Jennifer Bates, aka Tela Talise, showcases her artwork and new book "Nature Mandalas for Busy Minds: Mindfulness Moments for Inspiring Connection and Calm" at her first-ever book signing event held at the Riverfront Renaissance Center for the Arts in Millville, earlier this year.
Jennifer Bates wants to help you reach a state of peace and harmony with yourself and others. She provided some suggestions on how to live mindfully in the now with her new book titled “Nature Mandalas for Busy Minds: Mindfulness Moments for Inspiring Connection and Calm."
Bates, assistant director of Business Development, RCSJ, writes under the pseudonym Tela Talise. She shares multiple methods of mindful practices throughout her book. Bates designs mandala nature art as a pathway for you to connect with your inner self.
“Mindfulness is being self-aware," she said. “For me, mindfulness is taking a walk and doing art. It's really about knowing yourself and how [to] regulate the emotions of the world and yourself internally, so you show up as your best self.
“Most people think mindfulness is like, I [have] to meditate for hours, or I have to do a guided meditation, when honestly, it could be simply asking yourself a self-awareness question that's in my book – once a day or once a week."
According to yogajala.com, “Mandalas are circular designs that represent the universe or the cycles of life … and help focus the mind and create a sense of peace and well-being."
“The reason I picked the mandala is because it's something anyone can enjoy," said Bates, who is also an associate artist at Millville's
Riverfront Renaissance Center for the Arts. “It doesn't matter your background, where you come from, your experiences. Anyone can look into a mandala and be able to center themselves."
Bates, like many of us, was experiencing rough patches at one point in her life and suffered from postpartum depression after the births of her two children. In addition to mom duties, she worked three jobs, and was on the go nonstop. Due to her hectic schedule Bates, a lifelong artist who graduated with a degree in Fine Arts and Design at the College in 2005, strayed away from her passion of creating art. Her life coach suggested she dedicate space and time to refocus on what makes her happy.
“I was in my 30s not knowing the importance of putting the oxygen mask on first and taking care of myself first to be a better version for my kids, my husband, my family and all the people in my life," she said. “I went back to art and found mindfulness through the mandala."
Becoming an author was Bates' chance to share the beauty of art in a healing and holistic fashion. “When this book was conceived, it was a … combination of what I wish I had back then (going through depression), my love of art, and also helping people understand mindfulness in bite-sized chunks," she said. “The book itself has 31 emotional intention words that go with the mandalas. It's art installations combined with mindful thoughts of self-awareness blended together in this beautiful sandwich for a delicious way to consume mindfulness."
“Nature Mandalas for Busy Minds" is also filled with affirmations to help uplift the reader. For example, in Chapter 13 titled Imperfection: Facing Our Flaws, the affirmation is, “I am accepting myself fully, flaws and all, knowing that self-acceptance is the key to inner peace and happiness."
“In a nutshell, the book is to help people [who] are just so busy they feel like they don't have time for … meditation or just self-care in general," Bates said. “So, the book is really a blended technique book to help people understand what mindfulness is – with my artwork and questions to help them look at their self-awareness."
“Nature Mandalas for Busy Minds" is not only for those who are experiencing turbulence in their lives, the author, who is an adjunct professor at Southern New Hampshire University and Concorde Career College, noted. “It's also for people [who] want to maintain mindfulness. You could be mentally sharp and maybe need a little bit of extra love and care. That mindfulness can be a beautiful way of looking at life … with more meaning."
The book has received good reviews. According to
literarytitan.com, “Tela Talise offers a beautifully crafted guide to mindfulness through nature-inspired mandalas, weaving together reflections, affirmations, and journaling prompts that encourage stillness and self-awareness. If you find yourself constantly stressed, always in your head, or struggling to slow down, this book is for you."
“What I appreciate most is how [Jennifer] skillfully weaves together affirmations, guided mindful moments, and self-inquiry prompts that are both accessible and impactful," said Iris L. Mendez, LSW, assistant director of Internship and Career Planning, RCSJ. “It's a powerful companion for anyone on a journey of healing, connection, or simply looking to create calm amidst the chaos around."
Bates said writing “Nature Mandalas…" was a rewarding experience.
“Being a first-time author is a beautiful balance of joy and personal growth," she said. “Each time I reread the drafts of the book to contemplate the selection of what mandalas would make it into this book gave me time to self-reflect and really see just how much value this book could offer others.
“This was the drive behind the title of my newly published author status. It was first for my own empowerment to get what I love out to those who would feel inspired and to see that art can be more than a pretty picture, it really can become a way to find connection and calm. It'll never compare to giving birth to your own kids, but it was up there."
Bates hopes to inspire her fellow artists as well.
“I started my own publishing company in the process for my own books," she said. “I want to be an example for people that in the arts, you can be successful. I didn't have the confidence until I actually started putting myself out there. Because a lot of artists will not feel [their] work is worthy. You have to keep pushing."
“This was my first book," she continued. “I hope to have more."
According to Bates, the message of her book is to “Encourage personal growth with each short chapter assisting the reader with common situations and feelings we all navigate through at some point in our lives.
“Overall, I want the book to be a huge hug of compassion to encourage mindful living and that we collectively go through similar feelings, situations and emotions.
Mindfulness inspired me and I hope my perfect blend of mindfulness helps others with my nature art."
You can order “Nature Mandalas for Busy Minds: Mindfulness Moments for Inspiring Connection and Calm" from Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
For information about Rowan College of South Jersey programs, visit RCSJ.edu.
