Talking about mandalas with little ones and rediscovering, through their stories, how important this game is for their development. Psychologist Daniela Respini and journalist Gaspare Urso recently published a book about this experience. The book, titled “The mandala in the child's universe”, Hermes Edizioni, is a journey to discover the mandala technique. A project that tells the story of their involvement with children and the remarkable results achieved. We asked the two authors to tell us about this experience.The final part of the book – explains the journalist Urso – collects the stories of two children who explain their experience and the path of rebirth through the mandala".
How was this book born?
"This book," says Respini, "was born from children's desire to share their stories. For over twenty years, I have been leading psychoeducational workshops on emotional intelligence for children, adolescents, and adults. I had already written about my experience of using the mandala in the helping relationship, on that occasion I had narrated the experience of cancer patients who had integrated it into their treatment path.On that occasion, I had already illustrated the beneficial effects of using the mandala on the inner state of those to whom it was proposed. And precisely because children were to be the protagonists in the writing of the book, I wanted Gaspare to be present, who, as a journalist, invited the children to tell their stories."
How important is the mandala for children?
"The mandala," adds the psychologist, "appears to be a game; it features circular geometric shapes that children are invited to color. By coloring, children learn to unleash their creativity and increase their concentration. It helps children recognize dysfunctional thoughts that subsequently trigger painful symptoms." The most important aspect is that the child, always according to an apparently playful methodology, learn introspection, approaches the meditation acquiring a mindfulness-oriented lifestyle.
By coloring, children relax, focusing their attention on colors and images, slowing the flow of their thoughts and more painful emotions, regaining balance and stability. Color and shapes guide their inner journey. The repetitive activity of coloring is a meditative act, the child immerses himself in the colors and shapes leaving away the anxiety and anguish generated from the crisis situation, it is also a moment that helps him develop and strengthen his resilience.
Working with mandalas:
It fosters a willingness to listen and learn; it improves self-esteem, develops patience, one learns to manage boundaries and limits, develops creativity, strengthens attention, and one experiences silence as a creative moment and not as a moment of boredom.
Can we also think about projects for schools?
"Certainly its educational aspect," Respini explains, "lies in teaching children to seek out moments of calm and relaxation. And at the same time, encouraging them to work on strengthening their ability to concentrate. Coloring the mandala trains the child's mind to create moments of calm but also to have a strong mental presenceThe child becomes aware of what it means to do things calmly. He becomes aware of the pleasure and sense of satisfaction that comes from completing the coloring.
In the book, I report on some projects that were carried out at school. The book is aimed primarily at educators; it reports on experiences gained in schools regarding emotional education. As well as experiences to increase attention and concentration. She also talks about an experience at school with first- and second-grade children on children's rights. I've detailed the project's various phases, from planning to implementation; it could be useful to teachers because it captures their experience. And to further validate the tool's usefulness, I wanted to include the testimonies of two children who have participated in my workshop for years. I did so by making the children the protagonists through an interview conducted by Gaspare.
In a time when we talk about rebirth, what therapeutic role does the mandala have for adults too?
“We are living in a moment of spiritual confusion resulting from the precarious condition that the pandemic It makes us live – explains the psychologist –. The individual has a profound need to rediscover the meaning and determination to start over. And he necessarily needs to get in touch with his determination, his strength to pick up where he left off more than a year ago. For this to happen, he needs to clear his mind. He must free himself from the anguish and sense of vulnerability the pandemic has caused. Using mandala meditation alongside traditional psychological therapies can lead to healing.
The mandala presents itself as a journey within our inner self. And at the same time, it can demonstrate how energies and methodologies are ultimately closely intertwined. I find introspective work with mandalas very relevant for adults, as it is inspired by the principles of mindfulness. We abandon judgment, ask ourselves to remain focused on our breathing and let go of intrusive thoughts that cross our mind. The goal is to benefit from the moment we are living, moment by moment. In this way, we learn to appreciate every small experience. Meditation focused on the mandala can lead to a harmonization of our personality.
The book sheet
A text that introduces even the youngest children to the art of mandala therapy. Composing or coloring a circle—this is a mandala, a relaxation technique and a means of achieving personal harmony, especially excellent for alleviating anxiety, both in the therapeutic field and as a form of meditation. Transformed into a playful activity, it has such extraordinary benefits on children's physical and mental well-being that it has prompted the author to deepen her knowledge of mandala therapy in the field of child psychology. The book explains the historical, theoretical, and, above all, practical foundations of mandala therapy, the author's personal experience with children and adolescents, and includes interviews with the young participants in her workshops. It contains 22 mandalas to color.
