Labyrinths are ancient
patterns, which are enjoying a resurgence of
popularity as tools for walking meditation.
They have one path leading to and from the
center, which literally helps us find our center
and become centered. I initially was attracted
to the labyrinth because walking meditation
seemed tailor made for me as I could never sit
still and quiet my mind as traditional
meditative techniques suggest. It has
proven to be a very powerful tool for me on many
levels. One of those levels has been the
way the labyrinth metaphorically mirrors my life
and life patterns. I have seen that I walk
the labyrinth the way I live my life and if I
can walk as an observer, many of my life
patterns are revealed.
From the first time I
stepped onto/into a labyrinth, I was struck by
the twists and turns, which are also so common
in life. The center seemed so close as I
rounded a couple of turns. “I’ll be there
soon, this is quite fast and easy”, I thought.
Then I quickly found myself on the outer edge of
the winding design wondering how I got there and
when I would ever reach the center, which seemed
to elude me. You see I’ve been looking for
my center all my life with only fleeting moments
of connection. I soon realized my life’s
search for the center was playing itself out
right there on the labyrinth!
The ebb and flow of life’s
dance is so beautifully and effortlessly
choreographed on the labyrinth. People
walking parallel or on the same part of the path
soon are at opposite sides of the design.
Whole groups can be closely clustered together
in one part and then quickly spread all over the
path. Each person has a role and yet the
Divine Choreographer is in charge of the whole
production. A wonderful thing to
remember!!
Speaking of dancing, after
a couple of years of frequently walking the
labyrinth, I found myself dancing along the
paths rather than walking. Even though my
childhood dream was to be a prima all ballerina,
I hadn’t danced at all in recent years. I
believe I was being reminded how much dance
nurtures my soul and to bring more of it into my
life.
Once during a life
transition, I realized as I made the hairpin
turns on the labyrinth that I had no idea what
was waiting for me around the next turn and yet,
while on the labyrinth, I felt completely safe
and protected. Each time I step onto a
labyrinth I feel I’m stepping into the
outstretched arms of God/Goddess, All That Is to
be held and loved unconditionally. For me,
it’s a wonderful reminder that each step of my
journey, in fact my whole journey, is taken in
the arms of Spirit. So how can I fear the
next turn in my life if I’m walking in/on the
carpet of Spirit?
During the first year or
so, I would start to cry, feeling a deep longing
in my heart each time I stepped onto a
labyrinth. I finally realized that this
was my soul connection to labyrinths being
re-ignited, creating a feeling of “coming home”
to my soul through which I would find my
authentic self.
One symbolic way to
describe the spiritual journey taken while on
the labyrinth is through three phases:
1.
From the entrance to the center is a time of
surrendering, opening, letting go of whatever is
blocking our road to peace over a particular
situation/issue or in our life, in general.
2.
Thus we are open when we reach the center to
receive and experience enlightenment or
illumination through touching the light of
Spirit, God/Goddess, Source or our light within,
however each of us defines that.
3.
Once we’ve experienced enlightenment or
illumination, we retrace our steps on the path
exiting the labyrinth at the place of entry.
This phase of the journey is one of integrating
the light/guidance received and actively
bringing that light (I believe in the form of
our talents and passions) into the world to
serve others.
At one point in my life, I
loved being in the center of the labyrinth
wanting to stay there forever. The thought
of going back out into the world was most
unappealing. That was mirroring my life
feelings at the time. I had a deep need
for spiritual connection and wasn’t feeling very
safe “in the world”. I soon realized that
the journey isn’t over until I’ve brought the
light, strength, courage and joy I’ve received
from my connection with Spirit into the world to
do the service I‘ve been called to do with the
gifts I’ve been given.
Walking the labyrinth also
helps us reconnect to our natural rhythms, which
most of us have lost as we live at warp speed
these days. I saw how easily I could adapt
to the speed and rhythm of someone walking in
front of me, quickly releasing what was true and
comfortable for me rather than go through the
agonizing experience of passing them.
A frequent walker gained a
powerful insight when she realized that each
time someone walked toward her on the same path,
she immediately stepped off the path to let him
or her pass. She then frequently forgot to
step back on her path and therefore, got lost
(which we say you can’t do on the labyrinth).
She realized she had been relinquishing her
path/needs in favor of others for years which
was why she continued to feel lost and
disconnected from her own path.
Another pilgrim walked
directly out from the center of the labyrinth
without retracing the path. As she watched
others walk, she couldn’t understand why it took
them so long to complete their walks. She
soon realized that they were following the path
back out from the center. She admitted
that this was exactly how she lived her life –
never finishing anything.
Some people who don’t like
structure create their own paths, walking all
over the labyrinth in their own way or walking
straight to the center – “cutting to the chase”
– which is quite reflective of their life
patterns. A woman who had experienced many
losses in her life found that she felt a wall
before her as she approached every turn.
As she reflected on this, she realized that many
turning points in her life had been very painful
and that the wall was her fear of what was to
come. She experienced profound healing
during her walk as she felt the love and
protection of God with her on her journey.
A young woman who was
using a finger labyrinth recently called me to
ask about some of the feelings she was
experiencing. She said she frequently felt
compelled to stop at various points on the
labyrinth, most often at the turns. I
asked if she was experiencing any transitions in
her life. She said she had just had a baby
and was moving into a new home that week.
I suggested that she use journaling, drawing,
painting, etc. as wonderful ways to gain clarity
about what the feelings, images, memories, etc
that arise during time on the labyrinth can
mean.
It is important to say
that all insights gained don’t feel great at
first. A woman came to me in tears after
her walk to say that all she felt during her
walk was rage and a strong desire to push
everyone else off the path. She was very
distraught with these feelings and clearly
judging her experience as “wrong” because she
thought everyone else was enjoying himself or
herself. After questioning her, she
revealed that there was much to be angry about
in her life whereby I encouraged her to stay
with her feelings. I believe they were
coming up at the perfect time for her to feel
them and process what was going on. I have
learned to trust the perfect timing of whatever
is shown to me on the labyrinth and to remember
that this container provides endless ways to
process and gain insights into my life/spiritual
journey and release patterns that no longer
serve me. All that is asked of me is
to have faith, be present and put one foot in
front of the other!
Spirit Matters
Judith Joyce
4507 Main Street
Waitsfield, VT 05673
802-496-9237; FAX:
802-496-9238
E-mail:
jmjoyce@spirit-matters.com
Website:
http://www.spirit-matters.com
Copyright
© by Spirit Matters, 2000
