Labyrinth - The Walking Meditation

Labyrinths have been around for over 4000 years and are found in almost every major religion in the world, used as meditation and prayer tools.. They have been part of many cultures such as Native American, Greek, Celtic and Mayan. During the crusades, they were used to symbolize the pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Today, labyrinths are used for reflection, meditation, prayer and comfort. The Chartres Cathedral in France had a labyrinth 42 feet in diameter in the stone floor, around the year 1200. That's nearly 300 years before Columbus discovered America. In fact, labyrinth designs are found on coins, pottery, or rocks dating back to 3000 B.C.
Many people make the mistake of thinking a labyrinth and a maze are the same. A maze has dead ends and many trick turns. A labyrinth has only one path leading to the center and back out again. There are no dead ends. The labyrinth symbol relates to wholeness. It combines the imagery of the circle and the spiral into a meandering but purposeful path. The object of the labyrinth is to journey to our own center and back again out into the world.
When you walk a labyrinth, you meander back and forth, turning 180 degrees each time you enter a different circuit. As you shift your direction you also shift your awareness from right brain to left brain. This is one of the reasons the labyrinth can induce receptive states of consciousness.
Each person's walk is a personal experience. Each time is different. Some people walk for clearing the mind and centering. Others enter with a question or concern. The time in the center can be used for receiving, reflecting, meditating, or praying, as well as discovering our own inner peace. Most people focus on a question, a prayer or a thought to hold in their mind's eye. When you walk the labyrinth, your mind quiets, and you are able to hear your inner voice, giving you guidance and encouragement which you are focusing on. Hundreds of labyrinths have been created in America, in churches, hospitals, and work places. The beneficial effects include focusing the mind, slowing the breathing, inducing a state of peace, reducing stress, and healing diseases.

Where has Emily Post gone?

I often wonder what has happened to etiquette and manners nowadays. Some feel it cramps their style or "freedom" to express themselves. Maybe it is yet another lost art and a sign of the times. However, I expect some things in everyday dealings with my fellow man/woman. I expect a cashier to thank me, make eye contact, and (God forbid) even put my groceries into my shopping cart BEFORE starting on the next customer in line. When I am on the interstate and I am driving in the far right hand lane, I know I have the right of way. But I was taught that if a car is coming onto the interstate in the "on" ramp, that I should move over, if I am able, as a matter of courtesy. It's called an acceleration ramp, but they must yeild the right of way. Sounds like a conflict, but there it is. As with most things today, everyone has rights. Most have forgotten that responsibilty goes hand in hand with rights. People don't care about your rights, only their own. Should I move the unattended shopping cart in my way, as I go down the grocery aisle? Should I ask the parent of a annnoying child in church, to please make them be quiet? Cell phones open up a new era in manners and etiquette. It use to be, people had to go to where the phone was and have a conversation in relative privacy. Now they let the whole world in on their conversation at the bank, in line at the store or fast food joint, even in public restrooms. And if you dare say something to them, they are outragged that you stuck your nose into their "private" conversation. How rude of me???