The Sacred Path Companion A Guide to Walking the Labyrinth to Heal and Transform

by Artress, Lauren

• ISBN13: 9781594481826
• ISBN10: 1594481822
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-03-07
• Publisher: Riverhead Trade

Summary

Lauren Artress, the author of The Sacred Path Companion , calls this new book 'Everything Else You Ever Wanted to Know About the Labyrinth Movement,' and she has a point: This is a comprehensive and indispensable companion to Walking a Sacred Path , which has become a quasi-Bible of the Labyrinth movement. In this workbook, Artress - one of the guiding forces in the Labyrinth movement - offers readers a handbook for personal reflection and transformation. As she takes the reader step-by-step through the Labyrinth process, Artress shows readers how to fashion an individual spiritual journey and offers suggestions that are both engaging and thought provoking. In this book, Artress outlines: Four Guidelines to Gauge Your Spiritual Growth The Nine Lessons of the Labyrinth The Art of Labyrinth Walking Specific Uses for Healing and Transformation Through the Labyrinth How to Create a Ritual

Author Biography

LAUREN ARTRESS is the author of Walking a Sacred Path. She is the founder and president of Veriditas, the Voice of the Labyrinth Movement, and is the former canon for special ministries at San Francisco's Grace Cathedral.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	vii
Introduction	ix
PART ONE: The Practice of Walking the Labyrinth
Four Guidelines to Gauge Your Spiritual Growth	11	(8)
To Deepen in Compassion	13	(1)
To Lessen Your Judgments	14	(2)
To Increase Patience	16	(1)
To Find Your Purpose and Share It with the World	17	(2)
Lessons of the Labyrinth	19	(12)
Quieting the Mind	21	(2)
Self-Reflection	23	(1)
Spaciousness Allows Responsiveness	24	(1)
Enlivening the Body	24	(1)
Mind/Body/Spirit Integration	25	(1)
We Are All on the Path Together	26	(3)
Everyone's Journey to the Divine Is Unique	27	(1)
Walking in Groups: Making Room for One Another	28	(1)
The Feminine Archetype: Receptivity and Flow	29	(2)
The Art of Labyrinth Walking	31	(22)
Labyrinth Terminology	31	(2)
Common Questions	33	(5)
Meditative Walking	38	(1)
The Three Rs	39	(1)
The Four Rs	39	(2)
The Basics	41	(12)
No Right or Wrong Way to Walk a Labyrinth	41	(1)
Preparing for a Walk	42	(1)
Offering Sacred Acknowledgment	42	(1)
Starting Off at Intervals	43	(1)
Removing Your Shoes	43	(1)
Using Music	44	(1)
Recognizing the Route	44	(1)
Finding Your Own Natural Pace	44	(1)
The Path Is a Two-Way Street	45	(1)
Recognizing the Metaphors	45	(1)
Handling Expectations	46	(1)
Reflecting on the Walk	47	(1)
Walking the Lunations	48	(1)
Dealing with Distractions	49	(1)
Not Imposing an Agenda	50	(1)
Accepting Unexpected Feelings	50	(1)
Encountering Exhaustion	51	(1)
Being Comfortable with the Walk	51	(2)
Applications	53	(22)
Be Open	53	(1)
Release Whatever Is in Your Way	54	(1)
A Path of Prayer, A Walking Meditation	54	(2)
Ask a Question	56	(1)
Listen for Guidance	57	(1)
Walk a Dream	58	(1)
Explore Images That Emerge	59	(1)
Use a Mantra	60	(1)
Set an Intention	61	(1)
Push the Envelope---Try Amplification	62	(1)
Do a History	63	(1)
Create a Body Prayer	64	(1)
Use the Six-Petals for Meditation	64	(1)
Use the Center as a Sacred Place to Share	65	(1)
Encourage Creativity and Innovation	66	(1)
Walk for Stress Reduction	67	(1)
Witness a Walk	67	(8)
PART TWO: Specific Uses for Healing and Transformation
Start Where You Are	75	(16)
Exercise: Time Line	77	(1)
Exercise: Checklist to Gauge Where You Are	78	(13)
Relationship with Yourself	79	(1)
Relationship with Your Body	79	(1)
Relationships with Others	80	(5)
Developing Your Full Potential	85	(2)
Relationship with the Holy	87	(2)
Identifying Repeated Patterns	89	(2)
Healing	91	(22)
Perfectionism	92	(3)
Critical Voices	95	(3)
Grief	98	(3)
Grieving Your Own Death	99	(1)
Other Forms of Grief	100	(1)
Forgiveness	101	(3)
Self-Forgiveness	104	(4)
Reconnecting with Your Body	108	(5)
Authentic Movement	110	(1)
Focus on Sensation	111	(1)
Explore Pain	111	(2)
Shadow Work	113	(18)
Exploring Repeated Patterns	118	(1)
Being Stuck	119	(2)
Unconscious Override	121	(1)
Self-Care	122	(1)
The Reflective Mirror: Dealing with Irritating People	123	(2)
The Judging Mind	125	(2)
Control Issues	127	(4)
Soul Assignment	131	(16)
Follow the Clues	134	(2)
Ground Your Fear and Excitement	136	(2)
Use Your Imagination	138	(1)
Wait Well	139	(1)
Where You Are Is Where You're Supposed to Be	140	(1)
Transform a Life Assignment	141	(2)
Nurture Strength and Perseverance During Challenging Times	143	(1)
On the Wrong Path? Design a Transition	144	(3)
Initiatory Rituals	147	(20)
The Old Smooth Stone and the Sacred Feminine	148	(2)
The Roles of Ritual	150	(11)
Creating Community	150	(4)
Honoring Rites of Passage	154	(1)
Grounding Us in the Everyday	155	(1)
Supporting Healing	156	(3)
Celebrating Special Occasions	159	(1)
Affirming Beliefs and Making Meaning	160	(1)
Examining the Rituals in Your Life	161	(2)
How to Create a Ritual	163	(4)
Conclusion: A Spirituality for Our Times	167	(10)
Notes	177