by Renee Lindstrom, Author of Somatic Archetypes & The Teaching Labyrinth, a real person

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I was first introduced to the Labyrinth through the lens of dowsing. This view aligns with the placement of the labyrinth and the four cardinal directions. The emphasis could be on the energies or the earth’s lay lines and the inquiry of whether they are in peaceful harmony or not. The purpose of a working dowser at the moment could be to understand the environmental influences on one’s health and well-being mentally, emotionally and physically.

Attention was refocused on Labyrinths more formally when hearing about an upcoming World Labyrinth Day. Having worked on a Peace Initiative for a few years the concept of a mindfulness walking event seemed like a wonderful topic to bring attention to as a strategy for growing inner peacefulness’. Hosting a website for walking routes for this purpose aligned with the concept of the Labyrinth pattern. Through investigation of the World Labyrinth Day, I then learned there was an international visit planned for Vancouver Island however Victoria was not included in the event. I decided to create an event that would allow Greater Victoria to be showcased before the event as a pre-opening stop. This meant a deeper dive into the history of the ​Labyrinth in Greater Victoria. This one pictured above is the first one built in 1996/7. It was an initiative of the James Bay Community Association and built by the City of Victoria. This labyrinth is one block behind the Victoria Parliament Buildings in the Park on the corner of Menzies and Michigan. The Park is called Irving Park. This Labyrinth was not named until this International Visit and it became known as the Irving Park Labyrinth.

This proclamation supports the Culture of Values focus in Somatic Dialogues

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I recently shared my interpretation of the Labyrinth pattern, which reflects a human’s functional design for rotational movement patterns. Now, I would like to suggest that this pattern of functional rotational movement can balance the physical, mental, and emotional bodies to deepen inner connections with the surrounding influences. Rather than using the word spiritual, I would like to suggest that it cultivates presence. Being in the present moment with a calm mind and emotions enhances physical function.

When facilitating an​other event at this Labyrinth with a group, a couple was in conflict nearby. The female presenter came forward and began to walk the pathway with us. She was intoxicated as she began the walk but stone-cold sober when she reached the center. The male presenter followed not long after, and it was the same story: intoxicated at the start but sober in the center. It was a memorable event.

I share this to support the interpretation I have and to include the connection to environmental influences experienced when walking a labyrinth. These patterns are found drawn on stone walls, on coins, and in locations around the globe. I suspect this walking pattern isn’t from a story but rather recognized as a pattern to balance mental and emotional well-being through a pattern of functional movement. I also suspect the stories were created to pass it down through traditional oral storytelling. I am not a historian or someone who has dived into any in-depth research. Rather my focus is on the functional integration of the physical, mental, and emotional bodies that influence levels of connection to people, places and things. My investigation has been developed by learning through the experience, of mine and others. It’s raw and real, and not something that has been adopted from other sources of analogy and packaged as mine.

I continue to recommend the Labyrinth Pattern to people I recognize who are in pain mentally, emotionally or physically. I also recommend it for making choices or decisions that are difficult to make. I specifically drove someone who could barely walk from chronic mental and emotional challenges who I watched begin to dance part way through the walk. Their body posture changed completely and their gait didn’t resemble their typical habits.  

The Body Pattern Reflected in the Labyrinth Pattern

If you are interested in Greater Victoria Labyrinth visit our Facebook page – Labyrinths of Greater Victoria for locations and more historical events.

Llean more about Inside Awareness Center for Integrative Somatic Learning

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Support Somatic Learning Development for choice in social conditioning experiences to create healthier lifestyles at home and globally

For transparency I have begun posting a link to my paypal for those inspired by my posts that have been for learning purposes. I am not sponsored other than by myself at this time. My focus has been on the development of an interconnected and integrated system that is apparent in all my efforts shared. The focus of this body of work is on somatic connections that is completely misunderstood by most. The mainstream focus talks at it with strategies in mind while my focus is on the practical aspects of living it. It matters in understanding how to support somatic empathic children from early childhood and shifting a social conditioning that could benefit from more from this focus of learning and understanding. This focus is on a well functioning body, improved relationships and communication, and connections to food, nature and environment to support healthier social and cultural conditioning. If you would like to buy me a coffee or support this effort for further development please go to paypal.me/reenelindstrom – you will notice Renee is spelled Reene on this link – that is me, it is not a mistake. You will see this link on my Youtube Channel and educational web materials, fyi.

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