FINDING ANSWERS TO HARD QUESTIONS IN A SACRED LABYRINTH

In a previous article, I shared my private thoughts and wrote about the reason for my stay at the lovely Golden Door Spa in Southern California. But I didn’t share my experience connecting with a sacred labyrinth and the clarity it brought me. After musing about my unease and stress, I am amazed how many of you connected, in a positive manner, with my feeling that it is OK to think about yourself and your needs. Many of you promised me you would take the time to care for yourselves. I truly hope you do.

OUTER SELF CARE BEFORE THE SACRED LABYRINTH

Initially, I planned to take care of my outer self at the Door. Friends, I can assure you, I accomplished my goal.

At this heavenly retreat, I spent my time taking supervised daily walks in the meadows; through small bamboo forests; down dirt roads lined on both sides with avocado, lemon, lime, and orange trees; into the gardens with all kinds of organic vegetables and fruits; and past the chicken coops where freshly laid eggs were collected for breakfast. I ate healthy food, nourishing my body and mind, took daily stretching and Pilates classes on mats, and participated in dance classes. My stay included a daily facial, massage, and a manicure and pedicure. It was bliss!

As I nourished the outer me, a contentedness found its way back to the inner me. Each new breath I took was laden with peace.

On the fourth day of my stay at the Golden Door Spa, a sacred labyrinth and I connected, and I found a solution to a serious situation I had been dealing with for years.

DISCOVERING THE SACRED LABYRINTH

At the Golden Door there are two sacred labyrinths.

The labyrinth my husband and I went to required us to first drive, and then hike the rest of the way. It was primitive, made of rocks, and high up in the mountains overlooking the Pacific Ocean. When I saw it, I didn’t feel an emotional pull to enter.

Fortunately, one of the leaders of the Golden Door, Carol, stood beside me and prompted me to enter. My response to her, “I have not one question whirling through my mind that needs an answer. I don’t feel drawn to this labyrinth.”

WALKING TO ANSWERS

“Just start the process and see what happens,” she said in her very calm voice. “After your walk, I have a bag of rocks with inscribed words, and you will put your hand into the bag, and without looking choose your rock with your personal message.”

I walked away from her, entered the sacred labyrinth without a thoughtful intention and began.

As soon as I took three steps, darlings, my mind drew me to a 25-year-old serious problem. This sacred labyrinth and my mind in some manner connected. By the time I reached the center, I was in awe that I found my answer.

During my journey out of the labyrinth, I felt powerful, and hoped my rock inscription would be the word “power.”

THE INSPIRED INSCRIPTION ON MY ROCK

I was overjoyed with positive emotion as I shared my feelings with Carol. As I left the labyrinth, I was fully prepared to choose my stone, and knew it would say something inspired. But it did not say “power,” as I wished. If I’m telling the truth, I was disappointed and did not like the stone I chose.

Carol assured me I would come to love its message in time.

And she was absolutely right.

Fast forward to the present, my stone sits on my perfume tray. I see it each day and every night. The word “ acceptance “ and its message is far better than the one I wanted. I wanted the word “power” on my rock to give me the emotional strength to take the action I decided upon in the labyrinth.

Instead, the word “acceptance” gives me that power to accept my decision. I am grateful.

ACCEPTANCE IS POWER

And now for the moral of my musings. Each of us is beset with possibly one unsolvable situation. No kind words, gestures, or anything else will solve the problem unless there is action on our part to lay the problem to rest. And, we must find our way of doing this and then accept our decision. This is our power.

For myself, I found my way in the sacred labyrinth. My strong action, which I took, finalized my 25-year-old problem without one word. I found my power, and I accept my decision. I am smiling.

How do you find answers to difficult questions? Share your wisdom in the comments!

I connect with the sacred when I travel. The Honey Good community is taking a trip and you are invited! To learn more, SUBSCRIBE HERE.

Originally published at https://www.honeygood.com on October 3, 2023.