Taking a minute to introduce you to my favorite app, the Labyrinth Journey App. I did find exciting news this morning that currently the App is being offered free. I even verified it as free on SNOOPS. So, go check it out at your APP store. Regardless, it is worth every cent of the regular $1.99.
What do you do with the Labyrinth App once you have it. First just familiarize yourself with it. It has music to accompany your walk or sometimes I will play something different on my IPAD music and turn the music on the APP off. Take your finger and place it the entrance and just follow your finger and watch the change of color to the center. When you arrive at the center, breath and watch each petal light up. Stay there and enjoy the energy of the center as long as you want. It is here you can offer all of your prayers. Imagine you are receiving Love, Faith, Courage, Trust, Hope, Strength, Reduced Anxiety, or whatever your heart is in need of this morning. When you are ready, take your finger and trace the same path out. The APP will change back to the original color as you come to the exit. Imagine that you are carrying out of the Labyrinth, the request you made in the center. Now, go and bless others with your new strengthened resource.
That is the simple and actually I think the most helpful to me. This APP is the 11-circuit Chartres style Labyrinth. You can find out a little more about the different Labyrinth patterns on my web-page,
http://www.arizonalabyrinthconnections.com
. The best history and application of the Labyrinth is found in Lauren Artress’s book,Walking A Sacred Path.
The template for walking any Labyrinth is the practice of the four R’s:
Remember: Remember who you are and declare that you are showing up for your life.
Release: With each circuitous curve release your fears, concerns, or just names of people you are praying for.
Receive: When at the center, ask for what you need.
Return: Consciously imagine bringing that out with you.
In order to give yourself enough time, I recommend that you do this APP three times, especially when you are seeking a connection with the Divine or your inner wisdom. Walk it once to settle yourself. Walk it the second time to go through the four R’s. Walk it a third time, to truly release and move into your next daily activity with a newfound strength and connection.
You can sing, chant, say familiar prayers like the Lord’s Prayer or the Twenty-Third Psalm. Or you can use Pema Chodron’s Buddhist prayer:
May I be free of suffering and the root of suffering.
May (my closest loved one) be free of suffering and the root of suffering.
May (my friend) be free of suffering and the the root of suffering.
May (neutral person-i.e. grocery clerk) be free of suffering and the root of suffering.
May (person that disgust me or hurt me) be free of suffering and the root of suffering.
May all sentient beings be free of suffering and the root of suffering.
You can replace the word suffering with loving kindness, compassion or whatever it is you need right now. Just allow yourself to relax into it.
I wish each of you well during this international pandemic and hope that you are living responsibly, keeping yourself away from those who are vulnerable and doing your share with responsible self-imposed sequestering. Try the APP and practice all of the tools and resources that I have given you over the years to keep your own mental health healthy and joyful during this epidemic.
I have been out of the office during this time. Dr. Beth Sikora is on call for me at 602-508-9190. My current plan is to resume seeing clients on May 4
th
.
i will continue to do the newsletter and blog during this time. Please take all of your therapeutic needs to Dr. Sikora.
Warmly and in Peace,
Dr. Robin B. Dilley
