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A labyrinth,
or at least a meditation
labyrinth, has only one path. The path is built specifically to aid in
meditation. The path brings the person near the center and then back
out. We have found that the labyrinth is a wonderful metaphor for
life.
There are
many designs for labyrinths. Most labyrinths are built to
be walked. The complexity of the labyrinth and its effectiveness are
governed by the space used to construct it. Some are in such a small
area that two people can not walk past each others. Others are large
enough for wheelchair access.
Labyrinths
also differ from mazes in that they are usually relatively flat. Mazes
are built of walls. In a labyrinth the person can see the entire path.
Where mazes are built to trap the subject, a labyrinth is built to free
the person. At anytime, the person can simply walk across the lines
that make up the path and leave.
There are several types of labyrinths. These include smaller versions
called finger labyrinths. Finger labyrinths offer several features. The
path is gouged into a piece of material, usually wood. As such, they
can be followed in the dark or by people with visual impairments. They
are small enough so they can be placed in the lap and allows people who
are confined to a bed or wheelchair, the opportunity to use a
labyrinth. They also can be built into a tabletop and placed in a
waiting room. What Can You Get Out of Walking a Labyrinth?
There is one basic rule for meditation, school or anything else; you
can only get out what you put in. If a person enters a labyrinth closed
to change or insight, rushing through without putting themselves in,
then they will get nothing out.
The labyrinth can be used for many goals. It is a tool. If a person
enters seeking to quiet their mind and relax, they will find calm. If a
person enters seeking insight into their life, then they will find out
about themselves. There are a number of techniques that are effective.
One is to enter recalling your life. At each turn look for either a
decision or event that changed your life. Watch as the path brings you
nearer the goal and then back out.
Another technique is to start with a song, prayer or meditation. At
each turn, give thanks for a blessing God has given. As an alternative,
give thanks for a blessing each time you turn to your left and release
an event that pains you on each turn to the right.
Some of the people we had participating in a class were so overcome by
emotions when walking that they left the labyrinth in the middle. One
person entered and as they walked, they thought “this is
dumb” “this is dumb” “my life
is dumb” and found walking the labyrinth let them see what
they wanted to change in their life.
The labyrinth occurs in nearly every culture. Cave paintings around the
world show different configurations of the labyrinth. Some have
questioned whether these cave drawing are of journeys, walking
labyrinths or were themselves finger labyrinths.
It has been said that the labyrinth came into the western religions in
a response to the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem. At that time,
it became impossible for most people to travel to Jerusalem for the
pilgrimage holidays. The labyrinth was substituted for the pilgrimage.
As churches grew in Europe, a labyrinth was often included in either
the floor or the garden. There is no written confirmation of this
theory.
The most famous labyrinth is the one on the floor of the Chartres
Cathedral in France. This is an eleven circuit labyrinth built on the
sacred geometry. It has been copied many times. There are a number of
versions around the Detroit area. These include multiple churches that
have built them into the lawn, a separate sacred space or on canvas.
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