On the desk in my clinic there’s a board with a labyrinth constructed from tiny white pebbles. Beside it is a small sign which says “Finger Labyrinth, use your fingers to walk me”. The children often do this walk, but most adults don’t have the time.

Walking the labyrinth pathway brings enormous health benefits and also creates a calming peaceful break in busy lives. Unfortunately, many are not sure how it is done, or even where to find a labyrinth.

Labyrinths are making a welcome return to our lives with many new full-size walking labyrinths being constructed. Many people across the world use them as a means to find inner balance and peace. As they walk the pathway their minds become quiet and they receive intuitive insight through this gentle, active meditation. Simply walking the labyrinth is a wonderful way to develop mindfulness and find inner knowing.

Walking the labyrinth is a wonderful way to develop mindfulness and find inner knowing.

Difference Between A Labyrinth And Maze

Labyrinths are ancient symbols that have been used for thousands of years by many different cultures right across the globe. Their sacred spiral design is a very powerful self-alignment tool which brings perspective into our lives. The geometric form of the labyrinth speaks to the right brain, unlike mazes which require the analytical left brain.

Mazes are puzzles which have dead ends and lots of twists and turns in many directions. Labyrinths have only one path that leads right into the centre with no tricky turns or blind alleys. The maze needs logical planned thinking to solve whereas the labyrinth requires a more passive approach. The only decision is whether to start or not.

Although the labyrinth runs to the centre without blind alleys, it does turn regularly. At some point on the walk you face every direction which further shifts you out of the thinking brain. As a result of shifting back and forth from left to right brain your consciousness moves into a highly receptive state that opens you to receive insights.

How To Walk The Labyrinth

The labyrinth walk can be broken into three stages. At the entrance you can pause, focus and set an intention for your walk. Take slow, deliberate steps. Use the walk into the centre of the labyrinth as an opportunity to clear and centre your mind, to let go of worries, thoughts and obligations and to surrender to the process of being fully present in your body in the present moment.

When you reach the centre pause, and take time for reflection, meditation or prayer. It is a perfect space to allow the divine into your life, and an awareness and realisation of your own sacred inner space.

The walk back out from the centre provides the space for integration of your insights and prepares you to return to your life, ready to make transformational changes, ready to take action.

Benefits Of The Labyrinth Walk

Every walk is unique and you can expect to receive something different every time you walk the labyrinth. Sometimes it may simply be a nice walk. On other occasions it may be the revelation of some deep insight and understanding, one that may change your life significantly. Other times it may provide the answer to your question, or release of a worry, concern or grief you have been holding.

Labyrinths present us with a reflection of our life pathway. We are all on a path, even if sometimes it seems pretty overgrown, and at others we have no idea where it may be leading us.

In some ways the labyrinth is simply a metaphor for our own journey into our centre, our deepest self, and then our return back out into the world. Like the characters of ancient myths and legends, who needed to go down into the darkness in order to overcome their adversary or fear, before returning triumphant with a deeper understanding of themselves, we too can use the labyrinth as a means of going deep within to broaden our understanding and acceptance of who we are.

Labyrinths are transformational spiritual tools and walking them needs to be a practice that is integrated into your life and not done just once.

As a potent ancient symbol of totality, they allow us to pursue personal wholeness.

If you would like to experience the power of the labyrinth for yourself there are many that you can try. Some are privately owned and require prior arrangement for their use, but there are quite a number that are open to use at any time.  This is a list of Australian labyrinths. For other labyrinth locations outside Australia.

Disclaimer.

All information and opinions presented here are for information only and are not intended as a substitute for professional advice offered during a consultation. Please consult with your health care provider before trying any of the treatment suggested on this site. 

© Catherine Bullard and Happy Holistic Health, 2012. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Catherine Bullard and Happy Holistic Health with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.