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"We shall not cease from exploration
And the end of all our exploring
Will be to arrive where we started
And know the place for the first time."
Little Gidding
From Four Quartets by T.S. Eliot
The labyrinth, found world-wide, suggests pilgrimage and discovery. In Jungian terms, it is an archetype, a divine imprint.
Take that first step.
Follow the winding path into the center.
Pause, reflect and return bringing out a new-found perspective.
A full-size Chartres-design labyrinth has been taken to the women’s prison and set up in the gym twice a year for an entire day allowing both inmates and staff to experience the meditative walk.
In preparation for walking the labyrinth and to teach a form of personal relaxation and reflection, handheld labyrinths are used in the women’s dream group. As they are shared around the circle, women run a finger over the path, some with eyes closed.
A stone labyrinth warms as it is held. The wooden labyrinth has a different feel. Paper reproductions are given out, as are instructions so they can draw their own labyrinths.
"In my beginning is my end... East Coker |
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An Alternative to Walking
Twenty-first century multitasking hinders meditation.
Stress complicates contemplation.
We can choose otherwise.
The labyrinth is an option.
Sitting quietly, moving hand, finger, pencil or crayon over a lap-held labyrinth helps to focus attention while calming and centering the mind and body.
Some Labyrinths that I use in my work include:
- Wooden Chartres Rose
- Metal Chartres Rose
- Soapstone Cretin Seven-Circuit
- Ceramic
- Sand Chartres Rose and Cretin Seven-Circuit
- Paper copies of both Chartres Rose and Cretin Seven-Circuit Labyrinth
- Insert printed page in plastic page cover or paste
to cardboard:
- Color
- Trace path in with one color and out with a different color
- Cover with sand for tactile sensation
- Paper Labyrinths are
- Versatile
- Very inexpensive
- Portable.
- Draw free-hand using starter points creating a labyrinth anytime, anywhere.
Thanks for these suggestions from fellow members of the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis: Wayne Martin, LISW, BCIAC, Fort Worth, TX, Martin Center for Pain Control; Helen Adrienne, LCSW, BCD, New York City Mind/Body Medicine practitioner; and Susan Dowell, LCSW, New York City, Clinical Hypnosis trainer and practitioner.
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Web Resources World-wide organization of interested people and groups -- http://labyrinthsociety.org/ World-wide Labyrinth Project -- http://www.veriditas.net/ Psychotherapy and the Labyrinth articles, plus extensive resources -- http://www.relax4life.com/articles.html Send a greeting card, directions for drawing free-hand and much more -- http://www.lessons4living.com/labyrinth.htm Trace or Dance the Cretin Labyrinth and much, much more -- http://www.labyreims.com Blue Moon Labyrinths -- Handmade Soapstone Labyrinths -- http://bluemoonlabyrinths.com On-line Design & Planning Book -- http://www.labyrinth-enterprises.com/planning.pdf Designer & builder portable & permanent meditation spaces -- http://www.labyrinthcompany.com Exhaustive Links Lists -- http://www.labyrinth-enterprises.com/links.html The Labyrinth Resource Centre
Photo Library & Archive -- http://www.labyrinthos.net/
Labyrinth Related Books -- http://www.paxworks.com/books.html Labyrinth Blog -- http://joachimbecker.wordpress.com/walking-tips-for-the-labyrinth-in-the-sand/Many Resources -- http://www.labyrinth-enterprises.com/ Mazes and Labyrinths with link to movies -- http://www.astrolog.org/labyrnth.htm Labyrinths as path of healing, inspiration and peace, Santa Fe, NM -- http://www.LabyrinthResourceGroup.org Grace Cathedral -- http://www.gracecathedral.org/labyrinth/ Indiana Women's Prison Labyrinth
-- http://www.humanityinunity.org/HIUnew/servinghumanity/indianawomensprison-labyrinth/
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