geared with my new found interpretation of the symbols and colour.
My doodle mandalas are  black and white with mostly geometric patterns in organic shapes of leaves or petals. It has not enabled me to interpret my work yet.
The last few pages provide relaxation and visualisation exercises with the Mandala which I am going to try. The book encourages the reader to enjoy the journey while making your own mandala, observing your state of mind and release of emotions and not necessarily aim for a pretty picture. Accepting any hiccups in the process is empowering.
Overall I think the book is a good introduction to Mandalas for beginners and presents a good cultural and creative context. There are several examples of mandalas made by the author which will encourage most readers to start. I personally enjoy a visual feast of images and would have loved to see more variety in styles from different artists but I suppose the author wanted to focus more on the journey than overwhelm readers with final outcome.
If like me you need visual references,  there are plenty in pinterest to get your creative juices moving.
For my interests in Mandalas and its effects on healing, on states of mind, on introducing new habits and changing unwanted ones through mandala meditation,  when we access our subconscious mind,  I would like to read The Art of Mandala Meditation by Michal Beaucaire, next.
Hope this review helped.
Bye for now