Labyrinth Walking
Labyrinth Walking
Before: When the labyrinth is set up, whether on a canvass or taped to the floor, leaders may wish to do a ceremony of prayer, symbolically sweeping the area, opening this space for those who will come into the presence of the Holy Spirit. A gong or tone bar is useful as a signal for the next person to enter but not necessary.
Introduction
A labyrinth walk is a walking meditation.
There is no one way to walk to walk a labyrinth. These are suggestions:
Before you step in, pray for the presence of the Spirit, as in all things. If you are concerned about anything, or have a specific question, bring that to mind, but do not dwell upon it. You might recall a line or phrase from Psalms. Be open to other insights.
Remove your shoes. Take a deep breathe. Honor the labyrinth in some way, with a nod or bow or prayer hands. Clasp your hands either in front of or behind you. Step in, leaving a good break between you and the person before you. Walk slowly and mindfully. If your labyrinth has other symbols within it or not, you may wish to pause at times.
As you go inward, briefly review any concerns, or give thought to what you are grateful for in your life. At the center, rest. As you exit, exert no effort in thought but be attentive.
Others may pass you, going in or out. Simply return to your path when that is possible.
If you need to leave the path without finishing, do not worry about that. Simply walk off.
While others are walking, you have an important part as “witness.” Sit quietly along the perimeter, so that others may have their own experience without distraction from you.
When all have finished, let there be silence for a few minutes. The leader may facilitate conversation. Every experience is unique, and no one is required to participate. Surprisingly, insights may come hours or even days later!
“Does anyone wish to share about her experience?”
After:
A few years ago I did my first labyrinth walk, which I was so excited about to share with others. When I completed that first walk, I thought, “So what?” Then a few hours’ later insights flowed in! It is a metaphor for Life, for birth and death cycles, for walking with companions, and so many other ideas.
I ask myself now, how does this work? This is my insight.
We each become accustomed to our energy patterns and habits, uniquely ours. I think to voluntarily walk a labyrinth is to disrupt one’s energy patterns just a little, then rest, then a little more. There is just enough disruption to allow in new thoughts, and if the walker has meditated on some particular problem or scripture or prayer, then that is where the insight comes into. The same thing happens when we listen well to a sermon or pep talk or health class, and take it to heart, but those ideas come from outside sources. Our teachers, whoever they are, including TV, books, movies, etc., influence us when we allow it. The labyrinth puts you in touch with yourself.
As with happens riding on a merry go round too much, one suffers from too much of a good thing! Once I walked the Labyrinth four times in one day, which resulted in headache and upset stomach. That such a thing would be so is probably obvious to others, but I learned it the hard way! It throws off the internal gyroscope that we each have. So a labyrinth walk once in a while is a good thing, but repetitions too close together are probably NOT! I am now re-centered, but I thought I ought to caution you, who experienced the labyrinth walk, not to overdo at some future time. Many want to do it again, right away, but it is best used with caution.
Other walks nearby: at various times and places announced in the newspaper in the Religion section. Visit website Labyrinth Co. to purchase designs printed on material suitable for groundwork in a garden.
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Comments & Questions? Email: womenbefriends@yahoo.com
Before: When the labyrinth is set up, whether on a canvass or taped to the floor, leaders may wish to do a ceremony of prayer, symbolically sweeping the area, opening this space for those who will come into the presence of the Holy Spirit. A gong or tone bar is useful as a signal for the next person to enter but not necessary.
Introduction
A labyrinth walk is a walking meditation.
There is no one way to walk to walk a labyrinth. These are suggestions:
Before you step in, pray for the presence of the Spirit, as in all things. If you are concerned about anything, or have a specific question, bring that to mind, but do not dwell upon it. You might recall a line or phrase from Psalms. Be open to other insights.
Remove your shoes. Take a deep breathe. Honor the labyrinth in some way, with a nod or bow or prayer hands. Clasp your hands either in front of or behind you. Step in, leaving a good break between you and the person before you. Walk slowly and mindfully. If your labyrinth has other symbols within it or not, you may wish to pause at times.
As you go inward, briefly review any concerns, or give thought to what you are grateful for in your life. At the center, rest. As you exit, exert no effort in thought but be attentive.
Others may pass you, going in or out. Simply return to your path when that is possible.
If you need to leave the path without finishing, do not worry about that. Simply walk off.
While others are walking, you have an important part as “witness.” Sit quietly along the perimeter, so that others may have their own experience without distraction from you.
When all have finished, let there be silence for a few minutes. The leader may facilitate conversation. Every experience is unique, and no one is required to participate. Surprisingly, insights may come hours or even days later!
“Does anyone wish to share about her experience?”
After:
A few years ago I did my first labyrinth walk, which I was so excited about to share with others. When I completed that first walk, I thought, “So what?” Then a few hours’ later insights flowed in! It is a metaphor for Life, for birth and death cycles, for walking with companions, and so many other ideas.
I ask myself now, how does this work? This is my insight.
We each become accustomed to our energy patterns and habits, uniquely ours. I think to voluntarily walk a labyrinth is to disrupt one’s energy patterns just a little, then rest, then a little more. There is just enough disruption to allow in new thoughts, and if the walker has meditated on some particular problem or scripture or prayer, then that is where the insight comes into. The same thing happens when we listen well to a sermon or pep talk or health class, and take it to heart, but those ideas come from outside sources. Our teachers, whoever they are, including TV, books, movies, etc., influence us when we allow it. The labyrinth puts you in touch with yourself.
As with happens riding on a merry go round too much, one suffers from too much of a good thing! Once I walked the Labyrinth four times in one day, which resulted in headache and upset stomach. That such a thing would be so is probably obvious to others, but I learned it the hard way! It throws off the internal gyroscope that we each have. So a labyrinth walk once in a while is a good thing, but repetitions too close together are probably NOT! I am now re-centered, but I thought I ought to caution you, who experienced the labyrinth walk, not to overdo at some future time. Many want to do it again, right away, but it is best used with caution.
Other walks nearby: at various times and places announced in the newspaper in the Religion section. Visit website Labyrinth Co. to purchase designs printed on material suitable for groundwork in a garden.
br>
---------------------------------------------------
Comments & Questions? Email: womenbefriends@yahoo.com
posted by MJS at 1:25 PM
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