We can also listen to ourselves by drawing mandalas, what I call a snapshot of the psyche in art.  Carl Jung developed and popularized mandalas, painting some complicated and beautiful symmetrical art.  I like to make mandalas when I’m not sure how I’m feeling, or when I’m feeling bad and I can’t figure out why.  Here’s how to do it:

Have a few large sheets of drawing paper, and some colored drawing utensils.  I like to use newsprint and pastels.  Crayons work well, also.  Work in a space where you can meditate and be alone for half an hour.  Open all your supplies so you can get right to work when moved.  Hand draw a large circle in the center of the paper.  Close your eyes and begin to clear your mind.  Take some deep breaths.  Wait for an image to come to you.  When you see something, grab the right color and draw in the right spot on the paper.  Try not to think too much, and don’t worry about making it a pretty piece of art – that’s not the point.  Continue to meditate and add images to your mandala until your mind ceases to bring you images or you feel the work is complete.  When you’re done, look at the whole work, and see what comes up for you.  Look at the colors and images.  What emotions appear present?  What could some of the shapes represent from your life?  You might journal about what you see and what’s coming up for you.  When you’re done, turn over your drawing.  Write the date and a few sentences about what’s going on in your life and what you see in the mandala.  After a series of mandalas, you might see certain themes repeating, which might prove additionally helpful.