The Three R’s for the Holidays: Releasing, Receiving, Returning by Laura Grace

Gifts of the Soul

Since embarking on a delicious three month sabbatical, I have been drawn to walking labyrinths on Sunday mornings. Labyrinths are an archetype, a divine imprint, found in all religious traditions in various forms around the world. The most well known labyrinth is located at Notre Dame de Chartres Cathedral in Chartres, France. In Native American culture labyrinths are called the Medicine Wheel or the Man in the Maze. The Celts described it as the Never Ending Circle. One feature they all share is that they have one path which winds in a circuitous way to the center.

My husband and I have been longtime lovers of the labyrinth; a path where there are no dead ends. The labyrinths we used to build were designed from the Chartres Labyrinth model. We would invite the public and take great pleasure in creating a beautiful 11-circuit labyrinth along the sands of Morro Strand. Together, we would embark on the three stages of the “walk”: 1. Releasing:  Letting go of the details of your life. This is the act of shedding thoughts and distractions and a time for opening the heart and quieting the mind. 2. Receiving: Reaching the center and contemplating what is there for you to receive. 3. Returning:  Following the same path out of the center as you walked in, and entering the third stage, which is joining with your Higher Power, or the healing forces at work in the world. It has been said that each time you walk the labyrinth you become more empowered to find and do what your soul is reaching for.

As we approach the holi-day season, you might be wondering, “What do labyrinths have to do with anything?” Labyrinths are a powerful way to connect with your deeper self, and during the holidays, it’s especially important to foster that connection. We are all familiar with some of the biggest holiday triggers, including:

1.      Relationships— After being thrust together for several days, family misunderstandings and conflicts can intensify. Yet on the other hand, facing the holidays without a loved one can leave one feeling lonely and sad.

2.      Finances—With added expenses for food, travel, and gifts, the holidays can put a strain on your budget.

3.      Physical/Emotional Demands—Shopping, entertaining, spending time with others, can be draining physically and emotionally, leading to more stress and creating a vicious cycle of activity-fatigue-stress, and so forth.

Some practices for remaining centered this holiday season entail being realistic, reaching out for help when you need it, acknowledging your feelings, sticking to a budget, planning ahead, saying “no” when necessary, and maintaining healthy habits which includes your spiritual practice.

In my own life, I’ve seen how tempted I can become to abandon some of my healthy practices during the holidays.  When family is in town and the kids are running around and there’s no privacy, well…you get the picture. Finding a place of quiet, yet alone space to journal, meditate, or just take a deep breath, can be challenging. And that’s why getting outdoors and walking a labyrinth can be the perfect antidote.

Last Sunday, as I walked a labyrinth in Los Olivos, CA, my creative juices began flowing and my heart was filled with inspiration. As you enter into this holiday season, may you experience the three R’s that the labyrinth was created for: Releasing, Receiving and Returning.

 © Copyright 2010 Laura Grace. All Rights Reserved.

Winter-2009 - "Faith-in-it As You Make It"

June-July 2004 - "Deepening Your Spiritual Practice"

April-May 2004 - "Life's Crossroads: Love-vs-Fear"

December 2003 Column - "Touching the Heart of Others"

November 2003 Column - "Knowing How to Care for Yourself"

Visit:
www.LauraGrace.net

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