Labyrinth walking: Origin, patterns, significance, walking procedures

~666 ~

International Journal of Yogic, Human Movement and Sports Sciences 2018; 3(2): 666-673

ISSN: 2456-4419

Impact Factor: (RJIF): 5.18

Yoga 2018; 3(2): 666-673

www.theyogicjournal.com

Received: 19-05-2018

Accepted: 20-06-2018

Jai Paul Dudeja

Professor and Director, Amity

University, Gurgaon, Haryana,

India

Correspondence

Jai Paul Dudeja

Professor and Director, Amity

University, Gurgaon, Haryana,

India

Labyrinth walking: Origin, patterns, significance,

walking procedures and spiritual benefits

Jai Paul Dudeja

Abstract

A Labyrinth is a particular pattern (generally circular, sometimes square etc.), walking through which in

a particular way enhances energy, brings peace of mind, freshness, emotional quotient, spiritual quotient,

love, compassion etc of the walker. Labyrinth patterns have been on the scene for the last thousands of

years in many countries in and outside India. A ‘typical’ labyrinth sequentially involves the ‘preparing’

to walk designated path one way towards the centre in the given labyrinth pattern (called ‘releasing’)

followed by spending adequate time in the centre (called, receiving’) returning from the centre towards

the exit following through the same pathway (called ‘returning’), and finally recollecting and recording

the experience (called ‘journaling’) after the walk. Besides, it has been argued that the breathing-based

(Sohum-mantra-based, for example) walking through the labyrinth enhances the beneficial effects as

compared to walkthrough without a mantra. Different patterns of Labyrinth result in different benefits to

the walker, which are explained in this paper.

Keywords: Labyrinth, maze, patterns, walking meditation, spirituality, Mahabharata

1. Introduction

A labyrinth is a patterned path, often circular in form, used as a walking meditation or spiritual

practice. A labyrinth's walkway is arranged in such a way that the participant moves back and

forth across the circular (or square or rectangular) form through a series of curves, ending at

the Labyrinth's heart or centre. It is unicursal, which means that it has only one entrance and

leads in only one direction

[1, 2]

. Although the word maze is often used as a synonym for

labyrinth, mazes are sometimes multicursal in design; the user has to make choices at many

points along the path. Mazes often have more than one entrance, and at times, contain many

wrong turns and dead ends.

A ‘typical’ labyrinth sequentially involves the ‘preparing’ to walk designated path one way

towards the centre in the given labyrinth pattern (called ‘releasing’) followed by spending

adequate time in the centre (called, receiving’) returning from the centre towards the exit

following through the same pathway (called ‘returning’), and finally recollecting and recording

the experience (called ‘journaling’) after the walk

[3]

2. Origin of Labyrinth Walkthrough in countries outside India

The English word labyrinth is derived from the Greek word labyrinths, which in turn may

come from labrys, the word for the double-headed axe associated with the Minoan culture on

the island of Crete that was at its height around 1650 B.C.E According to the Greek historian

Herodotus (c. 450 B.C.E.), King Minos of Crete asked an Athenian architect and inventor

named Daedalus to build a house with winding passages for the Minotaur, a monster that his

queen had borne after having intercourse with a bull. This mythical Cretan labyrinth was

actually a maze rather than a true labyrinth, as it was intended to prevent those who entered it

as human sacrifices to the Minotaur from escaping.

Walking the labyrinth combines actions of the body, mind, and spirit in an ancient, yet

currently used, activity—a walking meditation. The labyrinth has reemerged as a result of

attention from Reverend Dr. Lauren Artress, President and Founder of Veriditas, The Voice of

the Labyrinth Movement in San Francisco

[2]

~ 667 ~

International Journal of Yogic, Human Movement and Sports Sciences

The human mind is a cooperative or joint effort between two

distinct brains: our left and right hemispheres. Each

hemisphere understands the world in vastly different ways.

While the left brain is concerned with logic, details and facts,

the right brain is based on feelings, emotions and imagination.

Our personality is determined and moulded by which brain,

left or right, we allow to be dominant in resolving problems

and making decisions in our daily life. This view of a "two

brained" mind has produced a new model of mental illness

seen as a struggle for dominance by each brain. Therapies

seek to lessen the conflicts between opposite parts of our

brain and coax them to work together in peace and harmony.

In the classic labyrinth there is left-right and right-left

movement combined with boredom, future planning, goal

attainment and repetition. Each element forces the two brains

to cooperate on a mental as well as physical level. If some

problem is contemplated while performing the labyrinth, it is

possible that logic and emotional compromises will likewise

be mediated. The labyrinth is just such an exercise in "team

building" between the left and right brains, forcing them to

cooperate on a task in which they must both learn to trust and

compromise. In this way, it may indeed be therapeutic.

Hospitals have used labyrinths as a support tool for treating

diseases such as cancer. The act of walking a labyrinth

awakens the potential for contemplation, reflection, and

transformation, according to data from the Oncology Nursing

Society. These data indicate that walking a labyrinth is a form

of psychoneuroimmunology that may use for integrative

patient care. Labyrinths are available to nurses as a tool for

aiding patients undergoing oncology treatment to reach a

contemplative and altered state of consciousness.

Labyrinths have been found in many cultures around the

world, including ancient India, Spain, Peru, and China.

Members of the Tohono O'odham and Pima tribes in southern

Arizona have made baskets for centuries decorated with the

so-called "man in the maze" design. The labyrinth pattern

woven into the basket represents the path to the top of a local

sacred mountain known as Baboquivari (following figure).

Fig 1: This labyrinth is believed by the Pima to be a floor plan to the

house of I'itoi, and by the Tohono O'odham to be a map giving

directions to his house.

According to the legend, at the beginning of the Spanish

conquest of what is present day Arizona, a certain Spanish

officer and his men tried to dig their way into Baboquivari.

Suddenly, the ground under them opened and Baboquivari

swallowed them. This legend has similarities to Francisco

Vásquez de Coronado search for the Seven Cities of Cibola

and a place called Quivira, where, he was told, he could get

his hands on unlimited quantities of gold.

More than five hundred ancient stone labyrinths have been

identified in Scandinavia. Most are located near the coast, and

are thought to have been used for rituals intended to guarantee

good fishing or protection from storms. The best-known

labyrinths in the West, however, are those dating from the

middle Ages. They were built as substitutes for going on a

pilgrimage to Jerusalem, a journey that was physically or

economically impossible for most Christians in Western

Europe during this period. Cathedrals were designated as

pilgrimage shrines, and labyrinths were embedded in the

stone floors of the cathedrals as part of the shrine's design.

The labyrinth on the floor of Chartres Cathedral in France was

installed around 1200 A.D. (following figure), and a similar

labyrinth in Amiens Cathedral was made around the same

time.

Fig 2: labyrinth on the floor of Chartres Cathedral in France

Tracing the path through the labyrinth, often on the knees,

was for many pilgrims the final act of devotion on the

pilgrimage. The circuitous journey to the center of the

labyrinth represented the many turnings in the journey of life,

a journey that required the Church's guidance and support.

Medieval labyrinths were circular in shape, the circle being a

universal symbol of wholeness, completion, and unity.

By the seventeenth century, however, many cathedral

labyrinths were removed or destroyed. There is some

disagreement among scholars regarding the reasons for their

removal. Some experts think that the labyrinths were removed

because the cathedral clergy had forgotten their history and

original purpose, while others speculate that they were

destroyed to prevent children from playing on them during

Mass and disturbing worship. Another factor was the growth

of rationalism in the seventeenth century and the hostility

toward religion that emerged during the French Revolution at

the end of the eighteenth century. The labyrinths were

regarded as remnants of "superstition" and therefore offensive

to "enlightened" people.

During the middle ages, people made pilgrimages to these

great churches instead of going to Jerusalem. It became the

custom to walk the labyrinth to the centre and then retrace the

path out of the labyrinth. This "walking the labyrinth" was

seen as a spiritual event. By walking the labyrinth, the faithful

traced the path of a long and difficult life on earth, beginning

with birth, at the entrance, and ending with death, at the

center. The way out symbolized the fact or hope that a well

lived life continued in either heaven or purgatory.

The contemporary revival of interest in labyrinth walking

began in the early 1990s, when Dr. Lauren Artress, a

psychotherapist who was on the Special Ministries staff of

~ 668 ~

International Journal of Yogic, Human Movement and Sports Sciences

Grace Cathedral (Episcopal) in San Francisco, attended a

Mystery Seminar led by Jean Houston, who describes herself

as "a scholar and researcher in human capacities," and directs

the Foundation for Mind Research in Pomona, New York. Dr.

Houston presented the labyrinth as a tool for spiritual growth

that would lead the seminar participants to their spiritual

center. She had taped the forty-foot-wide pattern of the

Chartres Cathedral labyrinth on the floor of the meeting room.

Dr. Artress felt drawn to return to the labyrinth later that night

and found walking through it a powerful experience. She then

made a pilgrimage to Chartres itself in 1991, followed by

further research into the history and significance of labyrinths.

After returning to the United States, Dr. Artress made a

canvas version of the Chartres labyrinth for use in the San

Francisco cathedral. It was introduced to the public on

December 30, 1991, and was used twice a month until 1995,

when a permanent outdoor labyrinth made of terrazzo stone

was laid down in the cathedral's outdoor garden.

3. Origin of Labyrinth Walkthrough in India

3.1 2000 Year Old Labyrinth uncovered in India

According to a report published in the Times of India [4], the

archaeologists have uncovered a labyrinth in India that dates

back 2,000 years and has a pattern similar to those found on

clay tablets found at Pylos, Greece, from 1200 B.C. The

square Indian labyrinth Shown in the following figure), which

measures 56 feet (17 meters) by 56 feet (17 meters), is in

Gedimedu near Pollachi and is being excavated by researchers

from the Verarajendran Archaeological and Historical

Research Centre, of Tirupur, says the Times of India. The site

is on an ancient trade route on the east coast that went from

Palakkad Gap to Alagankulam.

“The labyrinth has one pathway which leads inexorably to the

goal from the point of entry. One has to walk through the

right path to reach the goal. It is believed that the person who

walks through the seven routes correctly will fulfill his

wishes,” S. Ravikumar, chief of the research team, told the

Times of India.

Fig 3: 2000 Year Old Labyrinth uncovered in India

3.2 Abhimanyu’s Chakravyuha as Labyrinth

The symbol of Chakravyuha or the labyrinth is drawn in the

rangoli of Maharashtra (following figure). One of the

formations of the army is described in the Mahabharata as

Chakravyuha. Abhimanyu’s Chakra was also called Manas

Chakra. It symbolized the eight activities of the mind to attain

Moksha before it was used as a military formation in

Mahabharata

[5]

This pattern of Labyrinth can be linked to a story in

Mahabharata, in which Subhadra, the sister of Lord Krishna

and the wife of Arjuna, conceived a demon, an enemy of

Krishna. The demon would not leave the womb of Subhadra

even twelve months after the date of her conception, and

began to harass the mother. Lord Krishna, knowing of the

demon’s presence and the cause of his delay, took pity on the

afflicted condition of his sister and read Chakrava

(Chakravyuha), a book consisting of seven chapters and

explaining the method of conquering a labyrinthine fort with

seven cross-lines. Lord Krishna completed six chapters, and

promised to teach the demon the seventh, provided he came

out. The demon ceased troubling Subhadra and emerged from

the womb. He was called Abhimanyu. Lord Krishna had not

read the seventh chapter; otherwise Abhimanyu would have

been invincible and able to take his life. This ignorance of the

seventh chapter cost Abhimanyu his life on the field of

Kurukshetra in conquering the seven cross-lined labyrinthine

formations.

Fig 4: Chakravyuha / Labyrinth Mahabharata tines

3.3 Labyrinth Pattern in a historic temple in Mysore

While examining some carvings on the temple of Halebid in

Mysore, one can see a circular labyrinth pattern similar to

those which are found in various parts of Europe (following

figure). This temple was built by the members of Hoysala

dynasty during the 12

and 13

centuries. The appearance of

this pattern on a site of historical importance in Mysore is yet

to be researched as a link to labyrinths in Europe.

Fig 5: Labyrinth Pattern in a historic temple in Mysore

4. Labyrinth Patterns

Contemporary labyrinths are constructed from a wide variety

of materials in outdoor as well as indoor settings. In addition

to being made from canvas, mosaic flooring, or paving stones,

labyrinths have been woven into patterned carpets, outlined

~ 669 ~

International Journal of Yogic, Human Movement and Sports Sciences

with stones, bricks, or hedgerows, or carved into firmly

packed earth. Most modern labyrinths range between 40 and

80 feet in diameter, although larger ones have also been made.

Following figure (circular) depicts one of the most popular

Labyrinth constructions.

Fig 6: A typical circular labyrinth

One classification scheme categorizes labyrinths as either left-

or right-handed, according to the direction of the first turn to

be made after entering the labyrinth. The entrance to the

labyrinth is known as the mouth, and the walkway itself is

called the path. Classical labyrinths are defined as having a

simple path with an equal number of turns and counter-turns.

Labyrinths are also classified by the number of circuits in

their design, a circuit being one of the circles or rings

surrounding the center of the labyrinth. The labyrinth in

Chartres Cathedral, for example, is a classical eleven-circuit

labyrinth. Three- and seven-circuit classical labyrinths have

been constructed in many parts of the United States, while

one labyrinth in Denmark has 15 circuits.

4 (a). Jupiter Labyrinth Walk Pattern: The Labyrinth of

Wisdom

Its natural form is expressive, outward spiral, four alternating

paths, and a centre

[3, 5]

. It influences the knowledge,

happiness, education, wisdom, wealth, virtues, relationship

with the divine, children, teachers and students, as well as

justice. Its expressive form encourages peace, dispersal,

(spiritual) leadership, understanding, tolerance, impartiality,

satisfaction, humbleness, order, wholeness, and morality. Its

receptive form eliminates heaviness, possessiveness,

exclusiveness, prejudice, wrong judgments, dishonesty, and

stinginess.

Fig 7: Jupiter Labyrinth Walk Pattern: The Labyrinth of Wisdom

4 (b). Mars Labyrinth Walk Pattern: The Labyrinth of

Energy

Its natural form is expressive, four turns, five alternating

paths, and a centre. It influences energy, the strength, activity,

courage, real-estate, enemies, defence (military and

aggressive activities), logic, fights, injuries, acute illnesses,

wounds and operations. Its expressive form encourages

accuracy, mobility, acuteness, spontaneity, organisation,

dynamism, and heroism. Its receptive form eliminates

harshness, aggression, destructiveness, arrogance,

quarrelsomeness, impulsiveness, vengefulness, rage,

unreliability, negligence, cowardice, violence, and

obtrusiveness.

Fig 8: Mars Labyrinth Walk Pattern: The Labyrinth of Energy

4 (c). The labyrinth of life and death – Saturn labyrinth

Its natural form is receptive, three outer paths, central spiral,

three inner paths, and a centre

[6]

. It influences spirituality,

sorrow, reliability, permanence, longevity, death, old age,

loss, limitations, hard work, separation, slowness, chronic

illnesses, earth matters (ore) and real estate (land, not

structures). Its receptive form encourages persistence,

obligingness, simplicity, modesty, endurance, fidelity and

depth. Its expressive form eliminates lowness, selfishness,

insensitivity, pettiness, simple-mindedness, obtuseness,

laziness, irresponsibility, inconsideration, dishonesty, malice,

equanimity, and deprivation.

Fig 9: The labyrinth of life and death – Saturn labyrinth

4 (d). The labyrinth of love and creation – Venus labyrinth

Its natural form is receptive, three outer paths, an inner spiral,

and a centre. It influences fertility, wishes coming true, love,

beauty, charm, pleasure, purity, correct behaviour, occult

knowledge, comfort, partners and relationships, art, music,

poetry, all types of creative work, vehicles, and life

abundance. Its receptive form encourages creativity,

expressiveness, softness, sophistication, cooperation,

originality, passion, refinement. Its expressive form

eliminates greed, being overshadowed, obsession, jealousy,

immorality, exaggeration, and infatuation.

~ 670 ~

International Journal of Yogic, Human Movement and Sports Sciences

Fig 10: The labyrinth of love and creation – Venus labyrinth

4 (e). Mercury labyrinth – the labyrinth of connection

Its natural form is expressive, outer spiral, three central paths,

inner spiral, and a centre. It influences the speech, intellect,

logic, friendship, trade, diplomacy, negotiation, writing, and

adaptability. Its expressive form encourages neutrality,

expressiveness, delicacy, speed, easiness, optimism,

playfulness, and youthfulness. Its receptive form eliminates:

materialism, cynicism, forgetfulness, talkativeness, two-

facedness, indecisiveness, and dishonesty.

Fig 11: Mercury labyrinth – the labyrinth of connection

4 (f). Rahu Labyrinth – the labyrinth of transformation

Its natural form is receptive and expressive simultaneously,

seven paths without a centre. It influences the transformations

and all forms of changes, passion, connection, inconstancy,

harshness, violence, unexpected events, confusion, tragedies,

and psychological disorders receptive movement encourages:

expansion of mind and vision, mobility, quick

comprehension, quick ascent, relentlessness, intelligence. Its

expressive and receptive movement eliminates

destructiveness, separation, uncalled-for rebelliousness,

fanaticism, strangeness (being “offbeat”), inconstancy,

concealment, mind blurriness, impatience, accusation, and

relinquishing.

Fig 12: Rahu Labyrinth – the labyrinth of transformation

4 (g). The labyrinth of freedom – Ketu labyrinth

Its natural form is receptive and expressive simultaneously,

seven paths without a centre. It influences the liberation from

karma, spiritual insights, secrecy, fall, mathematical abilities,

unexpected events, enemies, spies, injuries, venoms and

cures. Its expressive movement encourages: leadership,

accuracy, speed, acuteness, logicality, intelligence, freedom,

and discretion. Its receptive movement eliminates:

destructiveness, unease, restlessness, unnecessary

mysteriousness, panic, terror and fear, morbidity,

abnormality, decadent and tainted spirit and body.

Fig 13: The labyrinth of freedom – Ketu labyrinth

4 (h). Sun labyrinth – the labyrinth of power

Its natural form is expressive, six turns, seven intertwined

paths and a centre. It influences the human self, ego, soul,

individuality, enlightenment, body, health, honour, status,

personal power. Its expressive form encourages easiness,

sophistication, clarity of spirit, sharpness, leadership,

acuteness, dignity, influence. Its receptive form eliminates:

insensibility, destructiveness, stubbornness, pride,

egocentricity, cruelty, rage, despotism, pompousness,

provocativeness.

Fig 14: Sun labyrinth – the labyrinth of power

4 (i). Moon labyrinth – the labyrinth of feelings

Its natural form is receptive, two turns, three spirals one

within the other, and a centre. It influences the spirit, feelings,

intuition, publicity, home, fame, abundance, social behaviour

and journeys. Its receptive form encourages agility, speed,

softness, creativity, sophistication, protection, dedication,

adaptability, sensuality, tenderness, heartiness, and

compassion. Its expressive form eliminates coldness,

passiveness, insecurity, shyness, superficiality, carelessness,

concern, instability, languidness, malice.

~ 671 ~

International Journal of Yogic, Human Movement and Sports Sciences

Fig 15: Moon labyrinth – the labyrinth of feelings

4 (j). Labyrinth Walk Pattern at Amity University

Haryana, Gurgaon, India

A circular Labyrinth pattern has been set up at Amity

University Haryana, Gurgaon, India under the leadership Prof.

Padmakali Banerjee

[3]

. A workshop on the same subject was

also conducted in the campus sometime back. Majority of the

participants, who walked through this Labyrinth pattern,

reported great joy, clarity of mind and peace.

Fig 16: Labyrinth Walk Pattern at Amity University Haryana,

Gurgaon, India

[3]

4 (k). Labyrinth Quilt Pattern

Following construction is known as the Labyrinth Quilt

Pattern walkthrough. You will note that this pattern is

somewhat similar to that of Maze found in Sudama (Kirti)

temple in Porbandar, Gujarat, and is depicted as below.

Fig 17: Labyrinth Quilt Pattern

4 (l). Walkthrough the Labyrinth at Sudama Temple

Porbandar

During a recent visit to the Sudama (Kirti) temple, Porbandar,

Gujarat, India, this author saw a Labyrinth pattern, which is

somewhat identical to the Labyrinth Quilt Pattern, depicted

above. A large number of tourists were seen walking through

this. Some of them, whom this author talked to, reported a

transformation to the peaceful state of mind.

Fig 18: Labyrinth at Sudama Temple Porbandar

5. Procedures for Labyrinth Walk

5.1 Preparations before Labyrinth Walk

Although one need not be a member of any specific faith or

religious tradition to participate in labyrinth walking, spiritual

preparation is considered an important part of the activity.

Although the walk itself is informal and relatively

unstructured, most participants find that a period of quietness

to focus their attention on their journey is essential. Some also

recommend clarifying one's intention for the walk

beforehand; that is, participants should ask themselves

whether they are seeking spiritual guidance, healing, closer

fellowship with God, discernment, blessing, or the fulfillment

of some other purpose. The use of prayers or mantras is

suggested as a way to calm and "center" one's spirit at the

beginning of and during the walk.

Participants are advised to wear comfortable shoes and

clothing for labyrinth walking so that they will not be

distracted by physical discomfort or concerns about their

appearance. They will be asked to remove their shoes,

however, if the labyrinth is made of canvas or woven into a

rug; thus it is a good idea to bring along a pair of clean cotton

socks or soft-soled slippers.

5.2 Labyrinth Walkthrough Procedures

The actual procedure of labyrinth walking is divided into

three phases or stages: the journey inward, a pause for prayer

or meditation at the center, and the return journey. There are

no rules or guidelines for the pace or speed of labyrinth

walking, although participants are asked to be respectful of

others who may prefer a slower pace, and to move around

them as gently as possible. Some people choose to dance, run,

and crawl on their hands and knees, or walk backwards in the

labyrinth. With regard to pausing in the center of the

labyrinth, people's behavior varies depending on the size of

the labyrinth. Labyrinths based on the Chartres model have

six "petals" or semicircular spaces surrounding the center,

which allows several people to remain for a few minutes to

pray, contemplate, or meditate. Smaller labyrinths may have

room for only one person at a time in the center, and it is

considered courteous to remain there only briefly

[3]

Labyrinth walking can be incorporated into such ritual events

~ 672 ~

International Journal of Yogic, Human Movement and Sports Sciences

as weddings, funerals, and anniversary celebrations, or such

personal events as completing one's schooling, taking a new

job, or moving to a new area. Some published guides to

labyrinth walking include meditations to be used for labyrinth

walking during pregnancy, or for blessing ceremonies at

different seasons of the year.

6. Benefits of Labyrinth Walk

In general, labyrinth walking is said to benefit participants by

allowing a temporary suspension of the so-called left-brain

activity—logical thought, analysis, and fact-based planning—

and encourage the emergence of the intuition and imaginative

creativity associated with the right brain. Lauren Artress has

said, "The labyrinth does not engage our thinking minds. It

invites our intuitive, pattern-seeking, symbolic mind to come

forth. It presents us with only one, but profound, choice. To

enter a labyrinth is to choose to walk a spiritual path."

In addition to helping people open themselves to the non-

rational parts of the psyche, labyrinth walking puts them in

touch with simple body rhythms. Because labyrinth walking

involves physical movement, participants may find

themselves becoming more mindful of their breathing

patterns, the repetition of their footfalls, and the reorientation

of the entire body that occurs as they move through the

circular turns within the labyrinth. More particularly, the

overall pattern of movement in labyrinth walking—first

inward toward the center of the labyrinth and then outward on

the return path—holds deep symbolic meaning for many

people.

Specific benefits that some people have experienced as a

result of labyrinth walking include

[1, 2]

 Answers to, or insights, personal problems or

circumstances;

 A general sense of inner peace or calm;

 Emotional healing from past abuse or other traumas;

 A sense of connection to, or unity with, past generations

of pilgrims or family ancestors;

 Reawakened interest in their specific religious tradition;

 Greater awareness of their own feminine nature or the

feminine principle in nature often associated with circular

shapes and patterns;

 Stimulation of their imagination and creative powers;

 Improved ability to manage chronic pain; and

 Faster healing following an injury or surgical procedure.

7. Sohum-Mantra-Based Walking Meditation through

Labyrinth

Walking meditation is mindful walking without a goal, being

aware of each step and breath. Each footstep is taken slowly

and in silence, creating peace and joy with each step.

Walking meditation brings a number of benefits in addition to

the cultivation of mindfulness. It can be a helpful way of

building concentration, as a supplement to sitting practice.

When we are tired or sluggish, walking can be invigorating.

The sensations of walking can be more compelling than the

more subtle sensations of breathing while sitting. Walking can

be quite helpful after a meal, upon waking from sleep, or after

a long period of sitting meditation. At times of strong

emotions or stress, walking meditation may be more relaxing

than sitting. An added benefit is that, when done for extended

times, walking meditation can build strength and stamina.

Walking meditation is a wonderful complement to the sitting

meditation practice

[7, 8]

7.1 Procedure for doing Sohum-Mantra-Based Walking

Meditation through Labyrinth

(i) Preparing before meditation: Before you start your

walking session through labyrinth, spend a minute or two just

standing there, breathing deeply and anchoring your attention

in your body. Take a few deep breaths. Close your eyes and

do a scan of your whole body, starting at your feet. Make note

of any sensations, thoughts or feelings and take the time to

explore the sensations fully.

(ii) Hands and arms: You can clasp your hands behind your

back or in front of you, or you can just let them hang at your

side—whatever feels most comfortable and natural.

(iii) Pace: Slow is better. Pace should be steady and even. If

your mind is agitated, or your ability to focus is weak, walk

very slowly, until you can stay in the present moment with

each step. If labyrinth walkers want to pay closer attention to

the movements of lifting the feet, moving forward, putting

down, and pressing the ground, they will automatically slow

down. Only when they slow down can they be fully aware of

these movements.

(iv) Technique: Take a deep breath. Chant ‘So.’(silently)

while exhaling, with the simultaneous synchronization of

moving one-step forward. For the next step (right step now, if

it was left step first or vice versa), chant ‘hum.’ while

exhaling. Repeat this process for the entire walk through the

labyrinth. Keep your place slow. Neither look down on the

ground, nor straight; just gently gaze at about one or meters

away from you on the ground and keep walking slowly,

rhythmically, chanting (silently) Sohum, with synchronization

with the breath. Feel the sensation of the lower part of your

feet as you walk. Enjoy this exercise. After a few minutes,

you will get absorbed into it; and your mind will be focused

and become calm. Actually, the initial effort by you in

ensuring the simultaneity of synchronization of your breath,

Sohum chanting, movement of steps will leave little scope for

you to get distracted to other unnecessary thoughts

[8]

. In this

way, Sohum-based walking meditation transcends you more

easily to thoughtless state as compared to simply walking

through labyrinth.

(v) Re-focusing: Whenever your mind starts to engage with

thoughts (or any type of mental content), bring your attention

back to your walking steps and your breathing. With your

attention in the legs and feet, feel the sensations of each step.

Feel the movement of the leg as it swings through the air. Feel

the contact of the foot with the ground. There is no “right”

experience. Just see how the experience is felt by you.

Whenever you notice that the mind has wandered, bring it

back to the sensations of the feet walking. Getting a sense of

the rhythm of the steps may help maintain a continuity of

awareness.

(vi) Walk with calmness, dignity and joy, as though you were

an emperor or a tiger doing a slow but a majestic walk. Place

your foot on the earth with peace and the peace will return to

you.

(vii) Attitude: We are not going anywhere. There is

nothing to achieve, except mastering our attention and

presence. Simply be with the process. Be in present state.

~ 673 ~

International Journal of Yogic, Human Movement and Sports Sciences

7.2 Benefits of Sohum-Mantra-Based Walking Meditation

through Labyrinth

1. It can serve as a powerful bridge between meditation

practice and daily life, helping us to be present, mindful

and concentrated in ordinary activities. It can reconnect

us to simplicity of being and the wakefulness that comes

from it.

2. Walking mindfully through the labyrinth can restore our

peace and harmony. When we practice walking

meditation correctly, we massage the Earth with our feet

and plant seeds of joy and happiness with each step. This

way we heal our Mother Earth and, in turn, she will heal

us.

3. The ability of focusing, developed in walking meditation,

is easily carried into our daily life.

4. Whenever we are upset or angry on something, walking

meditation can be very helpful. Until you are calm

enough to look directly at the anger, just continue with

your synchronized Sohum-mantra-based walking

meditation through Labyrinth. After a while, the anger

will subside and you will feel strong enough to

understand the cause of anger calmly and objectively.

5. Walking meditation improves immunity of the body and

reduces blood pressure. It helps reduce glucose levels in

diabetic patients.

6. It helps to regulate the production of serotonin, a key

neurotransmitter in controlling mood and suppressing

anxiety.

7. It boosts the brain’s ability to communicate with the rest

of the body while also maintaining the structure of

brain’s cell membranes, which improves the clarity of

mind and memory power.

8. Philosophical Interpretation of Labyrinth

As this ubiquitous unlimited undefinable 'Thatness' we have

created a labyrinth in Time and Space for us to play in. The

labyrinth is a temporal illusion, a woven fabric of birth and

death, wars and peace, endless layers of temporal polarities

for us to experience, to test ourselves, to learn from. And yet

beneath the play, beneath the curtain of each atom - we are

That, we are the One Soul setting all of it in motion, a

multitude of realms that are only appearances and have no

ultimate reality. The labyrinth appears and disappears, is

created, sustained, and dissolved, via three metaphysical

principles. In the Indian Sanskrit these three are personified as

Brahma the Creator, Vishnu who sustains the universe, and

Shiva the Destroyer. The gods and the bodhisattvas are

temporal, time based, and no more real or unreal than we are

[9]

8.1 Labyrinth of Time

Earth is an amazing Labyrinth of Time - and the cycles of

time are excellent incubators for the forms to evolve through

layers of holographic experience as consciousness. However

this crazed, boring, and increasingly limited entrapment of

ours is not a punishment, but rather a test of our strength and

resilience. A better comparison is the legendary Labyrinth.

We are metaphorically 'clay in the potter's hands' and the

potter is ‘Time’. We are not enslaved, not in a prison, and

have come here as volunteers to evolve within our planet's

cosmic ‘Labyrinth of Time’. We bravely came here

voluntarily to wander in this Labyrinth of Time, a maze of

weblike entanglements through unending cycles of time and

dissolutions - until we are weary of it all, until we remember,

and head ‘Home’. Like the spider that spins its own web, we

live in a sort of self-created gauntlet.

Kashmir Shaivism states that we are always the Oneness, but

we have chosen to veil our consciousness in differentiated

perception through the limitation of the five senses. We

literally are 'tricking' ourselves into the illusion that we are

separate from the Oneness for the purpose of our 'play' in the

Labyrinth of Time and Space. This 'trick' is often called the

Veil, for it is an intentional Veil of our forgetting who we are.

Worlds are created and destroyed - and nothing has happened.

We are, were, and never will be anything but the One. This is

basically the core philosophy of the Labyrinth.

9. Conclusion

The importance of walking through different Labyrinth

patterns is discussed in this paper. Labyrinth walking is

thousands of years old both in India and abroad. Each

Labyrinth pattern is meant to give specific spiritual benefits.

There are well-defined procedures in walking through these

labyrinth patterns and these techniques bring a lot of spiritual

benefits to the walkers through labyrinth. Besides, it has been

argued that the breathing-based (Sohum-mantra-based, for

example) walking through the labyrinth enhances the

beneficial effects as compared to walkthrough without a

mantra. Philosophical interpretation of the Labyrinth has also

been briefly discussed. It is the sincere aim of the author of

this paper to spread the spiritual significance of labyrinths to a

larger number of people across the globe.

10. Acknowledgement

I wish to thank Prof. (Dr.) Padmakali Banerjee, Pro-Vice

Chancellor and Dean-Academics, Amity University Haryana,

Gurgaon, for introducing this topic for the first time to me and

motivating me to study it further.

11. References

1. Kay Sandor M, Robin Froman D. Exploring the Effects

of Walking the Labyrinth. J Holist Nurs. 2006; 24(103).

DOI: 10.1177/0898010105282588.

2. Artress Lauren. Walking A Sacred Path: Rediscovering

the Labyrinth as a Spiritual Tool. New York: Riverhead

Books, 1995.

3. Banerjee Padmakali. The Power of Positivity: Optimism

and the Seventh Sense, Sage Publications, 2018. ISBN:

9789352807017.

4. The Times of India, 2015, 07.

5. Desai Manu. Significance of Indian Symbols for Visual

Communications, Kirti Trivedi (ed.), Indian Symbology,

IDC, 1987, 52.

6. An Introduction to the Celestial Labyrinths, Presented by

M.E. (Beth) Langley, at the Labyrinth Society Gathering,

October, Taos, New Mexico, 201.

7. Dudeja Jai Paul. Om-Mantra-Based Sitting versus

Walking Meditations and Their Optimum Combination

for Enhanced Benefits. International Journal of Creative

Research Thoughts. 2017; 6(1):820-830. (ISSN: 2320-

2882).

8. Dudeja Jai Paul. Analysis and Benefits of Chant-less

Sohum/Humsa Mantra Meditation. International Journal

of Yogic. Human Movement and Sports Sciences. (ISSN:

2456-4419, Impact Factor 5.18). 2018; 3(2)C:198-203.

9. Ferguson Susan V. Colony Earth and the Rig Veda”,

Metaphysical Musing, 2013.