Labyrinth - A Meditative Practice

Before I share my story I wished to include information about the labyrinth.

“Unlike mazes, labyrinths have a single path, no dead ends, and one way in and out.  But the process of proceeding in and out of a labyrinth is surprisingly profound. "Embedded within each design is a pattern that somehow quiets our deep inner being so we can hear our own wisdom and the wisdom attempting to reach us. Whether walked or traced in sand, the labyrinth pattern is a powerful tool for reflection, meditation, realignment, and deeper knowledge of the Self."

 The eleven-circuit labyrinths include the circular design of the Chartres Cathedral, whose design is from the tradition of the Knights Templar, which according to legend was carried from King Solomon’s temple to France.  There is even speculation that Chartres -- noted for having the distinction of no one being buried within the cathedral -- is also the final resting place of the Ark of the Covenan

I have been on a journey in the last two years of learning about the labyrinth. My early study was by Kathleen McGowan.  I fell in love with the Chartres through her writings. When I began to read “The Sacred Path” I was overjoyed! Kathleen wrote a beautiful book on The Lord’s Prayer and how it correlates with the petals of the labyrinth. “In THE SOURCE OF MIRACLES: Seven Steps to Transforming Your Life Through the Lord’s Prayer, McGowan uses the ancient spiritual practice of walking the labyrinth to guide the reader through the process. At the center of the labyrinth is the Rose with Six Petals, and each petal of the flower corresponds to a teaching of the prayer: faith, surrender, service, abundance, forgiveness, and conquering obstacles. The center of the flower represents the essence of wellspring of love, as love is the uniting factors in all aspects of our lives.”  When I read the instructions for the assignment, my first thought was, “I have to walk a Chartres Labyrinth.”  I was delighted to find one close to my home!  

The sky was grey, the air dense with recent rain and cold. I was bundled and warm.  As I stood at the entrance to the labyrinth I was silent, my eyes closed, breathing, breathing, attempting to clear my mind of my racing day, knowing that my intent is to release bondage of money, a bondage of poverty that has been in my family for generations. My intent is to release this bond and leave its capture by the time I enter the center, to no longer return to it. My intent is to no longer be captured by it’s haunting shadow that causes so much distress, anxiety, worry, sadness. . . . the list of shadows are many.   My hope in exchange is to have enough money to give away.  I do not ask to be wealthy, just enough to live off of sot the rest I can give to help others.  As I take the first step in to the labyrinth I am apprehensive, never walking a labyrinth and wondering if it will really work – I quickly release this thought from my mind, leaving it behind with each footstep.   I begin to hear music, “Oh, precious is the flow, that makes me white as snow No other fount I know  nothing but the blood of Jesus, nothing but the blood of Jesus”.  I sensed an angel had come to sing to me. I realized it is only through the blood of Jesus Christ, His death that releases us from bondage. My bonds broke free as this new truth came in to replace it.  I walked with those thoughts, with that song in my mind. Thankful to Him, so ever thankful. As I continued walking, slowly, intently breathing, continuing to release and be thankful another angel came to sing to me. This time it was,

“Fall on me ever so gently washing, washing my filthy stains. Shower me in your love Breathe on, breathe on these dry bones, these dry bones and break these chains And break these chains  Set me free, Set me free, Set me free Lord,  Set me free.”     As I listened I realized I was being set free from my thoughts of bondage under money.  I continued walking, listening, accepting a new identity.  I would occasionally pause at each turn, breathing, releasing, accepting this new truth.   As I came to the center I paused and prayed. I thanked Him first for being there on this walk with me. Then I thanked Him for being ever so present in my life and being there when I needed Him.  I entered and stood, just focusing on breath.  Silence.  Then I began my return.  Slowly returning,  straightening, feeling empowered.  A new angel, a new song came to visit. This time, “Where the spirit of the Lord is there is freedom.  Where the spirit of the Lord is there is freedom.  If you're tired and you are thirsty there is freedom.  If you're tired and you are thirsty there is freedom.  Freedom reigns in this place.  Showers of mercy and grace, falling on every face, there is freedom.”  Ah, such sweetness. Then a realization. . . . . I recently had a money change with my husband. It placed him in a position of authority, something I had wanted for a long time.  I also realized that I was being released from managing the money so that I could focus on my gifting of coaching women.  I was being released in other ways beyond the generational bondage of money.  I really felt “lighter”.   Freedom. . . . .  as I looked up I saw a squirrel, it’s back high, regal, with a nut in its mouth. I immediately thought of myself and how I felt, like the physical aspect of the squirrel, it’s back high, regal (thus the straightening and empowerment)  yet my husband was the active part of the squirrel, the gatherer for things to come, the saver and provider for its family.  I almost found it funny.  I continued my walk being thankful for the symbolic picture that was given to me.  Again, slowly, breathing, always focusing on my breath to help keep my mind clear, I looked up to see a tree that had lost most of its leaves.  The leaf I noticed right away was red and in the shape of a heart.  I thought – WOW,  that is so like what I am supposed to be doing with my life.  Coaching women who have lost so much of themselves – focusing on their hearts, finding love again for themselves. Learning to nurture themselves, not just others.   I had to restrain myself from stepping out of the labyrinth to pick that particular leaf.  I had to be intentional about not thinking about the leaf from that point on because I did not want the wind to take it away from my much needed grasp.  It was symbolic.  As I continued my walk, my back continued to get straighter, my breathing easier, my confidence and thankfulness surmounting.  I stopped at the entrance, the entrance to my initial request – that of releasing the money bondage in my family that has been passed down from generation to generation.  What was so sweet was that God gave me an extra gift during my journey of release.  A gift of my husband as a provider and caretaker of money. 
For labyrinths in your area, please check out this website: http://labyrinthlocator.com/


Much love, peace and joy to all of you!


Sharla