Meditation Techniques :: Moving Meditation

Moving meditation employs slow, purposeful, repetitive physical movement to quiet the chattering mind and promote the circulation of spiritual energy within the body. During moving meditation, the feet remain rooted to the earth, grounded in the Great Mother, only the arms and torso move in fluid, graceful patterns. The movements of tai chi, an Asian exercise program currently becoming popular in the Western world, are especially appropriate, as tai chi is a form of moving meditation that seeks to stimulate chi (life energy). Yoga and marital art postures may also be used as a source of inspiration when you design your own moving meditation. Keep the number of different poses small and pause as you flow into each new posture. Concentrate on your pattern, notice how the body feels in each pose. When you become accustomed to the pattern and begin to feel energy flowing freely through your body, your mind will slip into altered consciousness. The subconscious, intuition and ancient connections to the energy around you are stepping forward. Thoughts, ideas, and feelings will begin to materialize. Do not shove them away, allow them to enter, contemplate them until they dissipate on their own and flow gently into the next. When you feel you are finished, awaken slowly.

Another form of moving meditation is walking the labyrinth. The beginnings of the labyrinth date back more than 4,000 years and designs have appeared in various cultures and belief systems throughout the world. The labyrinth that housed the dreaded Minotaur in Roman myths is probably the most famous, but a labyrinth inlay also appears on the floor of Chartres Cathedral in France. It’s ancient purpose is unclear, but today walking the labyrinth has become a mystical ritual of meditation and spiritual transformation. As you enter a labyrinth and begin to follow the pathway leading to the center, hold the chosen topic of your meditation in you mind. Move slowly along the pathway, feeling your connection to the earth’s power as your foot falls with each new step. When you reach the center, you may find that you haven’t been consciously considering your topic at all, your mind has shifted consciousness as it become attuned to the spiritual energy. You may choose to sit in contemplation when you reach the center. After you feel you have fully explored the topic, begin the slow journey outward. You are returning to awakened consciousness, do not rush this process.

The interest in ancient labyrinths is growing and they are beginning to pop up at retreat centers and ritual gatherings across the country. Try searching online to find one near you, you may be surprised at what you find. If you are unwilling or unable to find one in your area, we invite you to create your own in your backyard using corn meal to create the lines. The most common design is a circle with a relaxation area in the center, but it’s your own, create it with your own imagination. A pathway of 18 inches is comfortable to walk in and a three foot diameter circle is a satisfactory relaxation area. To create a labyrinth that circles seven times before reaching the center, you will need an area of approximately 25’ x 25’. If you wish to visit a virtual labyrinth, Labyrinth Online

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