Grieving…Walking the Labyrinth of Grief
July 25, 2009
Walking the Labyrinth of Grief
A labyrinth is an ancient symbol that relates to wholeness. It combines the imagery of the circle and the spiral into a meandering but purposeful path. The concept of the labyrinth began in ancient times and has become an archetype for the course of life’s journey. It offers only one path to take in spite of its twists and turns…a path that leads to the center then back out again. There is only one choice to be made…to enter or not. We are all on the path that will eventually lead us into wholeness…like the labyrinth, our life has only one path. It is up to us to enter…or not.
At the opening of the labyrinth of grief lies an invitation. An invitation to explore your grief as you wind through its spirals—much like life itself, a constant rhythm of living that eventually leads to dying. Perhaps it is similar to the journey you and your loved one experienced. Explore your emotions along the spirals on the way to the center—the point of transition. The labyrinth’s confines offer opportunities to be close to your loved one and celebrate your lives’ experiences. . .to savor your joys shared over the years from a vantage point that few are blessed to witness.
See the labyrinth’s path strewn with small treasures to reflect upon—pick up the pieces of your shared past and relive the memories of your family, your dreams, and your love. Although reliving the past without a future to share is almost an impossible task to undertake, blessings beyond measure await you if you have the courage and strength to examine and explore your emotions and feelings at this sacred time.
The center point symbolizes transition. Your loved one has departed, but the love you shared is eternal. Wrap yourself in that loving thought as you begin the return journey alone.
As you move from the labyrinth’s center, you may be in your own spiral of emotional sorrow as well as gratitude. Although you are simply retracing the path you just walked, you may feel that you are embarking upon a different journey, and moving at a much different pace. On the return, the spirals grow outward in larger, peaceful circles with less urgency. You may choose to linger at certain places along each spiral as long as needed in order to do the healing work for that point in your journey.
As you pick up the treasured memories along the return path, you can appreciate them from a new vantage point—retrospective, and alone. You are now seeing through a veil of loss that adds an extra dimension to life not seen before.
Your return trip through grief’s labyrinth has no timeline. You will wind your way through the spirals at your own pace. Some days you may feel further from the center of grief than others, as you continue to turn over the treasures of memories and related emotions each day.
Grief is not linear—it is not measured by time and distance from your loved one’s death. Grief is shaped by the rhythm of emotion and life.
Sharon Clark
www.grieflinterlude.com
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