Rice & The Art of Engagement

Sea Turtle Mandala
Photo: ©2011  B.Gini

A few years ago, I was asked by Greenshire Healing Arts Center to provide a community art project for a Youth Peace Summit that reflects the theme of "Peace". What is better as a symbol of unity than a community Mandala?


Mandalas are circular, symmetrical designs that have been used for centuries as a tool for meditation & reflection, and in more modern times by Sigmund Freud as a tool for psychoanalysis. I have drawn many mandalas over the years and find them to be a great tool for engagement in self-reflection, peaceful, focused thought and creative problem solving.


I was not sure how to proceed at first, and after a few ideas that I rejected, I finally envisioned a design: The Earth encircled by a rainbow-(the symbol for Hope as well as a symbol of diversity) two Doves with olive branches (symbolizing Peace) A Heart at the base is for Love, Friendship and Acceptance, and Lotus petals framing all 4 corners, represent the progress of working towards Peaceful interactions. (A lotus grows up through the mud to blossom into a fragrant, perfect bloom. I have observed & known many people with that same ability.) I drew the design on brown paper that painters use to cover surfaces when working.


The Mandala was made with colored rice-a technique I became familiar with through my Friend Ritu who who also does the most amazing Henna and Batik you have ever seen! She has been doing this beautiful ancient art for many years. She was my inspiration for the building of this project & this was my first time doing such a large piece.


Each grain of rice, being placed on the design by at-risk teens of all ages was the epitome of Peaceful interaction not just with each other, but within themselves. I noticed that as each area of the design emerged-one small spoonful at a time- the kids became fully engaged in the tiny colorful grains. One remarked that she felt as if she had become part of the design itself.

That is the beauty of this process. As each individual works on a part of the design, and as it emerges, it brings self- reflection to the individual, to the group & to the larger community. It helps us realize that even though we are individual and unique, we are all part of something much larger than ourselves. The mandala making process becomes the Art of Engagement which is the basis of all peaceful interactions.

When the design was finished, it was displayed in the gallery for a week, then dismantled, much as Tibetan Mandalas are. To me, this represents impermanence & non-attachment. It reminds me of the fragile nature of Life & affirms that any positive change begins with a single thought from a single person-just as this design began with a single spoonful of rice.

Being who I am, I have adapted this activity to use with my younger groups & my students with sensory challenges. From their perspective, it is a fun, calming, multi-sensory activity that helps them learn to focus, share, engage & follow through with a project to completion. For the younger kids, I use simple terminology & call the designs 'mosaics', or 'rice art' and I make them permanent by using a little bit of white glue before the rice is added.

So many Life & Social skills can be learned through this activity! Its a perfect activity for outdoors and is the method I prefer. If you are going to do it inside, let the kids assist through the entire process by helping color the rice, set up the area & clean up at the end. If rice spills, gently guide them to help clean it up. Wherever you decide to set up the activity, be sure to allow plenty of time. It’s counter-productive to rush children through the process.It may even be helpful to set it up at a 'sensory station' and let the kids work on it at intervals during the week.

Supplies are simple: Plain, heavy duty paper plates, round or square (not Styrofoam) OR shoe box lids. (You can also use aluminum pans or plain color plastic trays) rice, food coloring and hand sanitizer. There are literally thousands of ideas and patterns online. Start with simple geometric shapes and build more intricate designs as the skill and attention level increases.

To see an instructional video of how to color the rice, click here: Colored Rice Technique.

 To find our e-course on designing mandalas for stress management go to:
10 Minute Mandalas

I know there are hundreds of other ways to use colored rice. Tell us your ideas in thecomments below!


To see some photos of the activity in progress, watch the video below.



Contact: barbara@bodylogique.com