Sit in a quiet place. Remove distractions such as radio and television. Softly play a classical or new age music CD, if desired, to help bring your mind to a state of relaxation.
Close your eyes and breath normally and naturally for five to 15 minutes, as desired, to help calm and center the mind.
Place a large dinner plate upside down on a piece of 14-by-17-inch drawing paper. Trace around the dinner plate, using a pencil.
Fill the circle on the paper with whatever shapes, colors, squiggles and lines feel right to you. There are no rules regarding what is right or wrong.
Draw spontaneously, similar to doodling, allowing your right brain to run free, not allowing the left brain to criticize or judge what is happening on the paper. For example, if you feel like drawing a purple cow under an orange moon, do it. Since the drawing is symbolic, drawing an animal, for instance, as a circle with four stick legs, a line for the tale and two pointed ears is fine.
Stop drawing after 30 minutes. If you feel compelled to continue drawing, allow yourself to do so.
Date the completed mandala. Place it in a location where you may view it for a short time each day. Allow it to explain and reveal itself to you a little more with each viewing.
Write your thoughts and observations in the margin areas around the drawing as thoughts come to you concerning what the symbols, colors and interacting elements may mean.