If you thought the Disney movie "The Lion King" was all about animals trying to survive the hardships of life on the African savannah, you would be mistaken. As we watch Simba grow from a cub to king, we realize that just like the animals on the screen, human beings are also part of the circle of life.

As that circle has evolved from one generation to the next, humanity developed a sense of spirituality, or the belief in a higher power, to aid in the search for the meaning of life during our turn in the circle. The mandala, which literally means circle, is a religious totem that has been used in almost every part of the globe as a symbol of spirituality.

Many native cultures believe a mandala aids in meditation, the act of thinking deeply to create a sense of peace, relaxation and gain health and spiritual awareness. Most religions practice some system of meditation to attain religious discovery.

To the tribes of the Plains Nation in the United States, the mandala is a sacred symbol of the universe. Dance shields are decorated with designs that are special to the owner to help bring happiness and wealth through the power of prayer. Mandala war shields are the owner's "medicine," offering special, sacred powers of protection from harm.

You can use directions I found at http://tallmouse.com on the Web to fashion your own mandala.

Supplies you will need:

• The inside hoop from a 4-inch embroidery hoop.

• Sisal or other twine, or brown or tan yarn.

• Brown paper bag.

• Colored pencils.

• Hole punch.

• Nine pony beads.

• Feathers.

• Scissors.

Wrap the ring tightly with twine or yarn and tie.

Cut out a small section of a brown paper bag that will fit inside the ring without touching the sides. Crumple the paper to make it soft. Decorate the paper with colored pencils and use a hole punch to place holes around the outer edge of the paper.

Lace the paper to the ring so it "floats" inside the middle of the ring.

Tie three sections of string or yarn at the bottom and add three pony beads. Slide the ends of a few feathers into the beads to hold on the end of each string.

Tie a loop of yarn at the top to hang.