Decisions by Design | Edition 18

The Labyrinth: Ancient Technology for Modern Clarity.

Until a few years ago, the only Labyrinth I was familiar with was a movie starring the iconic David Bowie, a young Jennifer Connelly, a bunch of muppets, and a “Babe with power.”

Years later, as I became more spiritually tuned to contemplation as a gateway to higher consciousness, they began to pop up almost everywhere I went. 

My First Walk. 

I found myself standing alone at its threshold. Barefoot on the grass, the scent of fresh thyme and honeysuckle in the air, drawn inward by the green flash of what appeared to be a marble in the sun.

Thirty minutes later, I emerged with a level of inner clarity I would have paid hundreds of dollars for.

A simple walk. A powerful contemplation. A curiosity forever piqued. 

Ancient Pathways.

As it turns out, the history of the labyrinth stretches back thousands of years, intertwining with the spiritual and cultural traditions of numerous civilizations. These ancient geometric patterns have been discovered across various continents, including Europe, Africa, and the Americas, dating as far back as 4,000 years. 

Unlike mazes, which are designed to confuse with dead ends and multiple paths, labyrinths have a singular path that leads to the center and then back out again. Simple, yes. Profound, also yes. And occasionally annoying if you love control and prefer a shortcut (hello, it’s me). 

Walking the Spiral Circle.

The three stages of the labyrinth walk, crossing the threshold to embark on the inward journey, arriving at the center, and returning, are thought to correspond to awakening, transformation, and integration.

As you move toward the center, the mind races, and slowly you begin to let go of external distractions and false identities. Arriving at the center symbolizes coming into stillness, presence, and communion with one’s higher self or divine consciousness. The return path then becomes a process of integrating the wisdom gained from the center back into everyday life.

Walking the labyrinth can be a simple way to reconnect with your higher self, explore unresolved emotions, or find clarity in moments of confusion or transition. It is a space for alignment and recievership, where movement becomes meditation, and each step reflects a deepening connection to your hidden wisdom.

Ultimately, the labyrinth offers a blueprint for transformation. It reminds us that life’s journey is not about arriving at a destination, but rather about the process of moving inward, reaching a place of stillness and awareness, and then bringing that wisdom back into the outer world. 

Give it a try. 

When facing a major decision, I will often encourage my clients to seek out a labyrinth and embark on their own inner pilgrimage. If you can’t walk one, tracing one with your finger can have a similar effect. And you don’t have to walk it alone; bearing witness to others on their journey is a remarkable experience in and of its own. 

Until Next Time, 

With Clarity and Care, 

Courtney