Leanna's Winding Path
Hi friends. Thanks for checking in on me. I thought this would be a good place to share with you the details about my journey in this life. I hope to keep it simple and honest.
I love you.
13 October 2011 – Shady Grove’s Breast Cancer Awareness Event
It turned out beautifully. You should have seen the finger labyrinths we had printed. They turned out so well. I was very proud of what Jan and I accomplished.
I was able to set up my little station by some dear reiki friends. It was awesome because one of them gave me a mini chair reiki treatment for like 30 minutes during the awards ceremony. Ah that felt good!
Unfortunately, I couldn’t stay the whole time. I had to leave at about 7:30. So I didn’t get to talk to nearly as many people as I had hoped. But I did get to talk to some.
I had a blurb written and printed on the back of the finger labyrinths we were giving away. This is what it said:
The Labyrinth
Its history.
The basic design of the labyrinth is over 4,500 years old. Various designs have been discovered on every continent in the world. For example, the labyrinth on the opposite side of this document is known as the Chartes labyrinth, discovered in the Chartes Cathedral, just south of Paris, France. Labyrinths evolved in several cultures prior to global travel, suggesting that the pattern was divinely inspired by a universal consciousness.
The labyrinth is not a maze; it has no tricks, no dead ends, and no cul-de-sacs. It has a single, well-defined path that leads to the center. It has been used by most religions throughout history. It is now frequently used as a spiritual tool.
Use of the labyrinth in my life.
When I was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer, a friend advised me to find a positive image to focus on through my journey. As I had spent over 10 years working with it, I quickly decided the labyrinth would be my positive image.
I see the labyrinth as a symbol for my life. I see the path of the labyrinth as representing my life’s path; full of unexpected twists and turns. Sometimes it seems like I’m lost, but I only have one life’s path and it leads to the center. Working with the labyrinth in this capacity allows me to feel more confident in making decisions regarding my path to wellness. I see the center of the labyrinth representing my center – the wholeness that is me, my source, my essence. No matter where my life path takes me, I know that at my core, I am still me, and the labyrinth represents this perfectly. The labyrinth cultivates a stillness and peacefulness inside of me. It is a place I use to heal.
Other ways to use the labyrinth.
There are many ways to explore the labyrinth. One way is to think of it as a metaphor for life. Many experiences within the labyrinth can be applied to life. Just pay attention while you are in the labyrinth. How might the situation apply to your life?
One can also use the labyrinth as a meditative tool to calm and focus the mind.
Another way to experience the labyrinth is as a pilgrimage. For example, during medieval times, the labyrinth served as a surrogate for a pilgrimage. The path inward represented the journey to the holy place where issues could come up and be released and where spiritual and life questions could become more defined. The center represented the destination or the holy place where one could receive wisdom and insight. The path out of the labyrinth, which is the same as the path in, served as a chance where the pilgrim could integrate the wisdom received in the center into their lives.
A suggestion for you to use the labyrinth.
Upon entering the labyrinth, calm your breathing. Pray or ask a question if you feel moved to do so. Use your finger to trace the path from the outside opening to the center. Within the center, feel free to stay there as long as it feels right, releasing any prayer or question from your mind. When ready to leave the center, retrace the path back out. Upon leaving the labyrinth, consider offering thanks for the experience. Also consider journaling about your experience. Often experiences in the labyrinth will lead to insights you’ll want to recall later in life.
Where to find walkable labyrinths.
