Focus, quiet and practice are important in meditation as well as in origami, and because of this, the two work together in synergy. Take origami animals, such as a simple crane, and practice making it until it becomes second nature to you; as though you could do it blindfolded. While you are doing this, you will be entirely focused on the task at hand, which is making the crane. This is just one way to attain a meditative state.

When building origami animals, as with meditation, you must free your mind of outside distractions. Concentrate on each fold and crease that you make until you enter a state of inner peace and calm. The essence of mediation is to clear your mind and focus solely on what is before you. In this way, origami and meditation are two halves that complete the whole.

Want to make an origami crane? These few steps instruct you on how to make a crane with beautiful wings. First you will need a square piece of craft or Japanese paper, and the smaller the sheet, the smaller the final crane will be. If you have a sheet that is colored on one side, then begin with the sheet face down (white side down) on your work surface. Start by folding one corner to meet the other diagonally, thus forming a rectangle. Now open the sheet up and lay it out flat again. Fold it diagonally so that the white side is out. Line up each corner to get a triangle. Now then, open up the sheet of craft paper.

Lay the paper with the white side up and bring in the side corners, while bringing the top corner down to get a square. With the open sides pointing downward, fold one corner of the square so that the edge is lined up perfectly with the center line, and repeat this step with the other flap. Now flip the model over and repeat this step on the back side flaps. What you have now looks similar to a kite.

Fold the top flap of the “kite” down and crease it hard with your fingernail. Next fold it the same way but in the opposite direction, making a sharp crease. Next, things get a little tricky. You will open up one side, and lay it flat. Lift the top flap of the “kite” on the open end and fold it upwards, bringing in the sides and lay flat to get a diamond shape. Flip over the model and repeat on the other side.

Next you will fold two of the flaps over and then repeat this step on the other lower flap. Fold one flap over and lay it flat so that each side is lined up and the points are up. Now you will fold the top flap down to reveal one wing. Flip over and repeat. Invert one of the upper tips like this to form a bowing head. Pull back the other tip slightly to form the crane’s tail. Now gently pull the wings apart to “inflate” the body.

Don’t forget that less can be more in meditation and with making origami animals. Just a simple focus or thought can lead you into a deep relaxation, as can working on an origami diagram like a crane. As time goes by, creating a crane will become another aspect of your meditation.