World Labyrinth Day

I enter, not knowing why I come, but needing a path. And so I follow, taking a breath at each turn of direction – letting my eyes follow my left index finger as I slowly trace the route. I have no question, so my mind falls into the Now, simply focused on the journey.

I turn, circling the center, yet I know I have many steps to go to find myself within that space. The turns come quickly here, forcing me to pause and breathe often, releasing the tension I was unaware I carry.

A longer path extends, and I find myself drifting – past becomes present becomes future. Only the path matters… a direction ahead… curving gently, then reaching another switchback. Deep breath in, deep breath out, and then move again. The deep breaths come slower, the path between turns longer, the world now is gone.

Gentle movement, and then I find myself enclosed in a circle. I am one with the center of the path, surrounded by all of the twists and turns I’ve made to get here.

I am calm.

I am still.

My mind is still.

I allow myself to just Be.

The moment passes, and I begin to retrace my steps with my right index finger, slowly walking again and breathing at the turns. The long walk takes me halfway around, my time at a gentle pace, becoming aware again slowly of my touch of the paper, the ache in my back, the breeze bringing the scent of the spring lilacs through my window.

The path between turns shortens, and I find my brain waking up, returning to the world. Faster turns, more breaths – and then I exit the labyrinth, gazing upon the entirety of my travels, printed simply on a standard sheet of paper. My walk to stillness and return to vibrancy over a half-hour, completely within the confines of this single sheet of paper.

I am at peace with myself, ready to re-enter the world anew.