1. Doodles and Colors
"Every artist dips his brush in his own soul,
and paints his own nature into his pictures."
Henry Ward Beecher
I would like to share my doodles that have unexpectedly and involuntarily become a very
important part of this journey of self‐discovery. I am finding that patterns in my sketches are
indicative of my own psychological, mental and emotional state. They provide me with clarity,
understanding and ways to resolve and integrate the learning’s and findings through various
experiences. Increasingly, the expression in these sketches is helping me get in touch with the
unconscious parts of me that I don’t believe I have ever been able to connect with. Of course,
they have spurted out on their own, but I have never gingerly and sensitively connected with
them to help me through my inner journey.
Most of my doodles have been in the margins for the past one year, but since my BLHP in March
2009 my doodles have become an exercise by themselves. They often start on the left bottom
and gradually move to the right and up. There is significant amount of repetition and the feeling
that I am drawing petals, leaves and spirals.
Here are a few things I found on the internet about doodling:
Source: AnnaKoren.com
REPETITIVE SHAPES
Patience, perseverance, methodical,
developed ability to concentrate.
(Homogeneous writing, stable, constant,
phlegmatic type ‐ LE SENNE.)
PLANTS, FLOWERPOTS, FLOWERS
Friendly, sociable (motifs used extensively by social workers),
sensitive, humane, warm, open. (Choleric type ‐ LE SENNE.)
The spiral has symbolised the search for one’s spirit in all cultures : the Maoris of
New Zealand, the aborigines of Australia, the Greeks, the natives of the Americas.
The Kundalini Shakti is also symbolised by the spiral; as is the journey of the
“Pilgrim’s Progress”.
Source: http://www.whats‐your‐sign.com/spiral‐meaning.html

2. In terms of spirituality, the spiral symbol can represent the path leading from outer
consciousness (materialism, external awareness, ego, outward perception) to the inner soul
(enlightenment, unseen essence, nirvana, cosmic awareness). Movements between the inner
(intuitive, intangible) world and the outer (matter, manifested) world are mapped by the
spiraling of archetypal rings; marking the evolution of humankind on both an individual and
collective scale.
Source: BBCh2g2
Doodles are expressions of the subconscious mind.
Doodles, like dreams, involve a form of picture language, and it is the interpretation of these
pictures that reveal their meanings. There are several factors to be taken into account though,
besides the doodle itself.
The size and position of the doodle on the page also have a meaning which contributes to the
overall meaning of the doodle. For example, if you were to draw a very large doodle in the
centre of the page, then this would indicate how important you would like your role in life to be.
However, if you doodle in the margin or corners of a page, you would be revealed as a quiet
individual. One who doesn't necessarily want to stand out in a crowd.
The starting point of a doodle can also be relevant.
Those starting on the left and working to the right, are said to be highly significant to the
workings of the subconscious. Those that start to the right and work towards the left are more
based on logic.
Doodles which are started at the bottom of a page and develop upwards are the signs of an
ambitious personality. More introverted people, will tend to start their doodle in the centre of a
piece of paper, work outwards, and then move inwards again.
The intensity of the ink/pencil marks can also indicate the mood of the person. Lighter strokes
indicating a good day, but dark, heavy strokes can sometimes signal depression.
Finally, what is probably the most important part of analysing a doodle, is what the doodle is of:
Flowers: Most flowers are doodled by women, and are romantic in nature. Indicating a
desire to blossom and be fruitful in life.
Intricate Patterns: Very detailed doodles are often drawn by people who have an obsessive
nature, and who simply will not let go of their ambitions or loved ones. They are also likely
to be jottings of highly introverted people.
Mazes: An intricate maze suggests that you feel that you're in a tight spot. Alternatively, it
could be a sign of the need for protection from a threatening element in your life.

3. Interpreting meaning from doodles in BLHP
1. The doodle below started from the top, moved to the left and then slowly moved to bottom
right. This larger doodle progressed slowly and gradually during the 5 days of BLHP ‐ I notice that
the patterns are repetitive, dense and intricate. I had a need to keep filling the space with these
spirals and patterns. There was seemingly a lot of logical and linear thinking going on during the
lab that got captured in this doodle.
2. I then drew 2 weeks after I returned – I notice a lot more space and there was less of a need to
fill every space that I could find. I felt comfortable with leaving more spaces in my sketches.
3. I drew 3 another few days after 2 – This is close to 2 in form and denseness. It’s a lot more
complete in form and has the classic mango motif.
3
1
2

4.
This doodle bursts into colors and a wave of joy and form – colors and curls break out. It moved
slowly from a line to the right eventually bursting like fire into these colors.

5.
“If you had faith as big as a mustard seed, you could say to “this” tree, pull yourself up by roots and plant
yourself in the “sea” and It would obey you” Bible
Deep Roots

6.
Becoming Whole – Interpreting Doodles from ALHP
DAY 1

7.
DAY 2

12.
DAY 3

19. Writings and sketches from Inspirations
PETALS
Petals Petals
You hold such beauty within
If I touch you carelessly, I may ruin all that begins
How delicately can I make a start
I seem to make such blunders every time you pass
It seems so difficult every time I pluck you
Perhaps the secret is in to never possess you
But I get seduced and cheated by your looks
Drawn in
Wanting you, desiring you, holding you within
I pray that one day I will learn
To be free from being the dancer, so I can watch in
ecstasy
The moves, the twirls and the whirls, the kiss and the
tell
Just so your delicateness remains yours and the
strength mine
Together we will dance
All night long
In the glory of my Lord
In the glory of my Lord

20.
DEMON OF FEAR – THE SECRET TO LOVE
You are a demon that walks tall
Overshadowing even the sun that shines
like a ball
You come by surprise
Sneakily rising your ugly head at times
I would hide in your shadow so large
Daunted by your pain in my heart
Your friends are seductive ever bit
Cutting many a slit
You have far too often played this game
Creating rules as and when you please
But I laugh this time
Chucking shyly
Staring your hundred faced head in its
bold eyes
Shall we play this game again, I ask
Don't you try trick me with another new
mask
Your tricks are getting old
They hardly make me go cold
I have music in my heart
A Godly song on my lips
MY defenselessness is my sharpest
weapon
Your shadow can hardly me threaten
I choose not to engage
With these eyes I will disengage
My heart's bigger than than your grip
I refuse to go again on the same trip
Fear is just the shadow of love
The face that lurks when I fail to serve

21. AMBIGUITY AND SPACES
Leaving it open
Keeping space
Holding ambiguity
Maintaining continuity
To overcome my wall
To climb high and tall
Above my limitations
I want to build on this relation
Say what I have to say
Its alright to risk, for a chance to
build
But I need to listen
Listen very hard
Listen to the voice within
Listen to the words without
Stop filling spaces
Leave them clean and open
Red and purple
Orange and green
Colors on the periphery
Let them hold the ambiguity
Keep the spaces clean
Keep the spaces colorless
They are the colors of our lives
But keep them in the margins
Relations and spaces
Margins and colors
Leaves in the center
Petals of colors will enter
Uncertainty is the secret glue to my relations
If I understand it, I will piece it all together

22. COLORS AND CURLS
Colors and curls
They open me and hurl
They are from spaces that seem forbidden
I want to empty all that I have hidden
I delight in their dance
I can't help but catch many a glance
They are an object of my fascination
I have to hold back my elation
Colors and curls
They open me and hurl