Do you view life as a maze, full of challenges and competition OR as a labyrinth, an opportunity to find yourself along the path?
A maze is designed to confuse you and test your ability to solve the challenge of getting to the centre.
A labyrinth is unicursal, designed with one single path that always leads to the centre.
The Labyrinth at Rivendell
You are not born on one path or the other.
You get to choose your path.
Every single day.
Rational, logical, competitive, pressured ==> You’re in the maze.
Relaxed, present, connected to spirit ==> You’re walking the labyrinth.
Labyrinth thinking takes letting go of societal conditioning to get things done and win at all costs, ie: Who gets to the centre first? It takes letting go of traditional education’s conditioning to do it right and do as your told, ie: Follow the path exactly in order to get a gold star.
Notice your default view.
Maze or Labyrinth.
My work as a coach is not to tell you which path to choose.
It’s not about which path is right, but which path feels right for you.
If you’re alive you’re on the path.
Which would you rather walk?
I really love what you said here. Explaining the difference between a labyrinth and a maze. I would much rather walk a labyrinth :] That’s what it feels like I’m doing anyway <3
Sounds like your inner wisdom has been guiding you then! Lovely thought.
Another jewel of wisdom! I love this. It just hits home in a really profound way. Thanks for this, Sandi!
Thanks Daniel. The gifts of a retreat are many and ongoing, feels so, so good.
A labyrinth..absolutely! There are no dead ends, no potentially frustating twists and turns, and I may walk from my heart space rather than have to think ahead twenty steps to negotiate the maze.. I may enjoy the moment I am in, savoring all that is present as I purposefully take the next step. Thank you for the beautiful reminder!
Yes! The labyrinth is about savouring! Love that.
Oh, I so feel the pull of the maze—and so enjoy the experience of the labyrinth. What a great metaphor, Sandi—it’ll help me to keep choosing relaxed, present and connected. Thanks!
To be clear, I don’t think the maze is wrong. It’s more about noticing my default and which one serves me when.
Thanks for the inspiration Sandi – and the distinction! I agree – both paths will serve their purpose. More important seems to be the awareness of which one you’re on and how it’s serving you, right?
I’m loving what this retreat you had is giving us – thank you for going 🙂
Hehe, glad my retreat is working on you Jackie 😉
I feel like you’re taking us on your retreat, Sandi, with both your words and images. Love the maze vs. the labyrinth. The maze is more familiar than the labyrinth but not as comfortable. The maze feels like it requires a future focus all the time whereas the labyrinth is about staying in the present and just taking the next step. There’s relief in the labyrinth and a feeling of coming home to my center and my Higher Power.
As I said to Jason, I think there’s a time and place for the maze. That’s what makes this distinction powerful for me. Which path feels right and which path serves you in the moment?