What do you think of when you think about meditation? You’re probably imagining yourself sitting cross-legged on the floor in an uncomfortable position with your eyes closed. Or maybe when you think about prayer you’re visualizing yourself in a pew in your parish church, not sure exactly what to focus on.
There’s another technique for prayer and meditation that’s so amazingly simple, little children do it all the time! It’s coloring. Finding a subject to color in, and taking the time to reflect on what you’re doing—either through Scripture passages or prayers—is one of the easiest and most rewarding ways to connect with God.
“But I’m an adult! I haven’t done coloring in years!”
Don’t worry: it’s like riding a bicycle. The first thing to do is choose a book in which to color. We have a great selection of adult coloring books, including Our Lady’s Garden, Scripture Illuminated, Windows into Christ, and Jesus Speaks to You.: A Coloring Book for Prayer and Meditation.
What you’ll need:
- A coloring book from the selection above
- A table, desk, or other flat surface
- Crayons or markers
- Optional: music that lends itself to prayer
When you have your book, leaf through it slowly and thoughtfully. Choose the page that seems to be speaking to you right now, in this moment. Sit comfortably and take a few deep breaths. Pay attention to your body, especially around the neck and shoulders, and release any tension in the muscles. Give yourself a moment to relax.
Now it’s time to pick up your crayon or marker, and start coloring! Don’t stress over what colors to choose. Don’t worry about whether orange and red look good next to each other. Take deep breaths and think about the page that you’re on.
What is it that God is trying to tell you here?
It’s okay for your mind to wander. If you start thinking about your to-do list, bring your mind back to the page in front of you. Be gentle and forgiving with yourself; this is a new activity you're taking on. But acknowledge also that sometimes God will guide you into mysterious and beautiful places that you never dreamed existed.
Download a free coloring page from Jesus Speaks to You.
Keep coloring. Keep asking God to be with you, to be in you. Feel his peace and love flow around you. Revel in the spectrum of colors God has given you, and focus on the image you’re coloring and what it means to you.
You may find that you’re more of an artist than you think!