The labyrinth is a beautiful way to slow down.  Following a single path as it winds toward the center and back out, the mind gets usually becomes quieter.  Our pace often changes.  Whatever happens, we’re changed a bit for having walked.

If you’ve never walked a labyrinth before, here are some resources to get you started:

• Read about them:  Veriditas, an organization dedicated to inspiring personal and planetary change and renewal through the labyrinth experience, offers this info.
• Find a labyrinth:  The Worldwide Labyrinth Locator offers a comprehensive listing of indoor and outdoor labyrinths.
• Walk with your fingers:  Finger Labyrinth HD is available on iTunes for free.  Let your fingers trace the path in the labyrinth on your screen!

I spend lots of time talking with people about what their best lives would look like.  On the surface they’re searching for things like a new career, or a new home, or a new relationship. Some want to write a book or build a new company.  Others want to volunteer for a worthy non-profit.  Many want to travel the world.

What they’re really searching for is a feeling.  They believe  “When ______________ appears in my life, I will feel __________________.”  Whether it’s a new love, a promotion, the car or dining room table you’ve lusted after for years, or pretty much everything else you want, there’s always a feeling you believe you’ll feel upon the attainment of that desire.

At the core of pretty much everything we want is peace, love, or connection.  To me, that feels like coming home.  A feeling of relief, of being able to exhale.  Of letting my guard down and trusting that all is already well.  It’s sort of like the “ahhh” you feel when you take off a tight pair of shoes or pants.  I don’t know about you, but that moment’s pretty heavenly for me!

My friend and teacher, Martha Beck, and I recently welcomed a new group of coaching students to her training program.  During our call, she said:

“Every prayer you’ve ever prayed, 

every longing you’ve thrown out into the Universe 

was heard and answered immediately, 

and the answer was always ‘yes.’  

BUT…the Universe never sends your mail 

to any place but your real address.  

Your real address is peace.  It’s self-love.  It’s calm.  

In that moment when we can go home, we can collect all our mail.“

It’s our job to keep finding ways to return home and collect our mail.  Some people pray.  Others meditate.  Still others find home in creating art. There are so many ways to connect and feel the abundance of our Universe.  It’s just a matter of finding which ones work for you.  The important thing is to try, and to notice what feels best.

For me, “home” is in the labyrinth, where I can walk slowly (or not), pray (or not), and create enough quiet sometimes that I’ll spot the mail that’s been waiting for me to find it.  Home’s also in a certain red Adirondack chair, tucked under some trees, down on Wildflower Pond (which happens to be in my backyard).  When my hands are in dirt, or when I’m standing quietly with a horse, I’m home, too.

Where’s home for you?  Have you gotten any good mail lately?