Have you ever sat down to create and found yourself wrestling with self-doubt, emotional waves, or restlessness? What if these weren’t distractions—but invitations?

The Journey of the Four Gates is a sacred mandala practice I developed to help us meet ourselves exactly where we are, with honesty, tenderness, and compassion. Inspired by my fascination with Buddhist mandalas and Hindu yantras—especially those symmetrical forms with four open gateways—I created a stencil that brings this ancient symbol into the hands of modern seekers.

Where Creativity and Spirit Meet

As an artist and stencil designer, I longed for a tool that would free us from technical precision and instead open a path for spiritual reflection, sacred creativity, and personal expression. The Four Gates Mandala Stencil was born from this vision.

What I hadn’t expected was how quickly the process of drawing and decorating these mandalas would become a sacred space—rich with contemplation, insight, and healing.

The Four Gates as Sacred Messengers

In my own practice, I began noticing that certain experiences would surface while creating—mental distractions, emotional waves, physical discomfort, or frustration. These weren’t interruptions. They were messengers.

Over time, I saw how these gates aligned with the four directions and four elements, each reflecting a different aspect of our inner world:

• Air – self-critical thoughts and mental chatter
• Water – emotional waves and vulnerability
• Earth – physical fatigue or resistance
• Fire – frustration, restlessness, or unfulfilled desires

The Four Gates invite us to pause and notice what’s arising—not to push it away, but to welcome it with curiosity and compassion. As we move through each gate, we journey closer to the center of the mandala—and closer to our inner truth.

A Practice of Self-Compassion

This isn’t just an art project. It’s a spiritual practice.

By giving form to our inner experience, the mandala becomes more than a piece of art. It becomes a mirror of our interconnectedness, a gentle space where self-compassion blossoms into compassion for others.

This practice teaches us to:

• Slow down and listen
• Greet ourselves with kindness
• Transform discomfort into insight
• Express truth through beauty

Whether you’re a seasoned creative or just beginning, the Journey of the Four Gates offers an accessible, deeply nourishing path to reconnect with yourself.

Begin Your Journey

Download the free guide – Includes inspiration behind the stencil, spiritual reflections, how-to instructions, and a gallery of completed mandalas by myself and other artists.

Explore the Four Gates Mandala Stencil – Your first step into sacred creativity. Designed for flexibility and personal expression.