We are all on the path... exactly where we need to be. The labyrinth is a model of that path.
Labyrinths have been in use for over 4000 years. Their design is an ancient symbol that relates to wholeness. It combines the imagery of the circle and the spiral into a meandering but purposeful path.
The Labyrinth represents a journey to our own center and back again out into the world.
Labyrinths have long been used as meditation and prayer tools. With a labyrinth we can have a direct experience. We can walk it. It is a metaphor for life's journey. It is a symbol that creates a sacred space and place and takes us out of our ego to "That Which Is Within."
Labyrinths can be thought of as symbolic forms of pilgrimage; people can walk the path, ascending toward salvation or enlightenment.
Whatever one's religion...walking the labyrinth clears the mind and gives insight. It calms people in the throes of life's transitions.
We extend an invitation to our guests to experience a sacred labyrinth walk.
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Walking the Labyrinth
1 Prepare to walk. Take some time to transition from your everyday life to the labyrinth experience. Remove your watch. Slow your breathing. Still your mind. Open yourself to possibilities. Think about, or write in a journal, your intentions for the experience: questions, affirmations, feelings.
2 Begin your journey. Pause at the entrance to the labyrinth to take a cleansing breath and focus your attention. You may ask a question, say a prayer or recite an affirmation. Some people choose to bow or make another ritual gesture to signal the beginning of their walk.
3 Walk the inward path. Put one foot in front of the other, and walk at a measured pace that is comfortable for you. On the way in, focus on letting go of things you want to leave behind and releasing things that stand in the way of your spiritual journey. Pause when you need to. Don't focus on the center as a goal; be present in each step of the inward path.
4 Spend time in the center. Take as long as you wish. You may stand, sit, kneel or lie down. This part of the journey is about being present to your inmost self and to the power of the divine.
5 Take the return path. When you are ready to leave the center, begin walking back the way you came. On this part of the journey, focus on what you will bring out from the center and back into your life. As before, pause when you need to. Resist the temptation to sprint to the finish line: the return journey is as important as every other part of the labyrinth.
6 Reflect on the journey. When you leave the labyrinth, you may pause make another gesture or say a prayer. Before leaving the area you may want to sit on the nearby bench and take some time to reflect on insights you've gained, or make notes in your journal to explore further later.
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