By Sandra Nelson
It was early July when the flyer caught my eye; “The Sacred
Labyrinth: Spirituality in Motion.” Advertising the one-credit
class, taught by Eunice Schroeder D. Min., at Marylhurst University,
the flyer hung from a wall in the August Moon, a community cultivation
center in Vancouver, WA. As a graduate of Marylhurst, I knew
the price of tuition was one thing I couldn’t afford at
the time, and yet I copied the information on to a piece of paper
and dropped it in my bag. For the next three weeks I thought
about the class, as that piece of paper seemed to draw my attention.
Just inside of my front door at home is a basket, which holds
the incoming mail waiting to be sorted and opened. With the mail
piling up, one piece, an un-solicited card, got tired of waiting
and landed on the floor. After walking past it several times
I finally picked it up.The words “Marylhurst University” caught
my attention. That un-solicited card was a tuition voucher for
one credit toward any class!
The entire chain of events suddenly came into focus as I realized
how things were obviously being orchestrated on my behalf. Being
drawn to such a class is not unusual, but writing the information
for a class I can’t afford is. Having that same piece of
paper surface repeatedly in my bag, then later on my desk at
home is somewhat of a miracle in itself.
With voucher in hand, and with the excitement of a giddy child
at Christmas, I called the registrar’s office at Marylhurst
University. I introduced myself to the gentleman who answered,
told him why I was calling, and before I knew it I asked him
if the voucher was real. He assured me that it was valid and
could be used toward any class. Within minutes, I was registered
for class.
I bought a copy of the recommended reading, Walking A Sacred
Path: Rediscovering the Labyrinth as a Spiritual Tool by
Dr. Lauren Artress. About
a year ago I walked a labyrinth for the first time. I was told
that walking the labyrinth was a spiritual experience, but at
the time didn’t understand how walking a narrow, winding
path sometimes crowded with people could be spiritual.
Still not knowing why I was given this class, I started to read. Finding that
Dr. Artress is a pastor of Grace Cathedral in San Francisco I assumed that I
was about to read a book filled with the usual dogma of organized religion, which
I had turned away from years ago. However, by page three I found myself underlining
the nuggets of truth, inspiration, and wisdom found throughout the book. I couldn’t
wait to walk the labyrinth again…for the first time, as others have been
doing for centuries.
Since appearing at least 4000 years ago, versions of the now classical, seven-circuit
labyrinth have been found in remote sites around the globe.Laid out in fields,
atop mountains, and embedded within church floors, the labyrinth has been a sort
of compass, guiding humanity back to our spiritual center.
Labyrinths
and the simple spiral designs on which they are based, have been
replicated on coins, pottery, and cave walls as far back as the
megalithic societies of the British Isles over 5000 years ago.
Although many theories exist, the true purpose of the labyrinth,
and when and where it originated remains a mystery.
It didn’t take long to learn why I was given such a wonderful
gift at this time in my life. As I read how the labyrinth helps
one “seek self-knowledge, relieves burdens from the past,
and heal relationships,” I became hopeful. After my divorce
in 1990 the search for a new life began. Moving forward while often
looking back only works when the path is smooth, but the path is
rarely smooth. I know it’s best to forgive as I move forward,
yet I hold on to some of the memories that still hurt.
“Healing on the labyrinth comes in the form of renewed strength
and perspective that is needed when illness has made us vulnerable,” she
wrote. Holding on to parts of the past has not only slowed my emotional
healing, but the physical as well. I live with fibromyalgia, chronic
fatigue, and periods of depression. A few years ago it was suggested
that my depression was in fact, grief. I have been told to cry…let
it out. Still, I have not cried. Again, Artress touched my heart
with her words, “Crying for yourself can heal deep wounds.” And
she shared a Sufi verse, “When the heart weeps for what it‘s
lost, the soul rejoices for what it’s found.”
Through books, workshops, writing and talking with my teachers
I have been learning; filling a tool kit, (so-to-speak). My studies
have included the Ascended Masters, Native American Shamanism,
Egyptian, Angels, Nature Spirits, trees, stones, past life and
more. For years I have asked what my spiritual work will be. Where
is my place in the world? How will I know? Then I read, “They
come for insight into how their unique skills can serve the world.” I
realized that I have been given another tool for my kit. Walking
the labyrinth will help me find my way.
In preparation for class I voiced my gratitude for the gift and
asked why I received it at this time in my life. I was told it
was to release my feelings of unworthiness to receive. With that,
I remembered asking the registrar if the voucher was real. Obviously
I felt unworthy to receive this wonderful, unexpected gift.
This summer I started working with tree limbs making walking sticks,
staffs, prayer sticks and other ceremonial items. After working
with limbs from several different trees, I was given a pile of
branches of Rose of Sharon, a deciduous bush with rose-like blossoms.
Removing the bark revealed wood that is stunningly white. In addition
to its beauty, each piece felt bigger, fuller than its physical
size. Rose of Sharon carries a feeling of wholeness. When describing
this wood to a friend, I told her it felt “holy,” a
word I normally wouldn’t use to describe anything. But it
is true; Rose of Sharon carries the energy of wholeness and holiness.
The center of the eleven-circuit labyrinth is often referred to
as the “rosette.” The rose is often a symbol of Mother
Mary. According to Artress, during the High Middle Ages, “The
Cistercians, through Saint Bernard of Clairvaux…instituted
the practice of the intercessionary prayers to her (Mary) frequently
referring to her as the Rose of Sharon.” Using the word “holy” to
describe the Rose of Sharon wood was quite appropriate after all.
I realized how important and powerful this labyrinth walk was to
me. I was going to release something near and dear to my ego: my
unworthiness to receive. The little voice inside started shouting
at me: This is going to change everything. Are you sure you want
this? What will life be without it?
The only way to stop fear is to move through it, and I did. I was
the first to step onto the prayer rug, and with a crystal in one
hand and a piece of Rose of Sharon wood in the other, I entered
my journey.
For more information on Sandra and her work, surf: www.naturespirit.com
