Yes the Berg has some very special attractions and these include a Drakensberg labyrinth. Antbear Lodge true to its unique way of doing things has created a 2.4 km labyrinth walk through a forested area lapping out with spectacular views of the Drakensberg Mountains.
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 Labyrinth represents a journey to our own centre and back again out into the world. Labyrinths have long been used as meditation and prayer tools.
Labyrinth walks and workshops are held at every full and new moon, on summer and winter solstices and spring and autumn equinoxes. They are also a perfect addition to retreats.
A Labyrinth is a purposeful path to peace and possibilities.
Walking a labyrinth is a personal journey of self-discovery, growth and change. At its most basic level the labyrinth is a metaphor for the journey to the centre of your deepest self and back out into the world with a broadened understanding of who you are.
Everyone who wants to walk has personal reasons (consciously and unconsciously), to find balance, to pray, to find answers to questions, to be open to answers, to set an intention, to meditate, to forgive, to creative inspiration, to relieve stress, to seek guidance or to find peace.
You can just wander … or walk in a wander – there is no right or wrong way to walk a labyrinth. Do what feels right for you. You can walk and rest, or walk and ponder, or walk and use your senses; listen to the birds, hear the wind. It can help to establish an intention first, the “why”, the “what” and the “how”. The meditation forest is a place for quiet meditation, to guide you with your intention.
The experience of walking in the labyrinth is different for each person, and also different each time you walk the labyrinth.
As guidance, the labyrinth walk can be broken up into 3:
Enter into the labyrinth:
- Release or letting go of worries, fears, questions and uncertainties that occupy the mind.
Center of the labyrinth:
- Receiving, let all thoughts and answers come to you. Spend time and reflect. You may receive something or leave something behind.
Exit of the labyrinth:
- Focus on returning to normal life, with the new found wisdom, composure and insight
The labyrinth is a representation of your inner journey to your own core and truth and back into the world where you can focus on your personal journey of life and not get caught up in the wrongs of life.
An approach to walking the labyrinth:
1. Stand at the entrance and affirm some intention for your walk. A generic intention may be “to walk in gratitude for all the blessings in my life”. Some people ask for clarity on a question they have or special blessings for someone.
2. Walk the path and remember that you are going into yourself, to your inner knowing, to any resources that available to you. Let go of thought and control.
3. At the Centre pause. You may choose to say some prayers. You may sit for awhile. Give yourself time to take in the walk to centre and to prepare for the transition out.
4. Follow the path and walk out of the labyrinth. Remind yourself that you are taking whatever you received from your centre out into the world. You are walking out to action. You are integrating as you walk out of the labyrinth.
5. When you’ve completed the walk, turn toward the centre and give thanks.
When walking the labyrinth with a group, you may want each person to enter after the person in front of them is about 10m or so in.
There is not just one way to be with the labyrinth. There is no “right” or “wrong” way. You can make up your own way. You can talk and sing and dance your way around alone, in small groups or all together. You can go right to centre or skip paths.
