In the Divine Flow: Labyrinths, Part 2 For High Tech Junkies

Engaging in the experience of the labyrinth can be a very spiritual process of incorporating prayer, meditation and reflection to your spiritual disciplines. Labyrinths offer a sacred space to connect with yourself and the Divine.

However, physically walking a labyrinth may not be your piece of cake, so with that in mind, there are similar electronic labyrinths that may suit you either on your computer, notepad or IPhone application downloaded from ITunes called IPAUSE.

With either of the three, you use your finger to do the walking. You can "walk" it on screen with your finger or mouse. Tracing the path in the labyrinth can be relaxing. It also can be balancing as you journey back and forth to the center. Repeat several times in succession to get the most benefit. Try it with your non-dominant hand for more of a challenge. It will help you to give up control and break out of your routine response pattern

Problem solving with the Labyrinth

The most basic metaphor for walking a labyrinth is that of Life’s Journey. Use your finger to trace your path through the labyrinth while keeping mindful of your life or current problem that requires a solution. Envision your life’s goal. Walk to your destiny and see what you learn. What do the turns represent in your life? Do you resist some turns and like others. Do you feel lost at any time? If so, where in the labyrinth did it occur? What does that mean? Why?

Keep in mind the three E’s as a guide, I modified them slightly for your finger walking process

Enter:

Before you begin. Close your eyes and see your starting point. Ask yourself, “What problem do I want to resolve?” Clear your mind from any anxiety, frustration, anger or pain. Open your eyes and then enter.

Experience:

use your fingers to slowly trace your path. Use this time as an opportunity to meditate and reflect on the issue at hand. Allow your breathing to slow and remember to breathe deeply. At various points, stop for a moment, begin to transition your thinking as steps to solving a problem or obstacle, identify the problem and begin brainstorming ideas, as you proceed evaluate each solution. If necessary, shift your thinking if you start daydreaming. What does this problem or obstacle represent to you intellectually, physically, spiritually? Try to distance yourself from the problem, what advice or wisdom can you draw from form your life experience or from the experiences of others?

When you reach the center, stay there and focus several moments, is a resolution becoming apparent? Begin thinking of affirmations to help keep your mind focused on moving beyond the problem and towards a solution. When it seems right, slowly walk away from the center on your return journey. What do you want to leave behind? What do you want to take with you?

Exit:

Close your eyes and mentally retrace the journey of problem solving that you have undertaken. Take a few minutes to jot down some the ideas and thoughts that came to mind. Acknowledge whatever you have received through this process and realize the conclusion of the journey, by acknowledging your Higher Power to help you manifest the needed changes, to be patient with the process, and to have faith that all is well.

More info on the labyrinths from Part I: