Walking the Labyrinth

THE LABYRINTH

The labyrinth is an ancient pattern found in many cultures around the world. Labyrinth designs were found on pottery, tablets and tiles that date as far back as 5000 years. Many patterns are based on spirals and circles mirrored in nature. In Native American tradition, the labyrinth is identical to the Medicine Wheel and Man in the Maze. The Celts described the labyrinth as the Never Ending Circle. It is also known as the Kabala in mystical Judaism. One feature labyrinths have in common is that they have one path that winds in a circuitous way to the center. It symbolizes our spiritual journey, the inward and outward turns are, unlike a maze, deliberate in design - there are no dead ends or decisions to be made. One can trust that the path leads to the center and back out again.

WHY WALK THE LABYRINTH

The world surrounds us. Noise, busyness abound. Finding time to be still to hear your internal wisdom is becoming harder and harder. The labyrinth can help us “reconnect” to the Spirit within and to feel Presence in the midst of this chaotic and noisy world.

STEPS TO WALKING THE LABYRINTH

As you move towards the labyrinth . . . Stop, take a deep breath, relax . . . Prepare for the journey you are about to begin.
• Before your walk – Remember
A time be grateful and thankful for your life and the people in it. If there’s a specific event or situation troubling you, bring it to mind and form a healing question if possible.
• Walk inward – Release
A time to cast off, discard, divest, unwrap, forget . . . to release and to quiet . . .
• In the Center – Receive – Have an open heart/open mind, no expectations
A time to be open, expectant, empty, naked and to receive.
• Walk back out – Return –Reflect on insights that have been given to you
A time to gain direction, satisfaction, vision, comfort and new energy, to take what insights were gained back out into the world.

HOW TO WALK THE LABYRINTH
The following suggestions may help you gain the most of your experience:

  • Walk with an open heart and an open mind.

  • Walk without expectations. Every walk is different.

  • Remain in the center as long as you wish, then follow the path back out in the same manner.

  • Remember - The walk is a metaphor for your spiritual journey and/or your life’s journey.

  • Pay attention to what happens to you on the labyrinth.

  • Walk at your own pace.

  • When you meet others on the path, simply allow them to pass. If you wish, you may pass around others ahead of

    you.

  • “Experience your Experience.”

CANVAS LABYTINTH

The Lilies Project sponsored three labyrinths designed by Nathan Wiles, Innate Creations, LLC, for the Southeastern Stokes County community. This information is written by Nathan Wiles. Training information is available through The Lilies Project and Veriditas.

Visit the labyrinths at: