April 5: Labyrinths

I went on another walk at the Tompson Street Reservation (my new favorite place for walking) with my walking buddy. The whole area is starting to remind me of a labyrinth, like the one she and I are constructing after our walks (more on that later).  The paths in the area remind me of a labyrinth because no matter where we happen to turn, we always end up able to get back to where we came from. All the paths seems to be circular, and we have not been able to really get lost, which is quite a comfort. That's one of the things that makes labyrinths so meditative; there's only one way to the center and one way out, meaning there is no way to get lost, even though the actual path has twists and turns and looks like a maze. 

During our walk this week, we took a different turn than last time and found a new little area where someone had constructed a ritualistic shrine (perhaps wiccan?) with a variety of different objects, surrounded by a metal cross and hand made brooms. It was creepy yet delightfully fascinating. We continued the walk and ended up finding our way back to two landmarks from last time: the boulder spray painted with the "Save the Bees" message, and the top of Sunset Hill with the amazing view. This week it was gloomy and overcast so the view was very different, but still delightful. We could see the rain cloud approaching in the distance, so we didn't linger. We thought we got back on the same trail we were on last time to get back to the cemetery, but we emerged at a very different spot, thankfully still in the cemetery, but that's when I started to get the feeling that this whole area is one big labyrinth. We made it back to my car just as the first raindrops began to fall. 

Back at my house, we continued working on our project, making our very own labyrinth. We are using canvas drop clothes as the base, and applying different colors of duct tape to it to make the path. It is a much more challenging project than I had originally anticipated, but it is starting to look absolutely amazing and I look forward to seeing the completed project. My friend will be using it at several different retreats she helps to lead, including ones for abused women, so I feel proud of what we are doing and delighted that it might be a helpful meditative practice for people who are hurting. 

The labyrinth we are making is a classical single-path (unicursal) design without branching or dead ends, and apparently this kind of design has been around for thousands of years. Look at this coin found in Greece dated to 400 BCE: 

In case you are curious, a typical labyrinth meditation consists four stages:

1. Remember. Before you enter the labyrinth, pause to focus on a specific event or situation or question you'd like to meditate on during the journey. 

2. Release. Walk to the center, quieting your mind, opening your heart, taking slow and steady breaths, and moving at your own pace. Look inside yourself and let the world beyond the path ahead of you fall away. It's not about the destination, it's about the journey. 

3. Receive. When you reach the center, stop and stay for as long as you'd like. This is a place of reflection. Listen to the small inner voice inside of you. In the safety of labyrinth, have a heart-to-heart talk with yourself. Decide if there's anything you'd like to let in, maybe a spiritual force or something more specific to your personal life. Take as much time as you need.

4. Return. When you are ready, begin walking out the same path you followed in. Experience a sense of well-being, healing, calm, or peace. Leave with a newfound sense of power and purpose, so that by the time you're outside of the labyrinth, you feel refreshed and ready to resume your everyday life. 

One of my most meaningful labyrinth experiences was when I was touring Harvard Divinity School and contemplating my acceptance, my future, my call to ministry, etc etc. HDS had a labyrinth in front of the main building, out in the parking lot area, and it was exactly what I needed at that specific time in my life. I am delighted to be able to share this experience with others with our portable labyrinth. 

With delight,

♥Jamie