WALKING THE LABYRINTH
Have you ever walked a labyrinth? My first experience with a labyrinth was in May 2023 while I was attending the Gathering Of The Shaman Retreat in Sedona, Arizona. The concept of a labyrinth was very new to me but I was immediately intrigued by it. I decided to walk it without truly understanding what its purpose was or the ‘proper’ way to walk it.
As I plant my feet step by step, it feels as if the burdens and stress that I was carrying with me slowly started to release with each step too. Thoughts and insights began to flow to me. I was surprised by them.
The labyrinth has only one way in and one way out so you can fully concentrate on simply following the waves and curves of the path without worrying about being lost. I eventually came to the center of the labyrinth and found myself just standing in the center of it all, soaking it in. I then embarked on my path out of the labyrinth. The path that took me in was the same path that brought me out but the version of me that walked in and the version of me that walked out has somehow shifted and changed.
A fellow participant later explained how to best benefit from the labyrinth. I went back to the labyrinth every day while I was at the retreat. I had the great fortune of finding a labyrinth near me upon my return home and I walk it often. I will share below some ways that I use the labyrinth.
WHAT DO WE USE THE LABYRINTH FOR?
A labyrinth can be used for prayer, walking meditation or spiritual or personal contemplation
HOW DO WE START OUR LABYRINTH WALK?
Always start your walk with an open heart and an open mind. I like to place my hands in the space of my heart. Depending on my purpose of the walk, I then state it either out loud or in my heart. Intentions matter. Always state your intentions.
WAYS TO USE THE LABYRINTH
GAINING CLARITY
If you are seeking clarity in any area of your life, speak what you are trying to gain clarity about out loud or in your mind before walking the labyrinth.
FINDING PURPOSE
Perhaps you are feeling a little lost and wondering what your purpose in life is. You can use the labyrinth to see if you can gain any insights.
HEALING FOR YOURSELF
You can walk the labyrinth asking for your own emotional, spiritual, and physical healing
PEACE AND HEALING FOR THE WORLD AND OTHERS
We often feel helpless when the world or those close to us are hurting. We have no idea how we can help or support them. One way is through the power of your loving and compassionate heart for their healing. As you walk, you simply set the intention of your walk to bring them peace and healing.
RELEASE AND LETTING GO
Use the labyrinth to help release or let go of anythingyou continue to hold on to that you are having a hard time releasing.
CENTER OF THE LABYRINTH
By the time you arrive at the center of the labyrinth, you will most probably have gain some insights or even answers to what you brought into the labyrinth. Take some time in the center of the labyrinth to meditate and send gratitude. Spend as much time as you need before heading back out.
LEAVING THE LABYRINTH
Now that you have received insights and answers for yourself, you allow your walk out the labyrinth to help you integrate and process what you have understood for yourself. You carry the wisdom; the insights and the lessons and carry them back into the world after you exit the labyrinth
HERE ARE SOME LABYRINTHS YOU CAN FIND IN THE CSRA (CENTRAL SAVANNAH RIVER AREA)
HOPELAND GARDENS (AIKEN, SC) - https://www.visitaikensc.com/walking-the-labyrinth-at-hopelands-gardens-a-journey-of-reflection-and-peace/
SAINT BARTHOLOMEW’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH (NORTH AUGUSTA, SC) - https://labyrinthlocator.org/labyrinth/saint-bartholomews-episcopal-church-2/445/
UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHURCH OF AUGUSTA (AUGUSTA,GA) - https://labyrinthlocator.org/labyrinth/unitarian-universalist-church-of-augusta/438/
Labyrinth at SEDONA MAGO CENTER
This was the first labyrinth I ever walked