Walking A Labyrinth

I attended a talk today by labyrinth “expert”, Lauren Artress.  I’m pretty sure she wouldn’t claim the word “expert”. But she is one of the people who has widely promoted the use of labyrinths in this country and others.  She has written several books about labyrinths – and she is my neighbor.  I am borrowing some text of hers and from my notes on her wonderful talk today.  If you want to know more about her and her work on labyrinths, click HERE for her website “Veriditas”. --- which means the greening of the world.

I am lucky to have a labyrinth in my neighborhood – and you likely are too.  They are proliferating and are found in parks, on church properties, on college campuses, in camps and retreat centers.  The idea of walking the labyrinth has become understandably popular.  So, why?  Why do we walk the labyrinth?  Here is Lauren’s answer;

Walking the Labyrinth quiets the mind, opens the heart and grounds the body ... Some find answers to questions long asked, some find healing, creativity, a sense of wholeness ... It also is a way to quiet your mind, get a perspective on your life – what do you seek?

The labyrinth is not a maze. There are no tricks to it and no dead ends. It has a single circuitous path that winds its way into the center. The person walking it uses the same path to return from the center and the entrance then becomes the exit. The path is in full view, which allows a person to be quiet and focus internally.

There are many ways to walk the labyrinth and there are many sizes and styles of labyrinths.  But here is one way she suggests you walk…  Before you enter, take a few breaths to remember why you want to do this.  As you begin walking toward the center, what do you want to release?  In the center you might see if there is something you are “receiving” from this walk.  On the way out you focus on what you are carrying back into the world.

Remember that the spiritual path does not have a goal.  The goal is not to get to the center and back out.  The goal is to deepen your life.  Blessings on your walk..

MAKE SOMETHING

I have always liked making things – little bundles of sticks and stones and feathers, “spirit dolls”, collage, drawings made with my eyes closed, pot-holders, little altars, cakes, parties, poems….  I firmly believe that making anything is very important.  Even and maybe especially if what you make has no obvious “use”.  The fact of making something and putting it into the world is a spiritual practice I’m pretty sure.  Something that never existed until you made it – is an act of creation.  Even if no one else ever sees it, you might be changed by your own creativity.  Daring to enter the world of the unknown is not a light task. It requires a trust of sorts and a confidence and a measure of “not caring” what the product looks like.  Here’s a poem I wrote this week about this;   Happy creating this week!!

MAKE SOMETHING

Make anything

and it will

change you;

a painting, a cake, a poem,

an impromptu dance, a prayer, a theory,

a doodle, a letter, a paper hat.

Oh, to put something into the world

that wasn’t there before.

An act of creation—

you can be a little god.

You can set the constellations spinning.

Even a scribble

that has never existed

until you made it,

can be a gift –

can bring a smile –

can let your spirit off its leash.

Make something.

even if no-one sees or hears

or appreciates.  Something

inside you might learn to applaud

or smile, or cry

because you dared to enter

the world of the unknown.

~Penny Hackett-Evans

And here is a poem by Chelan Harkin about the same topic;

THE THING THAT MAKES YOUR HEART SING

~Chelan Harkin” from the book Let Us Dance

The thing that makes

your heart sing

might be quirky as hell,

it might not do anything for capitalism,

no one might buy it.

You’ve probably written this thing off

countless times

for those reasons

and because you probably should

do the dishes or something more practical

like that instead.

But this thing that make your heart sing

is the thing inside of you that most wants

to topple your kingdom of should

that wants deeply and burningly

to be prioritized

and for no particular reason

but that it brings so much light.

It wants to look you straight in the eye

and say, “Let’s do this, baby!”

even if it’s drilling holes in seashells and stringing them to

fishing line,

even if it’s drawing anatomical pictures of a flower

with great care that are never meant

to be hung in an art gallery

but to be pressed

into the precious pages of your heart,

even if it’s making a new kind of cookie

each week

and devouring them with relish on your couch

by yourself,

a sweet sacrament

just meant to share

with your taste buds.

This thing that makes your heart sing

will resurrect parts of your life

and restore a sacred nutrient

to your days.

It can be muted

but never silenced.

If you’re not sure what it is,

just listen for the reoccurring whispers

in your chest

of that flame that will not die.

The paradox is this:

while the thing itself might seem simple.

this thing that makes

your heart sing

will create luminosity

so bright

you’ll be the envy

of all the stars

and they’ll want to jump into

your body

to feel it.

Evening Gatha

The word “Gatha” comes from the Sanskrit meaning song or verse.  In Buddhism, a Gatha is a short verse or poem, typically recited silently or internally, to help practitioners focus on the present moment and cultivate mindfulness. They are often used in conjunction with breathing exercises, especially in mindfulness practice, and can serve as a reminder to stay present in daily activities. Sometimes they are sung.

Buddhist Thich Nhat Hanh encouraged followers to learn Gathas “by heart” and to recite them silently as they went through their daily life.  A common Gatha is:

"Breathing in, I calm my body.

Breathing out, I smile.

Dwelling in the present moment,

I know this is a wonderful moment!".

I read recently about this “Evening Gatha” that is often recited each evening in Zen temples.  It moved me.  A way to remind myself of my mortality.  Maybe it will move you too…

Let me respectfully remind you

Life and death are of supreme importance.

Time swiftly passes by and opportunity is lost.

On this night the days of our life are decreased by one.

Each of us must strive to awaken.

Awaken.

Take heed.

Do not squander your life.