This is one of those mandalas where the look of it changes as you rotate it around. Each turn gives you a new perspective. Last month we were to work on being still, this month its about going inward, from every possible perspective, to take a good look at ourselves.
This one deals with a heavier concept than any of the other mandalas…if you can handle it then continue reading otherwise go directly to the download link.
Too often we point at this thing or that person or that group for the cause of our grief, fears, and suffering, when in actuality we ourselves, individually, are responsible for our own grief, fears, and suffering. Oh sure there are some outside influences that give the appearance of causing us great harm; ultimately, though, we decide, each one of us, how we are going to react and be.
Everything is an opinion, either our own or one we’ve adopted from someone else. To read more about this concept, I highly recommend reading Stuart Wilde’s “Weight Loss for the Mind.” It’s a little book packed with powerful ideas. I’ve read it at least 20 times and carry it with me wherever I go.
Much of our suffering comes from thinking that the so called ‘awful’ people or ‘awful’ circumstances in our world are making our lives miserable, when in reality they are reflections of what we are hesitant/fearful to look at inside ourselves. You know that saying “when you point your finger, three fingers are pointing back at you?” Well that’s’ what this month’s mandala is asking us to do…when something or someone outside of ourselves is upsetting us, color this mandala (or make up your own) and as you do, take a look at where and/or how that is playing itself out inside of ourselves.
Several years ago I discovered the cause of my dad’s rage and thus a lot of our family’s anguish. Anytime he thought someone was trying to make him feel or look stupid, he would blow up. When I discovered this I decided to write him a letter about what I learned. In the process of writing the letter I became painfully aware that I do the same thing as he does. What an eye opener. I had a similar experience when I was journaling about all the things that upset me about my mother…I realized that I did each and every one of those things.
It’s time to face up to and take responsibility for our role in our own grief and suffering. It’s time to get up close and personal with ourselves. Coloring the mandala while you’re doing this will help with the process. You may end up coloring it more than once and from different perspectives. Also try using different media (colored pencils, crayons, collage, pastels, etc.)
Now go have fun coloring! 
Download the August 2009 Mandala of the Month (~650kb)
If the size of the file is a problem for you, let me know and I’ll make a smaller file version.
If you want to be notified when the next month’s mandala is available, subscribe in the upper right column.
Happy Coloring!
Maureen, The Mandala Lady
ADDED 8/5/09: Here’s an interesting read from Deepak Chopra entitled “Are You Denying Your Darks Side?”
Mandala of the Month 