Let’s Go Walking in Austin
When I imagine the upcoming Gathering of Wayfinders, I picture a very large group of shiny, happy people who are my tribe. We’re all bringing our divine, silly, funny, just a tad messed up, wrinkly, goofy, boisterous selves to hear Martha Beck talk about her latest book. It’s gonna be a blast. And it’s gonna to be crowded. And the energy’s gonna rev up high.
I love finding ways to take that energy home, but to also wind it back down a bit because – at least for me – that level of “buzz” is unsustainable. I need space for quiet so I can make meaning out of what happened. The best way I know how to do that is to walk a labyrinth. Walking’s always been my preference…I’m not so good at the sit-on-your-cushion-in-the-lotus-position kind of meditation.
Labyrinths aren’t mazes; they’re not designed to trick you or create decision points. If you follow the path, you’ll arrive in the center. And if you follow the path back out from center, you’ll end up where you started. Or not, actually. There’s something about walking in those curves and turns that quiets the mind, allowing you to slooow waaay down. And that’s a very good thing.
I’m always a little different for having walked a labyrinth. Occasionally, the transformation feels big, like there was a “lightning bolt from above” kind of message. More often, though, it’s subtler than that. An idea might float into my head. Or I’ll feel the urge to skip. Mostly, I get calmer. And that’s a very good thing, too.
I’m bringing my canvas labyrinth to Austin this April. Maybe you’ll join us and experience some very good things of your own.