“Once you’re ready for it, the labyrinth seeks you”
~Henry M.L.D.
I walked inside the National Cathedral in Washington, DC and before I knew it - the labyrinth found me. In my not matching socks I entered it in the cathedral’s nave. Immersed in the harp’s hypnotic tunes, I stated my intention: simple one at that - to be open and receptive to any message that may come through. I started its winding course.
I reached the center, sat, closed my eyes, and followed my breath as I listened to my body. I heard a little boy’s laughter. I opened my eyes and what I witnessed was a mirror into my subconscious. A little boy cheerfully had stepped into the labyrinth and his dad behind him reached for his tiny hand to show him the path. Unbeknownst to the boy that there was a pattern to follow, he jumped around - his dad would lead him back. His father at one point let him go and as the little boy would playfully switch paths (inadvertently at times), his dad would follow him closely exuding concern and joy. Concern for the uncertainty that the boy may fall as he hopped around, and joy for his playfulness as he traversed the labyrinth. It mirrored back something missing in earlier years of my life. My father's inconsistent involvement throughout my formative years. A tear rolled down my cheek. I heavily exhaled through my mouth. I released. I released pain and sadness. I received compassion for my little child self. I forgave my father for not having been emotionally present for me and myself for judging him for it. I accepted exhilaration knowing that my mother played the role my father did not - depicted by the father in the labyrinth for his little son. I released the story from my mind that led my actions for so long well into adulthood - the ruminating: I am not worth loving attention, cheerful support and patience. I tapped into my inner-compassion and opened myself to accepting all those vital components moving forward.
Following the path outward, feeling slightly silly at first and clumsy in my steps, my pace went from hurried to calm. There were a few more persons, all walking at different paces. I crossed paths with some, some I never encountered, some walked on parallel paths, some had reached the center. I realized I was seeing in plain sight life unfolding at a micro-level. It moved me. My chest filled with air, expanded and left me simultaneously feeling sheer awe and emptiness. I paused for a moment at one of its turns - I watched everyone traveling through it, a sense of relief washed over me. Forgiveness bubbled up for myself and everybody as I no longer felt alone. It dawned on me that some of our paths may not cross, and if they do, it is for us to never take it from granted as we might hold a piece in each other’s journey. A journey that could potentially be more enriching navigated with someone else along our side.
I remembered Daniel H. Johnston, PhD book Lessons for Living, "The labyrinth is an ancient symbol that relates to wholeness.” Completing the labyrinth, I re-entered the physical world, a time of return, renewal, and most importantly - action. The labyrinth represents a journey to our own center and back out again into the world. It offered me inner peace and helped me let go of many of the anxieties I had been carrying that had never served me positively.
Today meandering labyrinths are often used as walking meditations, to focus the mind and put the individual in tune with the greater inner truth metaphorically represented by the labyrinth. Herbert Benson, MD, president of the Mind/Body Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, has found that focused walking meditations are highly efficient in reducing anxiety and eliciting what he calls the "relaxation response."
Leaving the labyrinth, taking the insights I received back into the world, I chose being bold, open to loving attention, cheerful support and patience and being all of it for others.
Next time a labyrinth seeks you, be open and embrace the spiritual, playful, creative, reflective space it has for you.
My question to you is this: Will you turn your back to life or will you embark on this labyrinth and trust the path that will lead you to inner-healing and ultimate self-fulfillment?
Catalyst. Mindful Nomad. Advocate. Pure Essence.
Henry is a social researcher, and fluent in English, Portuguese and Spanish. He is a public relations veteran, creating magnetic, distinctive brand identities and building relationships for organizations and individuals. A multi-local globalized citizen. Get in touch if you are in need of innovative, thought provoking content.