The Meditative Labyrinth
Using everyday objects to cultivate mindfulness and play with metaphor
As I was unpacking one of the many boxes still unopened in our basement (from our move over a year ago!) I came across some old long-forgotten figurines and ornaments that I received many years ago from my grandmother (my beloved Gammie). I’d long forgotten these treasures (out of sight, out of mind) and, to be really honest, I’d never thought about them much to start with. But, as I was looking through the box and brought each ornament out one by one, I spent time holding them and really looking at them for the very first time.
One of the ornaments really got my attention. It’s a little white bone china snail. Yes, I said snail, and it’s shell is filled with little china flowers. This little snail had sat in the back of a curio cabinet at my previous homes, and I never gave it much thought. This time, though, I sat and held it for a very long time. I closed my eyes and felt it’s energy. I traced my finger along the labyrinth-like path on its shell and meditated with it. On an impulse, I took it up to my office/ yoga space and placed it on my desk.
This is my snail sitting on my desk.
As part of my coach training certification, we’re playing with metaphors as symbols in our lives. It’s so much fun as well as inspiring and illuminating. As I placed the snail on my desk, I got out my journal and decided to play a metaphor game with it (adapted from metaphor and dream analysis tools in my coach training program). If I were the snail, how would I describe myself? Well…perhaps I’d say I move slowly, I’m introverted and like to crawl in my shell, and I often feel fragile. However, the flowers show that I’m optimistic and I love nature and beautiful colours. How can I relate this snail to my current life experience? Well….maybe it’s reminding me that I have so many dreams for my future self but it’s okay to move slowly and carefully, and watch that I don’t get stepped on. But I need to keep moving forward and let others see that I have lots to share.
And what about snail’s meditative labyrinth design on his shell? As I gaze at it on my desk it keeps me grounded and calm. For those of you who are not familiar with labyrinths, they look somewhat similar to mazes (except you don’t get lost) and are used traditionally for meditation. A single path goes from the outside to the center.
There are many more ways I could explore the metaphor of the china snail, but I’m sure you get the idea.
My desk is the china snail’s new home. It’s sits beside my daily intention card and makes me smile. It reminds me to be mindful as I move through my day. If I hadn’t spent the time to really look at the items I unpacked from the box, I likely would have put it in the box of items to be given away. Instead, I can now use to help me ground myself in meditation, I can trace the spiral on its shell, and I can let it help me dream.
If you want to have some fun, I encourage you to try playing with metaphors. For example, you could ask yourself, “How is like ?”. Look around you and pick anything in your surroundings. Anything will work. Then get out your journal and explore with pen and paper.
References and resources:
Finding Your Way in a Wild New World by Martha Beck
Daily Intention cards available at www.mayyouknowjoy.com
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I’d love to hear from you so please send any comments or questions to me at sharon@sharonashtonmindfulyoga.com. Feel free to share this email with anyone else who may be interested.
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