Labyrinths are having a comeback! Many people are looking for meditation techniques for a labyrinth. Here is a walking meditation technique that is perfect to use in any labyrinth.
Do you know the difference between a labyrinth and a maze? A maze is designed to confuse you, and has many paths in and out and around. A labyrinth, on the other hand, has just one clear path to the center. When you walk a labyrinth, your path is always clear.
Why Use A Labyrinth?
This is the classical design for a labyrinth. It is often found in churches and cathedrals, and forms the design of the famous Chartres Labyrinth
For thousands of years, human beings have created the spiral paths that fold back on themselves within labyrinths for reasons ranging from decoration to art and myth. As well, the labyrinth has long been used as a creative or spiritual tool. If you have a problem, you can use the labyrinth to help solve it. If you have a need to discover spiritual meaning or find inspiration, a labyrinth can be put to service for you.
As a meditation tool consisting of a walkable single line path, a labyrinth can be a source of solace and can quieten a distracted or overreactive mind. When troubled by disturbing emotions or unfortunate events in your life, walking a labyrinth can help resolve your inner discomfort and still your mind enough for you to get clarity of what is going on. As a spiritual tool, both the calming and quietening effect and the metaphorical symbolism of the labyrinth as a pathway on a journey or a spiritual track can help you to ponder life’s greater mysteries. Original here.
Meditation Techniques For A Labyrinth
This is a Celtic labyrinth. It has a wonderful simple symmetry. It is the easiest labyrinth to create.
Stand in front of the entrance to the labyrinth. State your intention as clearly as possible. For example: I want a solution to my problem with … It could be anything that is troubling you
Center yourself by taking a couple of deep breaths. This is important because doing this you instruct your subconscious and all other parts of yourself to pay attention to your sincere wish of solving your problem.
Acknowledge your coming meditative or spiritual journey within the labyrinth. You may also say a short prayer or smudge yourself, depending on which faith you adhere to. Closing your eyes and reflecting or taking a simple bow are other nice ways to begin the process.
Decide whether you will walk barefoot or with shoes on. With bare feet, you can feel the texture of the earth beneath your feet and connect to its grounding force
Begin your walk. The first step sets the pace for your walk. It can be fast or slow. Choose your intention for the walk. Are you being spiritual, reflective, mindful, playful, creative or something else? If you’re problem solving, your walk becomes a meditation when you surrender all your problems and just walk. Other parts of you have now a chance to process your request of a solution.
If you are very upset: fast walking in lets the emotions dissipate easier. Most people try slowing down their mind by slower walking, relying on the mind and body reflection.
Continue to walk. Keep your mind quiet, and still pestering thoughts each time they arise. Concentrate on the placement of one foot before the other and rhythmic, gentle and regular breathing.
If you’re problem solving, walk as you didn’t have any problems at all, let it all go. Surrender to the activity of attentive walking. Let the burden (your problem) fall off your shoulders. Various parts of your being are now processing your wish for solution. All you have to do is to let it incubate and not interfere, let it be and let go of any expectations. Continue to walk as you didn’t have any problems at all, let it all go.
If you’re going on a spiritual journey or seeking creative inspiration, again let it all go and just surrender to the experience of walking the labyrinth.
Pause on reaching the center. You may stop here for awhile, sit or lay down if you feel like it and meditate or reflect. The main thing is to let yourself surrender totally to your inner process. It feels so good to have all the time you need.
If you don’t have a problem, question or quest for inspiration, just sit quietly and let things be.
Walk out. When you are ready, just walk out. Accept the insights and gifts you may have received. Adopting a sense of gratitude will always facilitate resolutions. Offer your thanks for what you have learned.
Even though this is one of the particular meditation techniques for a labyrinth, I’m sure you can see how you can adapt this meditation technique for virtually any walking meditation, just as long as your path is clear and safe.
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