What Is Mindful Tracing Art
Mindful Tracing Art is, quite simply, art that you trace. It’s very easy. Choose a design, pick up something that points – like a capped pen or a coffee stir – pick a place on the design, and just start tracing. You are not trying to copy the design. You are not trying to color it in. You are simply following along the twisting path.
Tracing focuses your hand-to-eye coordination. This helps center your thoughts and calm your mind. Why? Because you must focus on what you are doing, but – and this is important – you are not trying to create anything or solve a puzzle. You are just following the design. When you stop engaging your analytical skills, your mind moves from active, expressive thought into passive, receptive thought. This is called relaxed awareness.
Here is another calming thing you can do when tracing, but not when coloring – SWITCH HANDS. Really, try it. It’s much easier than you suppose and working with the non-dominant hand truly focuses your mind because you must concentrate intently on what you are doing.
When you focus, you ground. When you ground, you begin to filter out the world’s triggers. You can collect your thoughts and manage your busy brain. In short, when you focus you begin to meditate, even if you have never tried to meditate before. Just use a Mindful Tracing Art tool, work with one hand and then the other, and enjoy a wonderful “time out”.
Celtic Twists Mandalynth®
The Celtic Twists is a Mandalynth®, which is a combination of the “eastern” mandala and the “western” labyrinth. Celtic Mandalynths® are the unique creation of artist Erin Rado – Ravensdaughter.
A Mandalynth® is drawn in the classic woven style where the ribbon flows under and over itself. However, the pattern is modern and moves in unpredictable ways in order to capture your attention.
When tracing a Celtic Mandalynth®, simply grab something that points – like a capped pen – and start tracing anywhere along the design. TRY IT WITH THIS MANDALYNTH® HERE.
Cross over intersections as you trace. Think of it as traveling along the highway where you cross over and under bridges. Just follow along. The design will loop back on itself, so trace as long as you wish and stop whenever you feel like it.
The Celtic Twists Mandalynth® is a ‘gentle’ design, meaning that it has little complexity. Some Celtic Mandalynths® are gentle and open to trace. Some are engaging and tricky to trace. Some are intensely complex to trace. Choose whichever Celtic Mandalynth® design intrigues you, or purchase the Celtic Mandalynth® Workbook or a set of Celtic Mandalynth® Travel Cards if you wish a collection of these unique Mindful Tracing Art patterns.
Celtic Mandalynths
Classic Finger Labyrinth
A Labyrinth is a pathway that you walk. The design is always uni-cursal, meaning it only has one path. There are no right or wrong turns in a Labyrinth. There are no traps or dead-ends. You can trust that a Labyrinth will guide you to its center. There you can pause and reflect.
Trace a Finger Labyrinth with your fingertip. TRY IT WITH THIS LABYRINTH HERE. Begin at the opening which is a gap on the outside edge, usually near the bottom. Trace between the lines just as you would with a maze. Because the Labyrinth is 2-dimensional you must focus on it in order to keep track of where you are going.
When you reach the center of a Labyrinth, pause for a moment. Take a deep breath. Think about the bothersome thoughts you wish to shed and the wonderful thoughts you wish to ponder. Then reverse direction and trace back out to the opening.
The breath is key to tracing a Labyrinth because it helps you ground and settle down. And as with the Celtic Mandalynth® - SWITCH HANDS from time to time.
Some Finger Labyrinths are open and gentle to trace. Some are engaging and tricky to trace. Some are intensely complex to trace. Choose whichever Finger Labyrinth design intrigues you, or purchase the Finger Labyrinth Workbook or a set of Finger Labyrinth Travel Cards if you wish a collection of these unique Mindful Tracing Art patterns
Finger Labyrinths
Labyrinth Pillows & Plates
Finger Labyrinth Journals
Journaling is a wonderful way to express your thoughts and feelings. Journaling helps improve your memory. It inspires creative expression and helps people with learning and retention.
Journaling is also therapeutic because it provides a healthy release of problems and triggers. Whatever is troubling you, just write it down. No one ever needs to know what you have written. A journal is a private thing, and just being able to express yourself is a wonderful thing to do.
Now you can combine the peace of Mindful Labyrinth Tracing with the personal messages of Journaling. Use the Finger Labyrinth printed on the journal’s cover. Trace it from the opening, to the center, and back again – always taking a moment to breathe when you reach the center or the edge.
Then when you are focused and ready, open the journal and jot down anything that comes to mind. You can cry and shout in a journal. You can smile and dream. You can work through a difficult moment and find peace once you organize your emotions.
Hardback Labyrinth Journals are available in 2 sizes here at the Celtic Art Store. Paperback Labyrinth Journals are available on Amazon.
