A Labyrinth is a magical place. It's an ancient symbol that relates to wholeness. It combines circles and spirals into purposeful paths. It also takes you on a journey to one's own center and a pathway out to the outside world. Labyrinths had been used as a meditation and prayer tool throughout the ages.
There are different reasons why labyrinths are being built. In the early years, labyrinths were constructed in old churches. One of the oldest and first labyrinths that were built can be found in Siberia. It has an estimated age of 7000 years.
There's a doctor in America that believes that people, for example, who are diagnosed and then treated for cancer, heals much more quickly if they walk labyrinths compared to patients who don't.
Positive feedback on the lengthening of attention span periods in patients who are diagnosed with ADHD has also been made, noted, and documented. Labyrinths, therefore, are sometimes used as an additional treatment, especially for children that suffer from this condition.
Labyrinths are also sometimes constructed at stables. Horses that regularly walk a labyrinth seem to have an advantage on running compared to those who don't walk it.
Whether these theories are legit or not, it's interesting to see what power people individually connect with a labyrinth.
The first labyrinth in South Africa was constructed in Barrydale in the western cape in 1998.
They can be constructed by using virtually any material. Plants. Vegetation. Shells. Rocks and stones. They are usually predicted by surroundings and the immediate materials available.
Labyrinths are constructed to contain seven or eleven walkways. The Labyrinth on Steenbokfontein was constructed to have seven walkways.
"The Labyrinth I built on the farm was built with table mountain sandstone. I placed a big rock in the center where a person can sit down and meditate. While sitting they must experience a complete standstill from all their daily trials and tribulations. Trauma and sadness can then be dealt with while a person began to experience a higher level of concentration.
I have placed a container with little rocks, with motivational words written on them near the stone. Upon reaching the center a rock can be taken to read the word written on it. Usually, a positive response or answer is given toward the person who found that the word/message addresses their fears or questions.
Labyrinths are not connected to any specific religion but I believe, for example, if a person is a Christian, the journey walking the labyrinth brings you closer towards your religious beliefs.
While walking a labyrinth a person's troubles are usually left at the starting point. You must walk a labyrinth in total silence. You need to get in touch with your inner self to reach a specific state of consciousness. Problems and questions must be identified in your life so that it can be addressed and possible solutions can surface.
Usually, problems are left in the labyrinth and upon exit, a spiritual upliftment can be felt and experienced.
I believe that walking a labyrinth helps a person for example to cope with things like the death of a loved one. To celebrate the birth of a newborn. To obtain a clear mind about making decision-making etc.
Our spiritual and individual growth are closely connected and the time spent walking a labyrinth stimulates and helps with growth on both these levels.
It also balances out the energy fields in both sides of our brain. That again leads to the calming of thoughts and eventually to the receiving of answers on the question while your mind becomes clearer and relaxed.
All this, while you are just walking a labyrinth"
Guests once visited Steenbokfontein. He and his wife asked Kitta if they could walk the Labyrinth Saturday morning. They left but late afternoon they were back at her door asking for permission to walk it again.
It was a strange request because usually guests only walk the labyrinth once.
The following morning they were back. Asking for a third time.
Upon their return, Kitta could no longer contain her curiosity and ask him why? Why again? For the third time?
He told her he was an engineer and he really doesn't believe in this labyrinth thing but those messages...
During their visits yesterday he received the same word/message on both the occasions. So he decided to go back for a third time to make sure that all the little rocks did not have the same words written on them. Then he shook the container and took a rock. The same word stared him right in the face.
She asked him if he now believed in the whole process and benefit of walking a labyrinth but he just shook his head without answering her.
What does Kitta experience while walking a labyrinth?
To quote her own words:
"Silence. When I walk a labyrinth I find total silence within myself"
Selection of Stories
The lost of the HMS Sybille
The HMS Sybille was a tin screw second-class cruiser of 3400 tons and built-in 1890, by R. Stephenson of Newcastle-on-Tyne. With 9496 horsepower triple expansion engines she could produce a top speed of 20 knots.
