The Amazing Labyrinth — A Walking Meditation

By Judy McAllister

With card games like Labyrinth and a recent video release by the same name, evidence abounds as to a burgeoning interest in what labyrinths connote. Scepticism remains as to its meaning and it being an entrapment or something that is dark and sinister. Unlike the multi-path puzzle of a maze with its many dead ends and tricks, the labyrinth usage dates back some 2,000 to 4,000 years when a meandering single-path figure emerged as a symbol for the traveller's journey. In the March issue of the James Bay Beacon, Nancy Kenyon wrote about the makings of the labyrinth in Irving Park at the corner of Menzies and Michigan. It is one of several places in James Bay area that invites both solitude and serenity, yet also more meditation practices.

All spiritual traditions speak of life as a journey. When one walks a labyrinth, there arises a sense of walking some ancient pathway. A unified whole connects past to the now. Once the decision is made to enter in there comes about an immediate stepping forward into life as it is in the present moment. Walking the labyrinth takes one closer to a central place at times or farther away from via the outer circle, however eventually arriving at the centre for some lingering moments before returning along the same passage. A person rests knowing it is a time of solitude and reflection without getting lost, meditating a solution or pondering some of lifes questions.

Joanne Thomson, a local artist from Victoria, recommends that a group experience may dissipate first time uneasiness. As the group outing unfolds, encouraged talk helps elicit common reactions and vocalizations of how the physical walking can be achieved with others on the path or distractions in the midst. One might even hear things like "Oh my, this is like my life, going backwards again!" It allows one to get the feel of the slower walking pace and direction the labyrinth walk takes over a half hour period. Some folks may choose to dance the labyrinth once the movement within and amongst the labyrinth path is understood. For the second and third time people become quieter and then move into a silent personal walk or dance which resembles one's individual journey through life. It is easy to pass others along the way all the while honouring the silence by momentarily stepping aside and resuming the journey.

Joanne walks, draws, paints, and creates labyrinths in the sand for personal use and for others. Recently she conducted a workshop at Royal Roads where participants drew various labyrinths. She stated that the outward journey of walking the path and the inward journey of meditation to a personal centre is quite typical of the human experience. Life is like that: in and out, back and forth, purposeful and distracted, and problematic and celebratory. "People are drawn to the labyrinth for many different reasons," remarked Joanne. She went on to say "children find it an interesting pattern, while some people are searching for something, wanting to connect with some inner aspect of self, while others see it as a way to connect with the earth and some universal energy source." Whatever the reason, it indeed captures life in the moment.

Joanne claims it is possible for everyone to "walk" the labyrinth whether one needs the aid of a walker, a companion, a wheelchair or a respite along the way. With a partner or group, she suggested "dedicating the walk" at the centre around a theme, then entering the labyrinth one by one through appropriate momentary spacing, gathering all in the middle for more reflection on the theme if so wished, followed by completing the walk individually in silence.

The Victoria Hospice Society chose the symbol of a labyrinth as a metaphor for the journey through grief. So, as with the labyrinth, the person has only one way through — forward. Likely unexpected turns, no wrong turns, take one into the depths of one's own experiences. In the wholeness of symbol one is ultimately led back into the world. Joanne Thomson stressed the importance of walking the labyrinth at times of celebration, too, such as at the birth of a baby, graduations, and weddings. These times equally affect our lives deeply and give new meanings to our being. The world to which we return is noted as being different somehow. A calm and clarity within is often vocalized.

The Victoria Community Labyrinth Society is developing a labyrinth for those with disabilities, outfitted with handrails and paving that will make it accessible to all. The labyrinth walk is gaining in popularity and James Bay is lucky to have one in our own backyard.