Meditation can reduce stress and improve concentration, but what it does for our health as we age is even more impressive. To better understand how the ancient practice of meditation makes us more mindful and present we turned to Mandala Blooms Creative founder and meditation advocate Carolyn Trotter. If you’re not already a regular meditator — or if you’re a skeptic and need convincing — Trotter shares a few good reasons why you should take time every day and be still.
Trotter launched Mandala Blooms Creative, a line of beautifully designed floral meditation mats, in 2014 shortly after completing treatment for breast cancer. Practicing yoga and meditation during her cancer treatment helped Trotter stay focused on what matters and, as she puts it, “emerge from the challenge with new purpose and perspective.”
Q&A with Carolyn Trotter
Q: You started Mandala Blooms Creative in 2014 after treatment for breast cancer. Tell us about your journey and the effect yoga and meditation has had on your life since.
A: 10 years ago, I was treated for breast cancer. Yoga and meditation were instrumental for healing my mind and physical body. After treatment, I wanted to find a way to help others; men and women who were going through cancer treatment just like I had. Around that same time, I returned to painting which always had a spiritual and calming effect for me.
I used to do architectural-style illustrations. My past paintings tended to involve a lot of detail but I soon found myself painting very big and bold flowers with intricate centers. I’ve always been drawn to flowers — for me they symbolize healing, growth and rebirth. Someone remarked that my flowers looked like mandalas. I didn’t know much about mandalas at the time but I became intrigued. I set out to learn more about mandala figures and their healing properties.
The idea for Mandala Blooms Creative came to me during meditation. It was a transformative experience. From that point on, there was no looking back. I started painting mandalas on canvas mats as a way to help others experience the meditative powers of the mandala bloom during their yoga or meditation practices.
Q: What are the healing properties of mandalas?
A: The mandalas that I draw use sacred geometry patterns to form a series of circles that overlap and result in a design that emits energy. The outer ring represents your relationship with the world and the center represents the purest energy of life, free of attachments. The mandalas on my meditation mats can also be used as a focal point for meditation. Some people sit or stand on the mandala design and use it as an energy center.
Q: What are some of the ways older adults can break out of their routine and tap into mindfulness and creativity?
A: As we get older we get comfortable and more resistant to change, which is why I always try to break up my routine. It doesn’t have to be an extreme change. It can be something as simple as entering a different door in a building that you regularly visit or drinking coffee at a different café. This can introduce you to different people and provide a completely different experience.
At home, move your furniture or art work around so you actually notice them. Reduce clutter in your life because it creates more space for creativity. Exercise and experience nature. I suggest trying new things — meditation, reading, writing, travelling — to avoid complacency.
Q: Meditation. Is it a passing fad or an integral part of aging well?
A: I think one of the reasons why the practice of meditation is so popular right now is because, in the West, we’re beginning to understand more about its health benefits.
More and more scientific evidence is being released, converting the non-believers. Also, those over 55, like me, are caring for aging parents and witnessing the effects of dementia firsthand. I think this experience has made us much more willing to try alternatives, like yoga and meditation, to prevent cognitive decline and mitigate the aches and pains that come with aging. Yoga and meditation are also excellent tools for coping with stress, post-traumatic stress disorder, mental illness and even conflict.
Q: How long do you meditate every day? 5 minutes or 50 minutes?
A: Meditation does not mean sitting in lotus position for an hour a day, emptying our minds. It’s about focusing on one thing, for as little as even five minutes. Here’s what I suggest if you’re new to meditation: focus on your breath. You can also listen to music or repeat a mantra or positive affirmation. When a thought comes into your mind, just accept it and return to your focus.
And you don’t have to sit still — there’s also moving meditation, such as tai chi and yoga. Start with five minutes of meditation every day and grow your practice from there. Eventually, you’ll become more mindful and become tuned into how certain situations affect you and your body. Chances are, you’ll also discover what stresses you out and what makes you happy.
Editor’s note: Looking for ways to bring more peace and calm into your life? Seems like a lot of us feel that way. We’ve found five free meditation podcasts that can help do the trick.
