Labyrinths and Ladybugs

I love a good walk, especially one that includes the opportunity to gaze at filtered sunlight through the trees, a steady musical beat and my pup happily walking by my side. I can feel the healing and strengthening power with the growing steps as my mind clears and my body breathes more deeply and rids itself of any building toxicity. I find myself thankful that I still have the ability to move my limbs and that my senses enable me to connect fully with the activity and my environment. 

There is another form of walking though that I find even more powerfully stimulating and important for my soul. It is the spiritual practice of walking the labyrinth, a purposefully designed maze of ancient origin designed for a myriad of reasons but mostly focused on journey and centeredness. For me this meditative journey includes focus on my relationship with God and God’s grace in my life and journey. 

I remember the hesitancy with which I approached my first walk. Our church had just purchased a canvas labyrinth and dear sweet Lynda Gayle had taken the time to lead us through a meditation explaining the opportunities for reflection the labyrinth affords each individual along the path. Her words of wisdom included the reminder that for each person a walk upon the labyrinth is unique and also somewhat private. If walking the path with others, we don’t make eye contact, and if we cross paths, we gently move to the side to let others pass. It's ok to pause and take your time. Labyrinth walks are silent and focused, although you’ll sometimes find music added to guided walks to create a calming atmosphere. There is always a way in and a way out, and there are no traps or hidden turns, just the journey. 

Walking the labyrinth is not a daily or weekly practice of mine, although I do hope for this opportunity in the future. For now, I’ve taken the time to walk the labyrinth during times of great transition in my life or when I find myself with the most questions. Each labyrinth walk has been significant.

I’m in Santa Fe, New Mexico to celebrate my dear friend Ebet’s birthday with a special trip. We find ourselves walking the labyrinth in front of the Cathedra Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi. I can feel my parents’ presence as they take time to sit and rest and wait for us. My heart fills with joy and comfort when after reaching the center of the labyrinth I watch my friend step confidently into the center and begin her journey outward enabling me to follow. I’m just beginning to realize that this trip is the beginning pages in a new chapter in my life. 

I’m in Santa Fe, New Mexico again, this time at the Museum of International Folk Art. I’ve just finished walking the labyrinth with my daddy and my babies, Abby and William. It was their first walk. We are getting ready to leave when Abby grabs William’s hand and they run back onto the labyrinth. At first I start to call them back, but instead, Daddy and I just sit back and watch. When they reach the center, they laugh and dance holding on to each other’s hands. A sense of relief engulfs me as I give thanks for the friendship and love that they share and will share for a lifetime.

I’m on Sanibel Island in Florida and my sisters and I have met a wonderful new friend on the beach. She has just finished building a four-circuit labyrinth out of shells, seaweed and driftwood that she has found on the beach. Her husband has early onset of Alzheimer’s and walking the labyrinth helps him to reconnect with his memories as well as to stay connected to the moment at hand. She is lovely. He is lovely, and they take great delight in sharing this journey with me and my children. She builds a labyrinth for her husband everywhere that they go.

I’m at Saint Columba Conference Center in Bartlett, Tennessee. After a walk at dawn across misty fields covered in dew, I walk the beautifully natural labyrinth crafted of stone and moss. Afterwards, I stand in the beams of light from the morning sun and reconnect with another powerful moment in the same space. Feeling fully present in the grace of God, I do not want to turn around to leave it, but I know I must. When I finally turn, I find myself joyfully overwhelmed and delighted that I am faced with the same love and light and full feeling, it’s just different scenery. God is everywhere.

I’m at the West Clinic in Memphis, Tennessee. It is Saturday and the buildings are deserted, and I am most grateful for the clinic’s gift of the labyrinth garden. I’m finding myself in one of the most powerfully challenging moments I’ve crossed in my life. I enter the labyrinth sadly and feeling alone. When I finally reach the center, it is the first time I’ve found myself sitting down during a labyrinth walk. I bury my head. After a while, a ladybug lands gently on my arm and suddenly I don’t feel so alone any more. The words and scenes from “Under the Tuscan Sun” fly into my mind. Frances and Katherine are discussing sadness. Katherine explains that when she was a little girl and would fall asleep in the field, she would wake up covered in ladybugs. As Frances continues on her journey, she eventually gives in to enjoying and celebrating the experiences she is having and the people who surround her. As she rests in one of the final moments of the story, love walks into her life and finds a ladybug settling on Frances’ arm. This thought fills me with peace, and I find the strength to stand and continue my journey. I realize and remember, I was never alone in the first place. (I must share that as soon as I wrote this very last thought, my husband sent me a fun and sweet text. My heart is full.)

So whether you’re walking through the neighborhood or you find yourself upon the labyrinth, I highly recommend walks as a reflection and prayerful exercise for your body and soul. 

With love and light,

LT  

Editor’s Note: On my list of labyrinths yet to walk are those at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco, California; Chartres Cathedral near Paris, France; and St. George Episcopal Church in Maple Valley, Washington. I would love your recommendations for other walks as well! Please feel free to share in Love and Light’s comments!