Peace walk

Be softer with you. You are a breathing thing.
A memory to someone. 
A home to a life.
-Nayyirah Waheed

Every Friday since the pandemic began, the Veriditas community of labyrinth enthusiasts from around the world have gathered online to participate, reflect and share in a handheld labyrinth meditation. Last Friday, I facilitated the gathering with the help of the inspiring cello music of Rob Hodges. During these gatherings, we each trace the path of our own small labyrinth with our fingers, as a way of "walking" the labyrinth together, virtually.

Our theme for Friday's "walk" was “Peace for the Walk,” inspired by the Sacred Geometry Card "Peace Offering: Live Peace. Pray Peace" by Francine Hart. As I reflected on this theme, I recalled the familiar phrase “Peace of Mind,” and laughed, if you're familiar with Way of the Peaceful Warrior, then you’ll recall that Mind is anything but peaceful!

These days it feels like what I need more than illusory peace of mind is Peace in my Heart and Peace in my Body. Walking the labyrinth helps bring me to the latter. Quite dependably, the moment my foot, or finger, touches the labyrinth, my body begins to let tension go, I breathe deeply, and settle into the rhythm of the walk. For me, Peace of Body and Breathing walk hand in hand. Peace of Heart, for me however, is a bit trickier to drop into. So I wondered, what part of me, or my heart seeks peace?  With the ups and downs in my life this week alone, the answer for me is “my Mothering Heart.”  And that inspired the invitation I offered for the labyrinth meditation: 

​“What part of you, of your heart, seeks peace? What does your heart say today? What part of you, or which of your many “heart” (rather than hats!), seeks peace?”

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Prayer for Peace by Jose Luis Stevens, from his book Praying with Power

Thank you Spirit for manifesting peace in our world
Thank you for teaching me how to be peaceful
Thank you for the peace I feel inside now
May I be a catalyst for peace in the world
May I live peacefully
I am at peace
I am at peace
I am peace
I am peace
I am peace

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If you don't have a finger labyrinth, you can print a paper labyrinth here. Pick the pattern that most speaks to you. Take a few moments to settle into quiet, prayerful space. Ask yourself the question, then trace the labyrinth path with your finger, from the entrance to the center, and back out again, as you quietly focus on breathing into your heart.

Writing Peace on the labyrinth path.

Further Suggestions for walking in Peace:

1. Write a labyrinth path as a meditation.
2. Create a visual journal page or SoulCollage® Card for the part of you that is seeking peace.
3. Create a Peace Offering, either physically or in meditation (as we did today) for wherever you are experiencing conflict or tension in your life right now.
4. Dance, sing, drum the word Peace, or a poem or prayer about peace that touches you.
5. Join Friday's free, live handheld labyrinth meditation, register at Veriditas.org