I’m walking a labyrinth with some friends next week. I love this meditative practice. It models how we move through life in faith.
Unlike a maze, there are no wrong turns in a labyrinth. Yes, there are twists and turns, but the path leads unerringly to the center. You cannot get lost. So you can be confident that the path you are on will take you where you want to go. And yet, how it will get you there is unclear. The winding path defies your efforts map the course. In fact, taking your eyes off the path to look too far ahead will only confuse you. Your attention needs to be on the path under your feet so you can see where the next step is.
You settle into the rhythm of walking, one step at a time, until the path opens up into the spacious center. There, you rest as long as you like. And then you move back onto the path, which now leads you back into the world, bringing with you the deep peace of the center.
When we live our life like a labyrinth walk, we trust our inner guidance to lead us. We live in mindful awareness of the present moment, patient until the next moment reveals our way. We release our need to control, our attachment to certainty, our fear of failing. Our inner wisdom will guide us on our path of destiny to an awakened remembrance of who we are, who we’ve always been. As many times as we forget, the labyrinth path will return us to our center, and from that center we move through our lives, in trust, at peace, with joy.
Have you ever walked a labyrinth? What was your experience of it? If you haven’t yet, then maybe you would like to give it a try. I found this World-Wide Labyrinth Locator if you need help finding one.
Fascinating. I have never been to a labyrinth but know I would love the experience. I used the locator you included and found four within a few miles on my home. It sounds like a perfect addition to my daily meditation.
I’m glad the locator worked. I tried it for a few locations and was surprised to find so many options. I look forward to hearing about your experience. Thanks for commenting, Bob.
Hi Galen,
I am in Washington on retreat right now. This morning I walked a three spiral labyrinth for the first time. It was a completely different experience. On the one hand, it felt more true to life in that you would reach one center and then come back out again and move toward a new center. on the other hand, I found it slightly unnerving and that there wasn’t one true center to move toward and from. Either way, these labyrinth experiences are deep and powerful.
I never heard of a three spiral labyrinth. I looked up some images. Wow. I see what you mean about not having one true center. I wonder how that changes your experience. Thanks for sharing this different labyrinth design, Brian. Hope you are enjoying your retreat.
Hi Galen (Prof!)! I always get a smile and some fresh air from your blog. I like your new digital digs and your new book of ambidextrous prayers! Thank you for being you!
So nice to hear from you Jessica! And thank you for the kind words. I really appreciate it. Glad you like the website and the new book. Email me and catch me up on your news! Thanks for commenting.
Wow, the serendipity! I read another post about walking the labyrinth yesterday and was curious–and found a printable version of one that could be used to trace my finger across it, as a meditative practice. I’ve done the maze before (on paper) and remembered it suddenly.
And now, finding your post seems so wonderful, Galen. Do write about your experience with photos, please! We don’t have any here in India that I know of, unless one considers the streets that are labyrinths and only cause stress 🙂
That serendipity does not surprise me, Vidya. We are on different continents, but we are often on the same page! I have a couple of finger labyrinths and I like them very much. As for one that you can actually walk, you might try that locater link I included at the end of the post. I experimented with a few cities in India and found labyrinths, so I bet you could find one near you if you are interested. No, the winding streets don’t count — ha! Let me know if you find one and try it out.
I’ve never walked a labyrinth but am inspired to do so. Walking in trust is an effort some days. I find your words calming. Finding my center so I can move through life in trust, at peace, with joy may very well become a vision statemtn.
Like I suggested to Vidya in the comment above, you can use that locater link at the end of the post if you are interested in finding a labyrinth near you. Let me know if you find one and try it out. A vision statement — what a wonderful idea. Thanks for commenting, Mona.
I’ve walked a Labyrinth many times. The first was shortly after my mom died. As you say it was very soothing. I walked a second time when I was testing for my black belt and it was harder. In part because of the number of people around (not all of whom took it very seriously) but I was still glad that I did it. The times after that are each remarkable but you are inspiring me to do it again. Thank you!
Have you walked the one at The Grotto? Let’s do it together!