1. SunìstemiSunìstemi “uniting, putting together” Week 1 Monday Individual Interest & Passion Exploration Threshold Network Groups 2012

2. man·da·la Noun 1.Oriental Art. A schematized representation of the cosmos, chiefly characterized by a concentric configuration of shapes, each of which contains an image of a deity or an attribute of a deity. 2.(in Jungian psychology) a symbol representing the effort to reunify the self. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/mandala?s=t

3. History “mandala” comes from Sanskrit word meaning (loosely) “circle” Similar artwork found across multiple cultures and religions Buddhism – used for meditation Christian – Hildegard von Bingen, Christian nun in 12 th century, used mandalas to express beliefs Aztecs – created sand mandalas and medicine wheels – both a time keeping and religious symbol Navajo Indians & Tibetan Monks – create sand mandalas to show the impermanence of life http://www.mandalaproject.org/what/index.html

4. http://dailyheadlines.uark.edu/9548.htm

5. http://www.celestial-art.net/mandalas.htm

6. Visit http://www.mandalaproject.org/what/index.html for hundreds of examples of mandalas created across all cultures and religious beliefs http://www.mandalaproject.org/what/index.html

7. Complete these eight blanks… I am _______1_______, ______2______, and ______3________. I am unique because ________4________. I enjoy ______5_________. I wish that ________6__________. In the future I will _______7_________. The most important thing to me is _____8______.

8. 8 Mandala Creation In each of the eight blanks around the outside of your mandala, draw a visual representation of your eight words. In the center, combine your eight words into one visual synopsis Once finished, create a written “artist’s statement” about your completed mandala