It seems so simple, walking a labyrinth. You start, walk to the middle and walk back. But what can walking through it actually do for you? And how do you walk a labyrinth?
A labyrinth is an ancient universal symbol for healing and wholeness, a path to Self, or to silence, peace and wisdom.
People use the labyrinth in their search for answers to (life) questions or to let go of certain things or to gain insights.
You could say that a labyrinth is a metaphor for the path of life and transformation.
A labyrinth is universal and has been around for centuries
The labyrinth appears in many rituals, stories and myths. And you find them in various cultural and religious traditions. They may have been used for at least 4000 years, especially in rituals, such as (re)birth. The classic labyrinth has a round shape and has 7 paths. You don’t walk in circles to the center, but the paths meander, so to speak; you come closer to the center each time, and then you are led away from it again. After which you come closer to the center again. You could say that this also symbolizes things in life; you come closer somewhere, then further away again and then closer again.
In addition to walking through a labyrinth, it is sometimes also performed in a dance.
In recent years, the labyrinth seems to have made a complete comeback. You see them more and more at spiritual centers, but even at schools or hospitals. And you also see them (again) more often in art.
Difference between a labyrinth and a maze
In a maze, you go in and have to find your way out again. In the maze, there are forks and intersections where you have to make a choice where to go. With a bit of bad luck, you end up at a dead end and have to go back and search further.
In a labyrinth, there is only one path that you follow, there are no places where you have to choose whether to go left or right. The path that you follow goes to the middle and you follow the same path to get out again.
Simply put: In a maze, you lose your way and in a labyrinth, you find your way.
What does a labyrinth look like?
As I wrote above, there is a path that you follow to the center and you follow the same path back out.
The ‘passage’ through the labyrinth has 3 parts:
– The outward journey – symbol for letting go
This could be sadness, fear, anger, guilt, old patterns, mental wounds, or anything else. By really experiencing those feelings, you can then let them go or give them (more) a place. If you can let something go, you can also allow something new in.
– The center – the symbol for receiving.
These can be insights or answers, certain feelings, love etc. Your inner core, your intuition will speak. Or as it is also called, your source.
-Return journey – symbol for integrating insights
What you have felt or noticed in the center, let it sink in as you walk back. Sometimes insights and answers emerge that you can apply in your daily life.
How do you walk a labyrinth?
There are different types of labyrinths and you can also walk them in different ways.
For example, with a question you have, an intention, to remember or honor something or someone. But also as a (daily) walking meditation or a ritual to ‘untangle’ yourself.
And allow all your thoughts and feelings that you experience on the way there, in the center and/or on the way back.
Before you start walking, it is a good idea to take some time to calm down and relax, so that you can focus on what you are going to walk with.
For example, you can meditate for a few minutes and include your subject, question, intention, etc. in that.
You can also take a quiet walk before you enter the labyrinth.
I sometimes invite people to bring an object from the forest, for example, that symbolizes what they are going to walk with and then leave it in the center.
When you start walking, really take your time and walk calmly. The cadence of walking creates a positive interaction between your body and your mind.
If you keep looking down, slightly ahead of you, this appears to have an effect on your brain and helps you focus and be less distracted.
When you come to the center, take your time here too to feel what is coming up. Then leave your object here when you walk with one.
When you walk back, you keep taking your time and observing what happens. The return journey is just as powerful as the outward journey.
Experiences with walking a labyrinth
It is very possible that when you walk a labyrinth, you do not get any great insights or intense emotions. That is perfectly okay. Maybe you were too distracted, maybe you did not need any great insights at this time in your life, maybe this was a first step to get closer to yourself and it is good to walk it again later, maybe an insight comes later.
I have walked a labyrinth several times myself and each time was different. That also depended entirely on the intention or subject with which I went walking and what was going on in my life at that moment.
During yoga retreats where I guided others in walking a labyrinth, I have had people who actually noticed little, and others who were deeply moved, felt liberated from old burdens, who had to cry a lot, or just had a beautiful calm smile on their face.
So, if you are going to walk a labyrinth, know that anything can happen or not (yet) and that everything is good.
Hi, my name is Jolinda, and I work as a holistic health practitioner. I provide yoga and meditation classes and massage and Reiki treatments, mindfulness training and happiness coaching,.
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