While the word labyrinth may make you think about the Greek legend of the grand labyrinth built to contain the terrifying Minotaur…
Or the 1986 film starring David Bowie…
Modern labyrinths were first introduced in the 13th century and have long been associated with a moving form of meditation.
Walking slowly and with purpose.
Contemplatively.
Mindfully.
They are often confused with mazes…
But while a maze may offer you choices and dead-ends…
Labyrinths are unicursal… a single, continuous path or line… leading into and out of the centre.
My first ever labyrinth happened on a retreat.
First we were guided on a silent, mindful bushwalk… tapping into our senses…
Just observing what was around us.
Then we were led to a labyrinth where we each walked silently, slowly to the centre.
There we each paused for a moment… and then slowly and silently walked out again, following the same path but in reverse.
I loved it.
I’m sure it was that walk that really led me to mindfulness meditation…
And many years later to the idea of training to teach meditation and mindfulness.
A few years ago someone told me about a labyrinth in the Hervey Bay Botanic Gardens.
Yesterday, I finally got to do it.
There’s something so very calming about doing this…
And I love that this is free and so accessible for everyone.
What I didn’t know until today is that there is an Australian Labyrinth Network.
On their website they have an interactive map that shows the various labyrinths around Australia…
Including whether they are public, private or have restricted access.
I’ll definitely be using this again when we are travelling…
I may even have to create my own: Ann’s labyrinth!
Ann 🙏