release. (breathe.) receive. accept.

"the labyrinth is truly a tool for transformation. it invites our intuitive, pattern-seeking, symbolic mind to come forth. our own life experience, our role in the cosmic dance, is the raw material for the sacred ritual of walking the labyrinth."

-reverend doctor lauren artress

~~~~~~~

two weeks ago, a childhood friend and i went on a road trip. a sojourn to the redsun labyrinth in victor, montana.

the labyrinth is based on an 800-year-old pattern, found in the floor of the chartres cathedral in france.

a place of possibility. a walking meditation.

a labyrinth is seen as a representation of our path through life. an ancient symbol that exemplifies wholeness. as you walk the labyrinth, you are advised to be mindful of your life's goal. to allow connection to your center.

metaphors abound in the literature about labyrinths. the place around, to, and from which we travel. no beginning or end. the journey of growth and becoming. a call to action, an aid to healing. a tool to help illuminate our purpose.

general guidelines: release previous thoughts. (remember to breathe.) receive from each petal what it wants to offer. accept joy, love, peace, whatever beckons to you.

allow yourself to find the pace your body wants to go. choose your attitude. notice the sky. listen to the sounds. most of all pay attention to your experience.

i was eager and willing to engage in my own labyrinth exploration. what follows is a narrative from my on-the-spot journaling.

~~~~~~~

greeted on our way in by an elegant deer. we all stared at one another, transfixed. and then, a split second later, the glimpse of beauty was gone.

i imagined walls. the labyrinth is much more open, less mysterious, than i had envisioned.

release. (breathe.) receive. accept.

high temps mixed with wind. why don't the articles left behind blow away? bothered by the silly (a dairy queen lanyard, a plastic rat). startled by the memorialized (obituary clippings, photos). fearful i'm not breathing enough, not opening myself up.

release. (breathe.) receive. accept.

bitterroot mountains represent and offer such strength to me. quiet. peaceful. a light breeze the only sound. blue sky. wispy clouds. inviting me in, whispering to me.

release. (breathe.) receive. accept.

still in the releasing phase though i've moved out of the inner circle. others' items blurred my way, jumbled my thoughts, interfered with my vision. a bit of taller growth on the path. obstacles.

bring a stone to leave within the pattern to commemorate your walk.

brought my stone but never wanted to leave it behind. feel as if i need it instead. holding it, embracing its solace, gripping it tightly in my hand. today i would rather take away than give.

release. (breathe.) receive. accept.

how would i color this giant mandala, this labyrinth?

mind already wandering. very hot! when will we leave? what is carol writing? what am i seeking here anyway? how will all of this coalesce into the appropriate words? words that will capture the meaning of this moment?

i don't feel ready to release it all. still can't say a final goodbye to my mom, to certain memories/things. someone had spelled out the word "forgive" with wood chips. getting better at that.

release. (breathe.) receive. accept.

have that sense i'm not doing this right. feeling defensive, yet what could be wrong? not following the circular journey the way carol is? suddenly realized with a jolt how that describes my life! always the unconventional, unorthodox road for me.

the path is two directions. do what feels natural. there is no right or wrong way to walk a labyrinth. do not concern yourself with what other walkers may be doing. this is your experience.

a metaphor for one's existence as well.

release. (breathe.) receive. accept.

a grasshopper jumped onto my journal. i shooed it away. should i have welcomed it? what is its meaning? what else have i pushed away, out of my life?

i looked it up. symbolically a grasshopper signifies your inner voice. to go ahead, to move forward, to try a new venture. to take a leap with the wisdom necessary to overcome obstacles. good luck. happiness. abundance.

but does everything in the midst of the labyrinth have to have a meaning? maybe i just don't like bugs.

everything that occurs on the labyrinth can be considered a metaphor for your life.

oh. well, i still don't think i'm ignoring my inner voice. or pushing any opportunities away.

release. (breathe.) receive. accept.

i dislike physical discomfort. i feel itchy, sweaty, overheated. makes me want out of the labyrinth. beginning to feel a bit suffocating to me.

that acceptance piece of the puzzle. hard for me. always fighting, always rebelling. when i can't see a clear way through, i fumble but keep pressing.

release. (breathe.) receive. accept.

~~~~~~~

later we exchanged our individual experiences with each other. my favorite part was the walkway of quotes. my friend shared her interpretations of the six petals in the center. and especially her thoughts on the divine petal. i was too distracted by what had been left behind by others to properly notice.

significant. interesting.

we also discussed our very different views on spirituality and religion. while coloring mandala drawings. in a safe, respectful, we-will-always-love-each-other kind of way.

until we were interrupted by the loudest volunteer fire department siren in the world! perhaps another metaphor?

release. (breathe.) receive. accept.

~~~~~~~

so what did i take away from this unique adventure? did i find myself?

because the thing is, i wasn't lost.

however, the labyrinth did give me something important that day. it reacquainted me with myself.

my path may not be crystal clear, it may still be unwinding. but i realized that day that i am not searching for anything. i am not seeking answers.

the act of introspection is a constant in my life. so i've already found that essential place inside of me.

and though i may need a gentle reminder every once in awhile, i am happy to say i go there often.

i've never felt more alive, more aligned. exactly where i need and want to be right now.

i like my present. and i like the direction and promise of my future. i like the people i choose to spend time with.

i like me.

i feel complete. and purposeful. and expansive.

release. (breathe.) receive. accept.

~~~~~~~     have you ever visited a labyrinth? what were your impressions, reactions? if you haven't been, do you think you would enjoy the experience?         [sections in italics taken from the redsun labyrinth brochure and website.]         [maxbutton id="1"]