Reflections from the November 2011 Labyrinth Walk

Notes and reflections from a Pilgrim at the October 2011 Labyrinth walk who reflected today that she gained other insights at the Solstice Walk.  I have made slight edits or format adjustments for clarity only.

^{ORIGINAL JOURNALING October 2011}

^{Ujjayi breathing works}

^{What I leaned from the turkey feather:}

^{a) the base is disorganized in pattern  it has a vital function in maintaining warmth and life}

^{b) the main shaft pattern is almost symmetrical, but not absolutely so   it shows steps}

^{c) ther (sic) are parts that are disjointed but form part of the pattern}

    ^{Learning new ways of living is like this, first random and disorganized, then falling into a pattern that has a natural function}

 ^{LATER I REVIEWED AND EXPANDED.   1080 LABYRINTH  MY FIRST WALK. Fall 2011}

^{I began yoga classes in August. As a result of that I am learning to look at myself from a different perspective.  One of my teachers told us that there is no winning or losing in yoga, we each have to honor our bodies and do the best we can.  I am trying to do that by maintaining my yoga practice and eating well and balancing my life.  Today, I was apprehensive about walking the labyrinth;  I had heard about them and had walked one years ago without feeling much gained by doing so}

^{(Today)  I was welcomed with such warmth, that I was able to open my mind to contemplate the turkey feather that offered itself to me.}

^{What I learned was:}

•      ^{ujjayi breathing works.   It really helped me clear my mind and concentrate on being present.}
•   ^{the turkey feather started out as just a turkey feather, but as I thought about the changes I wanted to make in my life,    a pattern emerged.}
  •    ^{the lowest part of the feather is small and appears disorganized in pattern, even so it is this disorganization that traps air and keeps the bird warm.}
  •   ^{the main shaft pattern is almost symmetrical, but not absolutely so.  The pattern develops over the length of the feather. Some steps in the pattern are larger than others and some stripes are straighter than others.}
  •  ^{some of the barbs are separated but still form part of the pattern}
  •  ^{learning new ways of living is like this}
    •   ^{first I am unsure and changes feel random and disorganized.  This is the stage I am in now, remember it is essential for learning and growing}
    • ^{from the growing a pattern of what is right for me will develop, not on a rigid time schedule or in an obvious regular pattern}
    •  ^{occasionally the pattern may appear to fall apart, but like the turkey preening its feathers restores the pattern and the feather to its full purpose, the falling away from changes can be forgiven and reassumed}

 ^{It is so easy to get distracted by other people in the labyrinth and wonder if I am doing it “right”}