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Life Patterns in the Labyrinth By Judith Joyce Labyrinths are ancient patterns, which are enjoying a resurgence of popularity as tools for walking meditation. They have one path leading to and from the center, which literally helps us find our center and become centered. I initially was attracted to the labyrinth because walking meditation seemed tailor made for me as I could never sit still and quiet my mind as traditional meditative techniques suggest. It has proven to be a very powerful tool for me on many levels. One of those levels has been the way the labyrinth metaphorically mirrors my life and life patterns. I have seen that I walk the labyrinth the way I live my life and if I can walk as an observer, many of my life patterns are revealed. From the first time I stepped onto/into a labyrinth, I was struck by the twists and turns, which are also so common in life. The center seemed so close as I rounded a couple of turns. "I'll be there soon, this is quite fast and easy", I thought. Then I quickly found myself on the outer edge of the winding design wondering how I got there and when I would ever reach the center, which seemed to elude me. You see, I've been looking for my center all my life with only fleeting moments of connection. I soon realized my life's search for the center was playing itself out right there on the labyrinth! |
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 Jack Barakitis, founder of Sciences of Spirituality is one of DoveStar’s Reiki Instructors, receiving a Reiki session in the center of the labyrinth in Savannah. |
The ebb and flow of life's dance is so beautifully and effortlessly choreographed on the labyrinth. People walking parallel or on the same part of the path soon are at opposite sides of the design. Whole groups can be closely clustered together in one part and then quickly spread all over the path. Each person has a role and yet the Divine Choreographer is in charge of the whole production. A wonderful thing to remember! |
Speaking of dancing, after a couple of years of frequently walking the labyrinth, I found myself dancing along the paths rather than walking. Even though my childhood dream was to be a prima ballerina, I hadn't danced at all in recent years. I believe I was being reminded how much dance nurtures my soul and to bring more of it into my life. Once during a life transition, I realized as I made the hairpin turns on the labyrinth that I had no idea what was waiting for me around the next turn and yet, while on the labyrinth, I felt completely safe and protected. Each time I step onto a labyrinth I feel I'm stepping into the outstretched arms of God/Goddess, All That Is to be held and loved unconditionally. For me, it's a wonderful reminder that each step of my journey, in fact my whole journey, is taken in the arms of Spirit. So how can I fear the next turn in my life if I'm walking in/on the carpet of Spirit?
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