The Zentangle Method offers a unique and fulfilling way to combine creativity with meditation. Created by Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas, Zentangle is designed to make drawing accessible to everyone, regardless of artistic skill or experience. It involves creating intricate designs using simple, repeated patterns, known as “tangles,” on small square tiles. This unique art form blends creativity and meditation, offering a perfect avenue for continuing to build your self-care practice this summer.
The Practice
One of the things that drew me to this art form was the meditative aspect. Having practiced meditation since I was a child, this structured art form requiring both concentration and presence felt familiar. In fact this practice became particularly accessible during challenging periods. My son and I Zentangled together when he was in the hospital. Both kids and I tangled around the art table in the house during COVID. And, when my traditional mindfulness practice became particularly difficult after my breast cancer diagnosis, it was Zentangle that helped me on my path to recovery and gave me the confidence to start A Mindful Line!
However, you don’t have to be going through stressful times to tangle. I sat around many campfires tangling in the early mornings before the family woke up. And the authentic joy and love and camaraderie that the founders infuse into their trainings and online videos is palpable throughout this community. Just set aside 10-20 minutes to tangle and see if you feel it too.
The Creativity
Even if you don’t think you can draw, you can definitely Zentangle! There are no mistakes in Zentangle (and therefore, no erasers). Each line you draw becomes part of your pattern - no right or wrong. This freedom allows for the confidence to explore knowing there is no “bad” or “failed” attempt. Once you learn a few patterns and put them together, they always look amazing together! The possibilities are endless and each tile is unique and a welcome expression of each person’s style.
The Research
The repetitive strokes help to calm the mind and reduce stress, similar to repeating a mantra in meditation. There have been a number of studies about the benefits of Zentangle including reduced stress, anxiety and negative affect and increased self-compassion and sense of well-being.
The repetitive nature of each line and pattern can induce a state of relaxation, sometimes called a flow state. This is being so completely absorbed in something that you lose track of time and often don’t notice what is happening around you. This is how the Zentangle Method was born, and that story, along with the research links can be found in this blog, “Is Zentangle a Meditation?”
The Next Steps
Whether you’re seeking a new form of artistic expression, a method to reduce stress, or simply a way to spend some peaceful, mindful moments, Zentangle offers a beautiful path to explore.
Ready to give it a try? Download the FREE Zentangle Primer. This PDF offers step-by-step instructions (called step-outs) for some of our favorite tangles and space for you to practice right on the printable worksheets.
We have also just launched a new course called The No-Fail Zentangle for Self-Care Course. It comes with a companion workbook and teaches all new patterns to practice on their own and to put together at the end.
So, pick up your pen, print out one or both of the downloads, embrace the process, and discover the magic of this beautiful art form.
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