Tonight, I was interviewed about dreams by Michael Dixon at WCCO radio in Minnesota. As we closed, he mentioned he’d many times walked the labyrinth at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco. If you have a labyrinth near you (and they are appearing all over these days!), you might consider taking some time and visiting one. Labyrinths are not mazes–there’s one way in, and one way out (a metaphor for the path of life)–and they encourage a meditative, dreamlike state in even the busiest of minds.
If you’re looking for your next project, feeling stuck in your life, or just curious about your inner world, walking a labyrinth while holding the images from an important dream can be a wondrous experience. If you’ve had a dream feeling or image that’s still puzzling or disturbing to you, hold it in your mind and watch what images and thoughts arise while walking the labyrinth. Then, consider how both images/thoughts are related to one another; could it be that the image or thought appearing in your mind while thinking about the dream is what the dream image actually represented? If you aren’t near a labyrinth, you can find them in tabletop versions, and if you’re so inspired, can even make your own!
Labyrinths have been walked for centuries by people of many backgrounds and for many purposes. Karen Cross, whom I met when leading a dream workshop at Rancho La Puerta, has a beautiful and informative website about labyrinths; the labyrinth on her farm in Michigan is a classical Chartres labyrinth.
Labyrinths can help you find new insight and inspiration, and a sense of calm determination and clarity. Try it out, and let me know what you think. As always, feel free to contact me here by commenting, or use the links to your right! Sweet dreams…