A walking meditation.
A healing vortex of energy.
In the Middle Ages, walking a cathedral labyrinth was a substitute for going on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. It was way too dangerous or too far for the pilgrims to visit the holy land so they would build these labyrinths at their cathedrals to take a symbolic pilgrimage. This path (the road to Jerusalem) leads to the middle (the destination). So walking a labyrinth in a church was a devotional activity. Today meandering labyrinths are often used as walking meditations, to focus the mind and put the walker in tune with the greater reality that it represents.
The seven circuits of the Cretan labyrinth correspond with the seven spheres of the sacred planets, the seven principles of the human being and the cosmos, the seven days of the week, and other such sevenfold meanings. Passing to the center of the labyrinth and returning to its circumference represents the involution and evolution of the universe, the coming into birth and the passing out of earthly life of an individual, and–most important–a journey into the center of our own being, the achievement there of a quest for wholeness, and the subsequent return to our divine source.
The winding pattern of any labyrinth also represents the circulation of vital energies within our bodies, and that pattern suggests the convolutions of the brain and the intestines–two poles of our body corresponding to our consciousness and its physical vehicle. To traverse the labyrinth is to bring into one wholeness all parts of our being. Walking the labyrinth is thus a type of Yoga.
- Focus: Stand at the entrance. Become quiet ask your question, asking for guidance for your next step on your life journey. Give acknowledgement through a nod, or other gesture and then enter.
- Experience: Walk slowly and mindfully. When you reach the center, stay there and just be in silence for several moments. Breath, listen, feel, open yourself up to receive what it is that you need.
Jo Leath
“The most ancient labyrinth comes to us from Greek mythology. Built on the island of Crete it was the place where Theseus of Athens defeated the monstrous Minotaur which lived at the center. Ariadne, daughter of the Cretan king, loved Theseus and provided him with one end of a silver thread while she retained the other. In this way he maintained a connexion with safety at all times. The symbols of this story are easily evoked in modern labyrinths for each of us *is* a labyrinth. Our Spiritual quest moves us along the path. Like Theseus we learn what we need to know in order to overcome the fears and doubts and self-defeating ideas that occupy space within us. We are loved, not only in the human realm as Ariadne and Theseus loved each other, also from outside our own experience. Our very breath connects us with that great Cosmic Love as surely as the thread held Theseus to Ariadne. When you walk the path to explore your own questions or problems or to reflect in gratitude and celebration this path will hold you in an embrace of love: human love, self love and most especially the Divine Love of the Cosmic Source.”
Carol Adams
“Your Life is a sacred journey. And it is about change, growth, discovery, movement, transformation, continuously expanding your vision to what is possible, stretching your soul, learning to see clearly and deeply, listening to your intuition, taking courageous challenges at every step of the way. You are on the path … exactly where you are meant to be right now … And from here, you can only go forward, sharing your life story into a magnificent tale of triumph, of healing of courage, of beauty, of wisdom, of power, of dignity, and of love.”
- Exit: Turn and face the entrance. Allow yourself to receive; absorb answers, healing, peace etc.
- Reflect: Give yourself time to sit quietly and reflect on your experience. Sit in nature, journaling or draw out pictures to own your experience.
- Give thanks.