Most mornings I go for a walk or run. When I walk, one of my common destinations is a cemetery near my house. There are actually three cemeteries all connected, making for several miles of relatively quiet, secluded walking paths. Walking in a cemetery is very peaceful. I have to assume more people don’t take advantage of them because the graves make them uncomfortable. For me, they are a welcome reminder of the unavoidable loss of this life – our society seems to do everything it can to shelter us from this fact. It also makes me happy to think that perhaps the dead are glad to have some company. The idea of the dead people hanging around their graves is a bit absurd, of course, but it’s fun to think about any way.
The middle of the three cemeteries is made of 4-5 concentric circles with a few paths cutting through them. Normally I’ve just walked through this cemetery, which lies between the first and third on my walk, in order to cover the most ground. But recently I’ve started staying in this one – walking the circles. I find this very peaceful and meditative. Perhaps the small amount of focus needed to navigate the circles in order helps keep my mind on the walking, and the consistent scenery provides less distraction.
Labyrinths of various sorts have been used in almost every spiritual tradition for meditative practice and span over 4,000 years. I’ve read speculations that walking them creates right and left brain shifts, and that it balances the chakras. I don’t know – and this cemetary path is not really a proper labyrinth as it provides multiple choices – but it’s fun nonetheless.
I’d be interested in hearing from anyone who has experiences with labyrinths or knows something about them.
Reblogged this on Namaste Consulting Inc. and commented:
As always, another great post! I love the idea of your morning walk through the cemetary.
When I was having a lot of pain issues many years ago, I found myself driving to the cemetary to meditate. It was a good wake up to be here and be present to what life was at that moment.
We hide from the charnal grounds… we hide from the convalescent homes… we hide from all those experiences that can afford us growth, compassion, and care…
Thank you for the reblog, Jennifer. Our cemeteries are more like nature parks than charnal grounds – but they’re still avoided as if there are decomposing bodies lying about.
I attend a Unity church on Sundays, but there is a Lutheran church in my town that has a small Chartres labyrinth. My wife and I try to stop there every Sunday morning before going to our own church. It is a great way to get centered into a spiritual mindset.
That’s a cool idea, Chris. I hadn’t thought of finding labyrinths at local churches. Turns out there are several fairly nearby. Found a web site with a huge searchable directory of them: http://labyrinthlocator.com/home
Cemeteries are beautifully places, especially the old ones. I’ve taken dying furbys to a cemetery by the vets before, and sat peacefully there with them. It’s like the story of Buddha and the grieving lady / mustard seed. We can do better things with our energy than be sad.
Dying furbys? What’s that?
Soz, Furry babies – little furry animals – approaching death. Visiting the cemetery after the vets put things into perspective.