Labyrinth Walking: Create Your Unique Experience
A labyrinth is an ancient symbol of wholeness, using the combination of circles and spirals to represent a journey to our core center of Beingness, followed by a return into the world of 'skin school.' There are as many different ways to walk a labyrinth as there are individuals. When we walk the labyrinth, we discover our sacred inner space, deepen our self-knowledge, and empower our creativity.
Walking the labyrinth clears our mind and gives insight into our life journey. It calms those in the throes of transition, and helps us see our life situations the context of a path. We realize we are not humans on a spiritual path, but rather spiritual beings on a human path.
Walking the labyrinth inspires action, stirs creative fires, brings solace and peace, calls up solutions to life issues. It can be peaceful, contemplative, joyous, or penetrating. The journey is different for everyone, as we each bring different raw material to the labyrinth. We bring our uniqueness, our questions, our expectations, and are able to depart with a greater sense of oneness, increased understanding, and enhanced clarity.
Walking the labyrinth is more about the journey than the destination (we know we are going to get to the center); it is about being rather than doing, integrating body, mind, and spirit into Oneness.
Labyrinth at Unity Village, 2009, photo by Cher Holton
What is a Labyrinth?
A labyrinth is a single path tool for personal, psychological, and spiritual transformation. It is a structure containing an intricate network of winding passages designed to wander through it without getting lost or confused. The true labyrinth has no false pathways or dead ends to baffle or frustrate those who follow its winding path.
There are specific elements of every labyrinth:
- The mouth is where you enter.
- The paths or circuits are the areas where you walk.
- The walls keep you on the path. They are typically low, often created from stones or even simply painted onto the labyrinth foundation. Rather than walls to enclose you, the walls of a labyrinth are suggestive boundaries to help you keep your focus.
- The goal is in the heart of the labyrinth (the center). When you reach it, you have gone half the way. This is a spot to pause, reflect, and prepare for the second half of your experience. You leave the heart of the labyrinth the same way you entered, following the path leading to the exit.
- The exit is the same as the same spot (the mouth) where you entered. However, you are leaving the labyrinth as a different person than when you entered.
How to Walk the Labyrinth
Maintain a relaxed pace and allow adequate time for meditation / relaxation while at the center. Each movement entering and departing should be controlled, focused, and typically done in silence. Allow your other senses (sight, hearing, smell, touch) to be heightened throughout each stage of the experience. At the conclusion of the walk of the labyrinth, you should experience a sense of being centered, having a strong energy flow, and conscious of a clear and relaxed mental state.
People have different experiences walking the labyrinth. As with all practices of prayer or meditation, your experience will grow and deepen the more you do it. Just as there is no one right way to walk the labyrinth, there is no "right" experience. Some people feel a sense of peace. Others find old memories rising up as they walk. Others find themselves thinking about an immediate situation or person. Others walk at varying speeds as different thoughts and emotions come and go.
Some people experience physical sensations, perhaps become light-headed, or have a feeling of floating above, a feeling of weight, or of great warmth. Some people have profound insights. Others have very small experiences or none at all. The experience of walking the labyrinth is different for each person, each time. Whatever you experience, it is your experience. Relax and see what happens.
A Unique Experience:
Drumming the Labyrinth
As part of a World Day of Prayer experience when we were ministers at Unity In Greensboro, NC, we installed a portable labyrinth and allowed opportunities for people to walk during the two days of activities. during one time slot, our drumming circle began drumming. This inspired people to walk , dance, and chant as they walked the labyrinth -- and the result was stunning and inspiring! It proved there is absolutely no one set of rules for labyrinth walking! the sky's the limit!
A Basic Walking Experience
This basic walking experience offers a simple way for you to enjoy your labyrinth walk.
- Think of a question or concern, clear your mind of conscious thought, and just walk mindfully through the labyrinth.
- Feel the inherent power in the sacred design and notice how you feel when you reach the center.
- Pause in the center, and listen to your inner Spirit for answers and insights.
- When you feel ready, begin your mindful walk out of the labyrinth.
- Pay attention to your emotions and feelings as you walk, and especially as you emerge from the labyrinth.
Photo by Cher Holton
The Labyrinth as a Method of Problem Solving
The three basic parts of the labyrinth are the entrance, the circuits, and the center. Pause at the entrance and think of a problem or concern. It is important that you stay open to receiving a solution. The labyrinth is entered on circuit number 3. When you have your issue clearly identified, begin your silent walk into the labyrinth. Walk at a slow pace, not stopping until you reach the center.
Each path is associated with a feeling or attitude about the problem or concern.
As you walk, focus your attention on the following:
- Circuit 3 - Explore what "you “think" about the problem.
- Circuit 2 - Explore what you “feel" about the problem.
- Circuit 1 - Explore how this problem affects you in your physical world. (i.e. money, possessions, health).
- Circuit 4 - How does this affect your spiritual life? Does it aid in spiritual growth? Does it inhibit spiritual growth?
- Circuit 7 - Ask your Higher Self/God to walk with you. Place the problem in the hands of your Higher Self/God and be thankful.
- Circuit 6 - Ask for vision — a solution to your problem. When it comes, accept it without judgment. Accept the idea of a solution that you have been given.
- Circuit 5 - Ask yourself, "What is the first step?" Let it come.
Goal (Center) - This is the place for just pausing and letting the solution you have been given settle in. Just be with it. This is the first half of your walk.
- Circuit 5 - Look at the first step you were given with non-judgment.
- Circuit 6 - Keep looking at answer you were given in a non-judgmental way.
- Circuit 7 - Thank your Higher Self/God for giving you this awareness.
- Circuit 4 - How will this solution affect your spiritual life? Will it help you grow or inhibit you?
- Circuit 1 - How will this solution affect your physical life —your body, your health?
- Circuit 2 - How does this solution make you feel?
- Circuit 3 - What do you think about the solution? If it still just doesn't seem like the right solution, try walking again later! You might try asking the question in a little different way.
At the entrance to the labyrinth, turn and give thanks for the guidance you received. Notice how you feel as you emerge from the labyrinth. Use the labyrinth as a helpful tool for growth!
Photo 124949672 © David Edelman | Dreamstime.com
No Time to Walk a Labyrinth? No Problem! Use a Finger Labyrinth!
A finger labyrinth is similar to a full sized labyrinth you would walk except it is on a much smaller and more portable scale. You walk it with your finger, by tracing the path to the center (heart) of the labyrinth using your finger rather than with your feet.
Looking for a Finger Labyrinth to use? Here is one you can download and print -- you can even color it as a meditative activity all its own!
A finger labyrinth is similar to a full sized labyrinth you would walk except it is on a much smaller and more portable scale. You walk it with your finger, by tracing the path to the center (heart) of the labyrinth using your finger rather than with your feet.
Looking for a Finger Labyrinth to use? Here is one you can download and print -- you can even color it as a meditative activity all its own!