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Nature Also Auras

Nature Also Auras

P.S.  [to Molly’s wondrous weed blog]

 

In our Certified Zentangle Teacher seminars, we point out that nature “tangles” in a hollibaugh fashion. When you look at the natural world: branches, leaves of grass, mountain peaks; you notice most are “drawn” one behind the other – in other words, in a hollibaugh fashion.

In seminars, we also show examples of “aura” in nature: tree growth rings, ripples in a still pond, and growth lines on shells.

But until last week, I had never noticed nature drawing an aura like this in the air.

Every morning at 10:00, the Zentangle staff gathers for tea on our wisteria covered porch.  During tea last week, I noticed two tendrils of wisteria wending their way through the air. I couldn’t tell if one was aura-ing the other, or if each followed some similar template – some mysterious wisteria step-out – as they pushed aside the air to make room for more wisteria.

These tendrils show such beauty and symmetry. But before the Zentangle Method came into our lives, I don’t know if I would have appreciated this gift.

The Zentangle Method begins and ends with gratitude. I am grateful I noticed the miraculous and did not pass it off as coincidence. How often do we look at something and not see it?

A new world patiently awaits our appreciation, our gratitude, and our notice. At any moment we can take inspiration from beautiful patterns hidden in plain sight.

It is one reason that new tanglers joyfully exclaim, “I see patterns!”

With gratitude,

Rick

Rick Roberts

20 comments

  • I thought I was crazy but after reading the above comments, I feel normal now. I too see tangles everywhere! When I attended the CZT 34 this summer, I took a picture of the wallpaper in the bathroom & when I returned home to Michigan, I tangled the pattern, which looked like a bunch of shells, like mussels? I can’t believe that the world is full of tangles!

    Jane Franco on

  • thx for bringing us Zentangle and reminding us pattern is all around.

    henri chan CZT18 on

  • Thank you for sharing this story – it is a lovely reminder to appreciate your daily surroundings!

    Heather Moffatt on

  • Identical Twins!

    Victoria Smith CZT on

  • I love the fact that you all get together on a wisteria covered porch every morning with a cup of tea and discuss the business of Zentangle! What a wonderful life you’ve created for yourselves, and that wonderment is aured in the many, many lives you’ve touched by sharing the ZT method and yourselves!. I am deeply grateful.

    Jan Albright on

  • Do you know what the chances are that 2 branches would grow to form the exact symmetry to each other. It must have happened especially for Zentanglers. It’s amazing.

    Barbara Paolucci on

  • Everything I’ve learned so far, I’ve learned on my own – from workbooks, online, now the wonderful blog.

    I am not particularly spatial, so some of the Zentangles look very difficult to me.
    Yet, I am grateful to have discovered this drawing form., and yes … everywhere I look, I see Zentangles!

    Joanne Erhartic on

  • Last winter we came out to see our truck’s windows covered with tiny ice crystals. My husband thought I was crazy to want to take pictures of this tangling inspiration, until he put the camera up to take them. He was as in awe of the patterns as I was!

    Ginger White, CZT34 on

  • Even when i am dreaming, I am seeing patterns. What a world Zentangle has opened for me. Grateful to you, Rick, and to Maria, Molly, Martha, and staff for a great CZT34.

    MaryKay Cass on

  • I have always seen faces, things, everywhere - clouds, tiles, wrinkles. But since CZT#16 and learning the Zentangle Method, like others, i notice patterns every where. I love to see friends, family, students faces of wonderment when they come back to me and tell me about all the patterns they have noticed. Thank you Rick and Maria for opening our eyes!!

    Deborah Lalonde on

  • These are beautiful photos!
    I am always amazed when I see something in my everyday paths that I never noticed before … maybe it is because those everyday paths are constantly changing or maybe I sometimes think it is more about what you are looking for.

    Molly on

  • Not long ago I was walking in a neighborhood near Santa Rosa, CA and saw overlapping “tangles” of tree bark that appeared to be shredding off the trunk and limbs. I don’t know what kind of tree it was but I took a picture of it and enjoy studying it from time to time.

    Paula Schneider on

  • It always amazes me that there is always more see. And we are a part of nature too. Our veins are the same as the veins in a cabbage leaf! I wonder how many more similarities there are. Thank you! I love learning!

    Paulette Kirschensteiner on

  • It’s amazing and beautiful! The nature and also Zentangle! I love it! Thank you! <3

    Annika Wiener on

  • Since I have been tangling, I look at the world so differently now. My son is an arborist, so I see it all the time in nature as you pointed out. I see it in fabrics and home decor. It is a whole new world♥️
    Thank You for sharing
    Dotti C.

    Dotti on

  • Thanks for sharing, Rick!

    I never really understood how to practice mindfulness until I spent time with you, Maria, Molly and The Zentangle Staff during CZT 10.

    Thanks again to all of you for sharing your thoughts, photos, videos and tangles . . .

    Jennifer Kwiecien CZT on

  • Amazing beauty in nature when we take the time to appreciate it all around us!

    Alice Roche, CZT 29 on

  • Nature makes fractal patterns as well. Math is the language of pattern recognition. It’s all connected!!

    Thank you.
    Zentangle has made me notice patterns everywhere.

    shelley on

  • Love it all! Since I’ve been teaching tangling my friends are quick to point out tangles in their lives and share with me. Love it!

    Terri Young, CZT16 on

  • We pass up way too much in what nature has to offer. Thanks Rick for the reminder!!

    Lyla McDaniel CZT on

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