Zentangle, The Design That Helps Us To Meditate

Zentangle is a drawing method based on the repetitive use of all geometric and curvilinear shapes.

The goal of this method is to find calm and achieve meditation through the realization of structured drawings forming beautiful images. The technique is simple, in addition to being relaxing and entertaining.

The creators of this method, Maria Thomas and Rick Roberts, say that almost anyone can succeed in producing beautiful images.

The main objective is to increase concentration and creativity, as well as to promote a feeling of well-being through artistic satisfaction.

Exploring the Zentangle method and putting it into practice is therefore a way of “freeing yourself”.

What you should know about the Zentangle method

According to its creators, the method is easy to understand, and it is easy to enjoy it even if you don’t know how to draw or paint.

Understanding the method and creating a Zentangle artwork is like learning the secret behind a magic trick.

Each line is drawn in a conscious and thoughtful way, as if it were thoughts, words or facts. In other words, we “put lines” on what matters to us in life.

It’s about connecting our mind to our hand and paper. It allows us to approach new thoughts and perspectives, which helps us to flee and focus on the present.

This is why it is forbidden to erase, because in this way we would not only erase our drawing; one would also erase oneself.

In other words, not knowing what will result from our drawing is something that we intentionally envision, which can be seen as a freedom as well as a challenge.

On the other hand, the fact that there is no pre-determined solution, as can be the case in the context of other hobbies, can initially prove to be irritating (due to our education, we always want to find perfect solutions).

Let’s see step by step what we need to make Zentangle drawing:

• Each Zentangle Tile or Frame measures 8.89cm square. This goes for any type of textured paper, which should ideally be white.

• We must start with the drawing of a line, and continue by repeatedly circling the design that we are creating.
  • Zentangle design was designed to be finished in one go, which may take 15 minutes. Thus, the feeling of success and satisfaction can be quickly achieved for those of you who do not have much time.
• Putting the Zentangle method into practice requires recreating a personal, intimate and unique environment. Basing your sensations on the texture of the Zentangle paper tiles, will make us feel wonderfully relaxed and connected.

What the Zentangle brings us

In other articles, we have already told you about the emotional and cognitive benefits that can be reaped when coloring mandalas and other designs.

However, the Zentangle goes further, because it is based on the creation of drawings and allows us to see that we can also make beautiful illustrations.

Thus, we move away from the consciousness of space-time, because the implementation of the Zentangle:

• Relaxes us deeply.
• Helps us to free ourselves from insomnia if we indulge in this activity before going to bed.
• Leads us to further enhance our capabilities.
• Unites us with a community of support and entertainment (there are different pages and groups on social media).
• Nurtures and develops our creative capacities.
• Exercises our brain and our mind.

Characteristics of the Zentangle method

We tend to forget that art and creation help us reconnect with ourselves, because it is a facet that we usually leave aside and which allows us to free ourselves from our usual confinement in tasks and activities.

Zentangle allows us to internally establish a non-verbal language of designs and proportions that opens the door to new perceptions that are usually blocked.

Thus, like the technique of mandalas, this method is a form of “modern meditation”.

We put in quotes the expression “modern meditation” because Jung was already using geometric and archetypal protocols as therapeutic instruments.

So, the fact that the result is not premeditated helps us to see life as an array of colors and not so much black or white.