02
Jul
This summer solstice I had a strong longing to do something meaningful and sacred, and was led to attend a solstice gathering that was taking place at a nearby labyrinth.
Walking a labyrinth reflects our inner spiritual journey. It is an ancient tool that helps realign us with our higher self, and as we walk the labyrinth we often receive spiritual insights and messages. The week before the summer solstice I had suffered an unexpected loss, and I was hoping that as I walked the labyrinth I would receive some spiritual guidance that would help my aching heart.
Although, initially 20 people had signed up to attend this gathering, due to stormy, unpredictable weather, only five of us showed up. The lovely woman who was leading our small group invited us to walk the labyrinth in whatever way felt right to us. We could walk it fast, or slow, we could pause whenever we needed to, we could keep our shoes on or take them off, and once we got to the center of the labyrinth, where a beautiful fire was burning, we could stay as long as we needed.
This particular labyrinth is located in the vast grounds of an interfaith organization called, The Center. The labyrinth is surrounded by tall, majestic trees. The sounds of birds and the rustling of the wind add to the feeling of having been transported to a magical realm, where tapping into the spirit world is made easier.
As beautiful music played in the background, one by one we silently entered the labyrinth. I decided to take my shoes off, and I was glad I did because the feeling of the earth beneath my feet helped me to stay connected to my body as I opened myself up to the higher realms. I asked my guides what burdens they wanted me to release. This is a familiar question. I ask it all the time when I pray and meditate. Usually I hear guidance about releasing guilt or shame, so I expected to hear some of the same. But instead I heard, “The time of release is over, dear one. Now it’s time to embrace.”
I was stunned. I stood there on the labyrinth confused even as I felt the rightness of that statement. This voice continued, “Embrace it all. That is what brings you freedom. Pour out your love on it all.”
But how could I embrace? I argued back. Embrace the pain of childhood? Embrace the fear of my daughter’s illness? Embrace the hurt and uncertainty of my recent loss? It felt like too much was being asked of me, and yet a part of me could feel the truth of this guidance.
As I reflected on this message I recalled a horrific nightmare—or at least what at first seemed like a nightmare– I had several years ago. It’s pretty intense, as my dreams can often be, and I only share it now because it feels connected to this message I was receiving.
In this dream there was a madman on the loose. He was terrorizing the city, eating human flesh. In the dream I was running and hiding, trying to escape from this man as I tried to warn the city. As I crouched behind a box, hiding from this “monster,” I suddenly understood that the only way to beat this man, to be free of him, was to embrace him. The thought of doing this terrified me, not only because I feared that he would kill me, but because he was gruesome. His body was coated with layers of blood, he wore the body parts of his victims, and the thought of touching him made my skin crawl. Still, I knew that the only thing that would bring me freedom was to lovingly hold him. And as terrified as I was to do this, I simply could not bear the thought of constantly being on the run.
So I got up from my hiding place and revealed myself to him. He growled at me but seemed rather startled that I wasn’t running away. I walked to him and in my head I kept repeating to myself, “Deep inside, he is good. Deep inside, he is good”. As I got close to him, I could smell the blood, and I could see the pieces of skin that were dangling from his body. I worried that I would throw up, or run away, but I kept walking toward him, until finally I put my arms around him.
He towered over me so I was hugging his torso. I held on to him despite the many parts of me that wanted to run. I held on, and I willed myself to love him. It wasn’t that I was forcing myself to love him, but rather digging deep, deep inside until I reached that reservoir of love that comes both from within and from beyond. And as my love poured out at him, he burned until he was transformed.
Back on the labyrinth, I continued to walk. Once I made it to the center I stood staring at the fire for a long time. I didn’t know exactly how to “embrace it all” but I felt Spirit reassuring me that I would be given all of the divine guidance and support I needed to do this. All that was required was my willingness, and as always, I had the free will to say, “No thanks.” As I stared at the fire, I silently replied, “Yes, I am willing,” because as difficult as it seemed to embrace all of this pain, the thought of running away from it my whole life was so much more unbearable.
Follow Up
Releasing our burdens is a necessary and essential part of our healing journey. But Spirit is teaching me that at some point we also need to embrace everything with our infinite, loving heart. This doesn’t mean putting ourselves in harms way, or staying in relationships that do not honor us, but it’s about trusting that the power of our love can free us from the chains that attach us to those painful moments.
What comes up for you as you read this piece? Did any of it resonate with you? Are there painful times in your life that you have struggled to release, and perhaps are now being called to lovingly embrace?
Walking a labyrinth reflects our inner spiritual journey. It is an ancient tool that helps realign us with our higher self, and as we walk the labyrinth we often receive spiritual insights and messages. The week before the summer solstice I had suffered an unexpected loss, and I was hoping that as I walked the labyrinth I would receive some spiritual guidance that would help my aching heart.
Although, initially 20 people had signed up to attend this gathering, due to stormy, unpredictable weather, only five of us showed up. The lovely woman who was leading our small group invited us to walk the labyrinth in whatever way felt right to us. We could walk it fast, or slow, we could pause whenever we needed to, we could keep our shoes on or take them off, and once we got to the center of the labyrinth, where a beautiful fire was burning, we could stay as long as we needed.
This particular labyrinth is located in the vast grounds of an interfaith organization called, The Center. The labyrinth is surrounded by tall, majestic trees. The sounds of birds and the rustling of the wind add to the feeling of having been transported to a magical realm, where tapping into the spirit world is made easier.
As beautiful music played in the background, one by one we silently entered the labyrinth. I decided to take my shoes off, and I was glad I did because the feeling of the earth beneath my feet helped me to stay connected to my body as I opened myself up to the higher realms. I asked my guides what burdens they wanted me to release. This is a familiar question. I ask it all the time when I pray and meditate. Usually I hear guidance about releasing guilt or shame, so I expected to hear some of the same. But instead I heard, “The time of release is over, dear one. Now it’s time to embrace.”
I was stunned. I stood there on the labyrinth confused even as I felt the rightness of that statement. This voice continued, “Embrace it all. That is what brings you freedom. Pour out your love on it all.”
But how could I embrace? I argued back. Embrace the pain of childhood? Embrace the fear of my daughter’s illness? Embrace the hurt and uncertainty of my recent loss? It felt like too much was being asked of me, and yet a part of me could feel the truth of this guidance.
As I reflected on this message I recalled a horrific nightmare—or at least what at first seemed like a nightmare– I had several years ago. It’s pretty intense, as my dreams can often be, and I only share it now because it feels connected to this message I was receiving.
In this dream there was a madman on the loose. He was terrorizing the city, eating human flesh. In the dream I was running and hiding, trying to escape from this man as I tried to warn the city. As I crouched behind a box, hiding from this “monster,” I suddenly understood that the only way to beat this man, to be free of him, was to embrace him. The thought of doing this terrified me, not only because I feared that he would kill me, but because he was gruesome. His body was coated with layers of blood, he wore the body parts of his victims, and the thought of touching him made my skin crawl. Still, I knew that the only thing that would bring me freedom was to lovingly hold him. And as terrified as I was to do this, I simply could not bear the thought of constantly being on the run.
So I got up from my hiding place and revealed myself to him. He growled at me but seemed rather startled that I wasn’t running away. I walked to him and in my head I kept repeating to myself, “Deep inside, he is good. Deep inside, he is good”. As I got close to him, I could smell the blood, and I could see the pieces of skin that were dangling from his body. I worried that I would throw up, or run away, but I kept walking toward him, until finally I put my arms around him.
He towered over me so I was hugging his torso. I held on to him despite the many parts of me that wanted to run. I held on, and I willed myself to love him. It wasn’t that I was forcing myself to love him, but rather digging deep, deep inside until I reached that reservoir of love that comes both from within and from beyond. And as my love poured out at him, he burned until he was transformed.
Back on the labyrinth, I continued to walk. Once I made it to the center I stood staring at the fire for a long time. I didn’t know exactly how to “embrace it all” but I felt Spirit reassuring me that I would be given all of the divine guidance and support I needed to do this. All that was required was my willingness, and as always, I had the free will to say, “No thanks.” As I stared at the fire, I silently replied, “Yes, I am willing,” because as difficult as it seemed to embrace all of this pain, the thought of running away from it my whole life was so much more unbearable.
Follow Up
Releasing our burdens is a necessary and essential part of our healing journey. But Spirit is teaching me that at some point we also need to embrace everything with our infinite, loving heart. This doesn’t mean putting ourselves in harms way, or staying in relationships that do not honor us, but it’s about trusting that the power of our love can free us from the chains that attach us to those painful moments.
What comes up for you as you read this piece? Did any of it resonate with you? Are there painful times in your life that you have struggled to release, and perhaps are now being called to lovingly embrace?