SPIRITUAL GIFTS
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The most profound benefits of the labyrinth go far beyond the psychological or body/mind connection. Working with the labyrinth is Soul work. When we enter into the realm of Soul, strange things happen. Time changes - seeming to stand still, or fall away into the vast expanse of Eternal Time. Feelings of connection extend in all directions-becoming connected to the deep inner self that is met in solitude, the place where we go to meet God, Goddess, Jesus, Buddha, Allah, Higher Power, Great Spirit, Beloved. Also, connection to others on the path, strangers when met inside the labyrinth are strangers no more. The MIND AND BODY feel unified, and are peacefully joined with the SOUL. Spirit is at home. Intuition and the imagination grasps understanding and meaning that linear logic is unable to describe. There is separateness, that is, awareness of the unique shape and expression of our individual presence, but no separation. Everything is connected. Everything that has been and will be belongs to Divine Purpose, evolving us, transforming us, reminding us of our wholeness and that we are already Home.
Working with the labyrinth is demanding work. The labyrinthine process does not support denial, magical thinking, or pretense. It often pushes us beyond the boundaries of our long held beliefs and attitudes, and thwarts the supplicant completely when there is clinging to limiting wrong-mindedness. It presses to empty ourselves of expectations, to surrender and allow openness and beginners mind, so that the Teacher might teach.
The labyrinth, in all of its varied patterns, is remarkable in that it speaks intimately to the walker in the language of his or her own spiritual language. Mysticism, intimate discernment of conversation with God through discovery of and listening to the deep recesses of the self, the still small voice emanating from inside, is found in every religious tradition and spiritual practice throughout the world. The labyrinth is a path that leads us right into the mystical, that is, the great Mysteriousness of Father/Mother God, whose spiritual offspring we are. We are literally shown the creation in its immensity, and the inclusion of all children of Creation lovingly enfolded. Someone traveling on a distant part of the path, moving in a direction exactly opposite from our own, is being moved to the same place as ourselves. We are all being guided Home.
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