| The Labyrinth |
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| What is a labyrinth? I had the chance recently to walk a labyrinth, not sure of this answer myself. But what I found was extrordinary! A labyrinth is a single path (unicursal) tool for personal, psychological and spiritual transformation. They are right brain activity enhancers. In other words, a labyrinth is not a maze. It has no dead ends, and no tricks. It is simply a path, usually circular in design that is waked at a slow pace, while looking down, focusing on your footsteps. Basically it is a walking prayer or meditation. The labyrinth is a divine imprint found in various forms in all spiritual traditions. The picture above is of the Chartes Layrinth from the Chartes Cathedral in France built in about 1220 AD. There is no right way to walk a labyrinth. As you allow yourself to surrender to the path, you will find your own place and posture. You may "pass" people or let others step around you. As you walk into the labyrinth, you may meet people walking out. It is customary to just let these people move past you. Generally, those entering the labyrinth have the right of way. Experiences on the labyrinth can range from deeply transforming encounters with the higher self or God to an "exercise" that is interesting and unique. Most peole experience a blend of the two. You should enter the labyrinth with little or no expectations, just being open to the experience and what it has to offer you. As you walk the labyrinth, you will experience generally three phases of experience. Walking in, you will experience the "shedding" of the details of your life. Gently relaxing and allowing the experience to flow over you. If you enter the labyrinth with a question on your mind, or seeking insights on a problem or subject, you may find you begin to recieve answers during the walk towards the center rosette. Once you reach the center rosette, you may take a moment of "receiving" where you may sit or stand and gently meditate, a brief pause to listen. This is often when the most profound moments of healing and fulfillment occur. As you begin your exit of the center rosette and enter the path out of the labyrinth, you begin the union phase or the "empowerment" time when you bring with you the power and insights you have received. This power readies you to do your work in the world in a new and enlightened way. The labyrinth is being used in several areas of healing. Many hospitals, including many of the top cancer treatment centers are utilizing the labyrinth in their care of the patients and families. It is also being used in some treatments of autistic children and children suffering from ADHD. In any use, it is a very spiritually healing and enightening way to spend 30 or 45 minutes of your day. I am trying to talk my husband into designing a labyrinth in our back yard so we can have access to one all the time. So far, I'm still working on him, but maybe someday I'll have one. ; -) If you hear of a labyrinth in your town or community, please go check it out. You won't be dissapointed. Some churches are open to letting people come in and walk their labyrinths. Why not call around and see if one is near you? |
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