The Healing Power of Labyrinth Walking Meditation
Labyrinth walking is an ancient tool used for spiritual practice. Labyrinths have been around for centuries, and for some, they can intensify the quality and outcome of their meditation practice. For those who have difficulty sitting meditation, this can be a great place to practice. Some labyrinth practitioners believe that somehow this tool allows more access to the universe’s magic and brings more clarity and connection to a higher power. Using the labyrinth to connect to a deeper place within yourself, you can receive the answers you seek and gain the power to let go of the things that are no longer working in your life.
At Villa Kali Ma, we teach several ways that a labyrinth can be used for spiritual practice. It is a labyrinth walking meditation practice that is sometimes much easier to do than sitting meditation, especially for those in the early stages of withdrawal from alcohol or drugs. Sitting meditation can be difficult if you are highly anxious, have difficulty closing your eyes, or experience pain in the seated meditation posture. People who have experienced a great deal of trauma often have trouble with meditation, so labyrinth walking meditation is a great way to ease into it.
One of the other ways we use the labyrinth is to clear the mind and let go of the barrage of thoughts about ourselves, our current problems, and the constant fear and desire thoughts that take us out of peaceful presence. We do this by labyrinth walking slowly, intending to clear the mind and have no thought, just being completely present at the moment. We often use the Buddhist mindfulness practice of repeating “nowhere to go, nothing to do, no one to be” with each step. This allows us to relax and feel a sense of peace and serenity at the moment.
We use the labyrinth as a sacred place to pray for and receive answers to how to solve problems. This practice involves bringing your problems to the labyrinth center and leaving them there, trusting that they will be resolved. There is a beautiful ceremonial process that clients can practice releasing their problems to a higher power. This can become a great tool for gaining clarity and becoming empowered to overcome substance abuse and other co-occurring disorders. The labyrinth walking practice can connect you with your intuition and inner knowing and cultivate a strong relationship with your higher self. From this place of connection, you can begin to heal your life.
