How To Create A Zen Circle
I had a nice time ctreating my first zen (Enso circle) this morning so I made a video to share the experience with you.
Maybe you will want to give it a try… Here is where I first learned about Zen Circles about a month ago.
They were usually created via brush strokes on silk or rice paper but I used a regular drawing paper this morning. I will go to Michael’s Art store soon to get some rice paper because I love the feel and look of rice paper. Maybe I’ll do another video or at least show you pictures.
When creating your zen circle, use only one brush stroke. That one stroke symbolized the movement of the spirit in a single go, leaving no room for change when it was completed. This was a type of expressionist symbolism. It is believed that only a person who had achieved that “personal enlightenment” could create a true enso circle because the artist’s character was exposed during its creation. This led to many artists practicing an enso circle as a sort of spiritual practice.
The enso circle is a very ancient concept and symbol found in Japanese culture and calligraphy. The circle is associated with gaining personal enlightenment or clearing and freeing one’s mind, as is popularly practiced in Zen Buddhism. The circle is found in many places in modern society today.
Zen circle that is related to a type of concentration, for the purpose of total clarity. The idea is not to make a perfect circle, it is to make a circle that shows total consciousness. Here’s my first Zen circle on video:
Hi Nathalie,
Interesting to see the circle you are drawinf in one brush stroke;) I noticed the circle is not closed you are leaving a space there, what does this symbolize?I love the energy of the circle especailly when people hold hands the energy created is more than multiplied and very strong indeed.
Thanks!
Hi Patricia, I am why we are not closing the circle …I will look more into it
Nathalie Villeneuve recently posted..How Do You Live Your Life To The Fullest ~ An Interview With Nancy Shields
thank YOU nathalie for teaching me about zen circles. i loved listening to the beach boys in the background
i just had my wood floors refinished and there is dust everywhere in my house… instead of cleaning it up i’m gonna draw some zen circles in it!
happy gobbling tomorrow… <3
~melissa
Hi Melissa! Great idea!! Make a video…LOL
Nathalie Villeneuve recently posted..Is It Time For A Personal Inventory
What a beautiful expression of both the freeflow and connectedness states. Being in motion and creation without being rigid. Indeed this looks like a lovely meditative process Nathalie! I think Melissa’s going to have a lot of fun in the sawdust though, such a fun kid-like spirit picturing that!
Kim
Hi Kimberly…You said it beautifully! And yes! It would have been great to see Melissa making Zen circles in saw dust!
Nathalie Villeneuve recently posted..How Do You Live Your Life To The Fullest ~ An Interview With Nancy Shields
That was SO cool Natalie! Although, I have to admit, I thought you were going to step on it at the end! I’d like to learn more about this and what it means! I look forward to reading the article.
You are so beautiful, and it is lovely to see you on video again! I feel like it’s been a while
I’m so glad you enjoy it Lorri…I promess to make more videos on zen circles to learn more and inspire people to make them
Nathalie Villeneuve recently posted..How Do You Live Your Life To The Fullest ~ An Interview With Nancy Shields
Hi Nathalie,
what a great way to meditate and focus.
To draw the circle one would need to be fully in the moment.
You said it was the first time you tried this? Wow, well done.
Good vibrations, alright!
Thank you so much for sharing this!
Thanks Yorinda…This was fun! I want to do more videos about Zen and creativity!
Nathalie Villeneuve recently posted..Learn To Give Yourself A Break!
hi Nathalie I like your video a lot. I had not heard of Zen Circles at all. I am going to look into that further! Clearing the mind is clear, I noticed you did that before you started giving yourself a few seconds of quiet and peace.
Yes, that is the purpose of the Zen circle and I think the more you make them the more you are able to connect with your inner quietness…How cool!
Nathalie Villeneuve recently posted..Learn To Give Yourself A Break!