doodlemaier | Enlightening strikes . . .

Like so many things in life this spiral is a symbol. Tonight, for me it represented the time-bound mind, with a beginning and an end and everything in between. From anywhere I stood I could see the beginning and the end but the perspective was always different, depending on where I stood. Picture exactly the spiral in gallycat's user icon printed in a heavy-duty tarp, 20 feet or so in diameter. To look at it I underestimated this meditation for the valuable tool that it is.

The labyrinth is a symbol overlaid on 'the reality'. Every step I took was heel-to-toe placed with the greatest of care - each of these were the moment, the now. Eah foot step directly in front of the last, honoring my native heritage. I let my mind wander freely which is not meditation as I know it. While I was alone on the path I reflected on my life; past, present, and future. I came to realize that right now I am being tested, I am testing myself (details of the present - August 03, 2005 - may or may not be included at deansavatar) and I came to the conclusion that I often take life far too seriously (at face value) I take it personally and it works against me. In symbol I recognise it (especially the trials) as a guide. At certain places I stumbled not knowing that the pavement beneath, the 'reality', was not in accord with the symbol over laying it - I needed to slow down, reavaluate my footing. I contemplated a long life and determined to take it at my own pace.

I met others on the path, we exchanged warm smiles - we are on this together, within the same symbol, but it's subjective and uniguely different for each - we bring our own baggage. Sometimes we were walking parallel and other times in opposition - different places on the same path, all perspectives of the time-bound mind. There was a young girl, no older than three running around on the labyrinth playing, paying no attention to the printed pathways, she a symbol of being, un-domesticated and totally unaware of the time-bound mind. Freedom . . .

I met Helen there. We'd flirt or caress walking past each other only to have our 'paths' diverge. We'd come back together again and touch hands. Seconds here were symbols of weeks and months, attempts and false starts that I had initiated with others searching for her in my past - The physical 'she' is a symbol, and even more so in the labyrinth. We came to a point where we met and I 'cheated' the maze, inspired to change direction on the path and 'repeat' a section so that her and I may be on the same segment at the same time and moving in the same direction. Soon she was again walking along it faster than I, and we met up again and walked for a long while in parallel (as objectivity for me stands currently?) Soon she came to a turn and my path continued straight ahead. We embraced here and she said she'd wait for me. I continued on along the periphery, albeit very sad and lonely - scared even, and in tears! (Anabelle mentioned when she'd done the labirynth in the past that it was a good idea to come prepared with tissues to handle the buckets of tears, so I didin't feel like such a dork) But, as I said, I underestimated the power of this symbolism. I found myself starting to rush, and subsequently tripping. I came to grips with my anticipation and paid closer attention to each footstep, heel-to-toe, until they were fluid and effortless. True to her word, Helen waited for me and we were 'reunited' once again. We completed the journey to the center. Yes, there we experienced Love from the symbolic perspective in each other. . .

. . .and God - as a mosquito!

Thanks for inviting me,