The Openings In Life’s Labyrinth
Sometimes I feel that all I am doing is making wrong turns, getting stuck and reaching dead ends. I try hard to focus and achieve my goals but these delays and challenges can get me down. Why can’t my path be straight and smooth and Openings be easier to find?
Walking A Labyrinth
A labyrinth is a complicated, irregular network of passages or paths in which it is difficult to find one’s way. Labyrinths date back 4,000 years. The earliest labyrinth we know of was a two story building in Egypt. The name labyrinth comes from the Cretan structure in the myth of Ariadne, Theseus, and the Minotaur. In the Middle Ages, labyrinths were constructed with stones on the floors of Cathedrals. Labyrinths are universal now.
Each morning I walk a labyrinth in our yard as a meditation. It has taught me many things. I walk in sun, rain, snow, wind, heat and cold. Walking brings me fully into the present moment. Otherwise, I would trip on curving stones and fall from the path. Walking the labyrinth takes focus away from my mind to the physical act of staying on the path.
Walking a labyrinth has many similarities to how I find Openings. It takes time to reach the end of a labyrinth. Insights come intuitively along the way. I get tired at times of walking the same path. I stumble on stones as the path narrows. Walking the curves can be awkward. But, I am called back each day to its magic.
Finding Our Way
Many times in life we are called upon to find our own way rather than follow a well-trodden path that meets others’ expectations. As we find our own way, we meet challenges, uncertainty, adventures and puzzles. Experiencing these things transforms us and leads to Openings.
In finding our own way, we proceed without signs and directions made by others. We are called upon to rise up and meet the challenges presented to us. In that way, we build our courage and our strength. This prepares us for advancing in life. We have to sharpen our focus, our vision and our intuitive abilities. We are the heroes on this journey.
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The direction we take on our path is up to us. Choices determine our direction. We find our own signs and take chances. There are both risks and rewards. Life itself is a labyrinth of challenge, choice and Openings.
Being Fully Present
Walking a labyrinth without being fully present is foolhardy. The same is true in life. We must stay alert to the Openings presenting themselves. We won’t see them if our focus is on the past or future. They exist only in the present moment.
There is so much power in the present moment. Eckhart Tolle said “Whatever the present moment contains, accept it as if you had chosen it”. That is what leads us to Openings and a fulfilling journey. We cannot know all that is to happen. The Mystery and the unknown are integral parts of life’s experience. In many ways, that’s what makes life fun.
Life As A Labyrinth
How can we use the symbolism of life as a labyrinth to our advantage? We can give up the notion that life is only one straight path going from life to death. We can accept that life is full of twists and turns. We can accept a construct that challenges us and makes us better. We can enjoy the adventures life gives us. We can acknowledge the sacredness in walking life’s path. We can embrace life’s call to grow.
I am beginning to gain an understanding that challenges in life make transformation possible. I can embrace them and see life as the adventure it is meant to be!
photo: Ermanno Vanino, DesertDwellersTV.com
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