A single pathway that can take many turns, spiritual renewal with a Labyrinth Meditation
Labyrinths an ancient archetype dating back 4,000 years or more, used symbolically as a walking meditation, and for personal, psychological, and spiritual transformation.
The term maze and labyrinth are often used interchangeably, it is often considered that to qualify as a maze, a design must have choices in the pathway including a variety of dead ends. So, the essential difference being a labyrinth has a direct single route.
Using a labyrinth for meditation is a great way to reduce anxiety by lowering blood pressure, controlled breathing and a sense of improved concentration and control over thoughts. Walking slowly, possibly chanting a mantra or repeating a prayer of what resonates with you and being open to your senses till you arrive at the centre, where you would pause to reflect, prey or listen to seek an answer to your question. Before returning the path to reflect and absorb the experience.
When you take a walk into a labyrinth, you are reviving an ancient spiritual custom, walking a labyrinth is a method of personal awakening no matter what your personal religious beliefs are.
The labyrinth originally designed and built by the legendary artificer Daedalus for King Minos of Crete at Knossos, to hold the Minotaur a mythical creature that was half man and half bull who needed to be fed on the youth of Athens. Daedalus had made the Labyrinth so cunningly, that he himself could barely escape it after he built it. Athenian hero Theseus, assisted by Ariadne, who provided him with a ball of thread so he could find his way out again, eventually killed the Minotaur by the Theseus.
Because meditation is an internal affair, you can carry out the labyrinth walk as a mental exercise, by using a large drawing of a labyrinth, and your index finger to trace the path.
I’ve been tempted to build one in my garden for some years, with either a lay down wooden structure or build a route using stones. I’m excited to see where this leads.
Here are Seven Steps of Labyrinth Meditation to consider whichever route you take…
Prepare to walk, where you clear your mind and open yourself to possibilities, where possible make physical preparation, such as removing shoes and watches and belongings. Slow your breathing. Still your mind. Think about your intentions for the experience: questions, affirmations, and feelings.
Beginning your journey, taking cleansing breaths and focusing attention with an affirmation. You may choose to bow or make another ritual gesture such as Ghasso or prayer to signal the beginning of their walk.
Walk the inward path, finding a measured pace whereby you are present with yourself in the moment, moving forward and releasing what is to put behind you, without particularly focusing on getting to the centre. Consciously take each step and be in the present moment of that step.
Spend time in the centre, being present in the moment in the inner sanctum and respecting other people’s boundaries and space. Take as long as you wish, stand, sit, kneel or lie down. This part of the journey is about being present and being still to your inner most self, and to the power of the divine. Caveat if you are in a public Labyrinth, please be mindful of respecting boundaries of others.
Taking the Return Path, walking back the way you came – reflecting on learnings. The return journey is just as important as the journey in and every other part of the labyrinth, don’t feel the need to rush and complete the process.
Leave and mentally close the labyrinth, imaging the closure of the labyrinth as a mental association to closing the meditation. As you started if you make a ritual gesture then please close with the same i.e. Namaste, Ghasso, prayer etc. Taking a few deep breaths and mentally closing the meditation session.
Reflect on the journey, deep breathing, and reflecting on the experience, closing with a ritual or gesture. Take some time to reflect on insights gained.
Even though the route to the centre may be the most complex, and winding of routes I hope that you can consider the exercise, for personal transformation but also inner peace.