Walking the labyrinth is more about the journey than the destination (there’s no tricks or traps — we know we are going to get to the center); it is about BEING rather than doing, integrating body, mind and spirit into Oneness.

There is a lot of confusion and misperception out there about labyrinths … so we just wanted to take a moment to clear things up! Here are a few quick facts:

  • Labyrinths have been around for over 4,000 years and are found in just about every major religious tradition in the world.
  • Many people confuse a labyrinth with a maze. There’s a big difference! A maze has dead ends, false turns, and attempts to mislead. A labyrinth on the other hand  has only one path leading to the center and back out again. There are no dead ends and no false trails.
  • When you walk a labyrinth, you follow a path of circular trails that eventually lead you to the center. As you shift your direction, you also shift your awareness from right brain to left brain, creating a sense of receptivity and balance.
  • There is no one right way to walk the labyrinth! Each person’s walk is a personal experience. Some people use the walk for clearing the mind and centering. Others enter with a question or concern. The time in the center can be used for receiving, reflecting, meditating, or praying, as well as discovering your own sacred inner space. What each person receives can be integrated on the walk out. Your walk can be a healing and sometimes very profound experience or it can be just a pleasant walk. Each time is different.
  • Labyrinths are truly sacred places. The design itself is inherently powerful. The space and the experience of walking it are also very sacred and powerful and help us feel a greater sense of Oneness. It is a tool for people of all beliefs to come together for a common spiritual experience.

How to Walk the Labyrinth

 

There are as many different ways to walk the labyrinth as there are people who walk them. The journey is different for everyone, because each person brings his or her own personal purpose to the labyrinth. You can walk meditatively; you can use it to discover solutions to life situations you are facing; you can walk for inner peace and relaxation; or you can simply use it to access a sense of joy.

As you walk, most people prefer to remain silent, and walk with a calm, relaxed pace. You may want to allow time for personal meditation/relaxation at various stop points along the way, as well as when you arrive at the center. You may notice a heightened awareness through your senses (sounds, scents, tactile). Unexpected emotions or thoughts may arise as you walk; be gentle and kind with yourself, and just “be” with whatever comes up, allowing Spirit to work within you to guide your understanding and wisdom.

A Basic Walking Exercise

Before you begin your walk, think of a question or concern you would like to receive clarity about. Take a few deep  breaths, and clear your mind of conscious thought, then enter the labyrinth.  Walk mindfully through the labyrinth, paying attention to the thoughts and feelings that come up for you. Do not process anything — just notice what you are thinking and experiencing. Pause when you reach the center, and listen to your inner Spirit for answers and insights. When you feel ready, begin your mindful walk out of the labyrinth. Once again,  attention to your emotions and feelings as you walk, and especially as you  emerge from the labyrinth. Celebrate your experience, and if you desire, you may want to spend some time journaling after your walk.

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