It's that time again--our third annual Summer Tangles Challenge!
This year, I think we need some solace so we're focusing on comfort tangles for challenging times. Simply take a look at the list, choose any tangles, create a tile with that tangle and others--and then share it at #summertangles2020. If you don't see one of your favorite tangles, do it instead. It's meant to be easy, enjoyable, and encouraging. I'll be posting my tiles on Instagram @yankeetangler as well as on FB: https://www.facebook.com/summertangleschallenge
Zentangle™ as Spiritual Practice: A Drawing Meditation
Jamie W. Johnson, Ph.D., CZT
Overview
Zentangle™is a fun and easy-to-use technique to create beautiful patterns with a focus on staying in the moment and mindfulness. In this particular lesson, you will quickly learn how to create an image using repetitive patterns around a word, phrase or symbol that is meaningful to you. While there are a plethora of fine art supplies available, I have suggested basic supplies to stress that you can practice this anywhere—all you need is pen and paper.
In Zentangle™practice, we say there are “no mistakes.” This is not about creating a perfect product but about how you feel while you draw, which is why I emphasize that it is a “practice.” Adults often say they are not artists, but anyone can learn Zentangle™. The prescribed 8-step process is designed by Zentangle™ founders Maria Thomas and Rick Roberts to help overcome artistic self-doubt. We also say, “Anything is possible one step at a time.” Follow the steps below and you will have a valuable experience with a final product at the end.
This particular lesson has been adapted from the original Zentangle™ method in order to accentuate the spiritual contemplation of the participant. In an unpublished research project, I found that 99% of survey respondents describe their Zentangle™ practice as improving their emotional well-being, while more than half specifically defined it as a spiritual practice.[1] As chaplains, spiritual caregivers, and mental health professionals understand, self-care is important in building resilience and coping with difficult events such as grief, loss, and trauma. Hopefully, this practice will become part of your spiritual self-care toolkit.
Gratitude and appreciation: Gather your supplies. Take a moment of stillness and quiet before beginning. Breathe in, breathe out. Say a prayer or give thanks before beginning.
Corner dots: With your pencil, on your piece of paper, put one dot in each corner to make a square large enough to write and draw in. This will be your practice space.
Border: With your pencil, connect those dots lightly. The line does not need to be straight. While we call this the border, you do not need to stay in the lines!
String: Now with your pen, in the middle of your square, write a word (love, hope, joy, or even a short phrase or verse) or draw an image (heart, peace sign, star, cross, etc.), or combine the two. If you include words, you might want to outline the whole shape of the text. You can also subdivide the remaining space, with your pencil, to make smaller spaces to fill.
Tangle: Now add your patterns! A pattern (or tangle) is a series of repetitive steps drawn to create a beautiful design.
Shade: Add pencil shading to create patterns of light and dark. This does not need to create a sense of a single light source but is just another kind of pattern. Remember, you must leave some parts light to accentuate the dark shades.
Initial and date: You can even create a special symbol or signature for all of your drawings.
Appreciate: Look at what you’ve created! Give thanks for this time of meditation and creativity.
A treasure trove of tangle patterns with instructions (“step-outs”): tanglepatterns.com
Google “Zentangle”—there are a multitude of resources on YouTube, Pinterest, and personal websites. “CZT” indicates that a person has received trainings and certification from the Zentangle™ founders
About Me
I am a Certified Zentangle™ Teacher (CZT) who practices and teaches in Connecticut under the name “Yankee Tangler.” I also hold a Ph.D. in art history and spent a decade creating and overseeing education programs in art museums. Now, as a student in the Masters of Divinity program at Hartford Seminary, I am journeying to become a hospice chaplain. As a Unitarian Universalist, I believe each person explores their own spiritual path of growth. Zentangle™ practice has been one of mine.
