World Labyrinth Day 2014

I so enjoyed getting together with old friends to walk this beautiful labyrinth on World Labyrinth Day, May 4, 2014. It was created several years ago by Lars Howlett of Discover Labyrinths. It is located in an old rock quarry and he chose stones from the hillside. At some times of the year the path is well-trodden, with very few "weeds" obscuring the stones. But today the California dandelions shimmering in a lovely pale yellow haze lined the paths of our meditative walk.

Sometimes people think that it requires a special event - like World Labyrinth Day - to walk a labyrinth.

A wonderful view of the Chartres Labyrinth from above

This photo came from Medytacja Labiryntu, on facebook, but I can find no attribution for photographer. It may be what Jeff Saward at labyrinthos.net refers to as the "often-published overhead photograph that appears in many books". "Like" their page to receive their fb posts (in Polish, but the translations can be read patiently. very funny.).

Construction of a labyrinth

In honor of World Labyrinth Day, today, May 4, 2013. This is a labyrinth event I facilitated last fall.

Beautiful Lavender Labyrinth

This beautiful lavandula labyrinth is in Katellaun, Germany, developed by Christa Wendling in 2005. A video is posted on the link below of the planting of the garden, other pictures, descriptions of labyrinths, information on the plants.

Solstice Labyrinth Walk

Contemplation

At this time of year, the universe pauses.

From June 19th through 22nd, 2012, the length of daylight remains the same; the sun rises at 5:48 a.m. and sets at 8:35 p.m. (PDT) The cosmos holds its breath. During this change of season, mid-way through the year is a beautiful opportunity for us to also pause and reflect on what has been planted and is now coming to fruition. Last evening, we held a Solstice Labyrinth Walk to do just that.

Measurements for building a labyrinth

I have just found a wonderful website that will provide (metric) dimensions for your labyrinth if you plug one measurement such as path width into their excel spreadsheet. Here is the link.  I hope it lasts.

Labyrinth at Princeton Harbor

Created by Lars Howlett and friends, Spring Equinox 2009

Over the last several years, I have fallen in love with labyrinths.  My fun project for this fall is to photograph labyrinths around San Francisco, starting with one a mile away from my house.  It appeared about a year ago, overlooking the harbor at Princeton-by-the-Sea.  Maintained by invisible hands, I have also started to arrange the stones and sweep when I am there.

 
For me, meditation is the state of open-heart and open-mind; when body, mind, and emotions are aware and calm.  I include labyrinths in my meditation classes.  People are often surprised that you can meditate while moving, having come to the conclusion that it is necessary to sit absolutely still to achieve enlightenment.  (Half-smile)  In truth, we are moving all the time, with our breath, our pulse, the electrical currents running through our nerves. The dance stops when our inner rhythm section stops keeping the beat.  Rather than trying to control the body by blocking movement, we can relax into the motion and learn to walk in a meditative state all the time.