Sixteen years ago when I first read about the labyrinth as a walking meditation, I immediately knew I wanted to include this wonderful tool in my workshops. Metaphorical of taking a pilgrimage, the labyrinth seemed to me to be the perfect place for people to practice the essential life skills that I taught for self-discovery and self-mastery.
It was then that I heard about a Labyrinth Facilitator’s Certification training at the Grace Cathedral in San Francisco and knew that this was a course that I wanted to attend. I reviewed the registration materials and figured out that I was already going to be in California at the time so I didn’t need to worry about the airfare from Maui, (where I live). My excitement began to build as I envisioned joining the group and learning about this sacred path.
My heart sank as I continued on to read about the registration fee as, at that particular time in my life, I had several other expenses that were taking priority and an extra $500 for this workshop was not in my budget. And then there was the issue of explaining to my husband that I was spending $500 and three days taking a class on how to teach people to walk around in circles on a specific, clearly marked path with no dead-ends and no tricks. I just knew he wasn’t going to understand why facilitation of this type of “no-brainer” experience was something that needed to be taught.
So, I sat in my personal little shrine reviewing the problem with God. “Here is the deal. There is a labyrinth facilitation course going on at the Grace Cathedral next month and I’d really like to go. However, I can’t justify the money right now. So, God, if you want me to do this work, you are going to have to come up with the money, because otherwise, I’m not going to be able to. Okay?” I offered my problem to God and then went about my day, forgetting all about it.
Soon I had heard that there was a labyrinth up on Haleakala mountain at St. John’s Church just 45 minutes from my home. Since I knew I wanted to teach people about the labyrinth but I didn’t have one, I thought I should go meet with the minister of the church and find out what they were doing with their labyrinth and if I might be able to use it from time to time. Reverend Heather and I immediately hit it off. We started sharing our appreciation of the labyrinth and our excitement about its many uses for helping people to experience a sense of peace, hear the voice of God, make sense of their life experiences, release stress, achieve balance and gain clarity. It turned out that she had a labyrinth and no one to teach about it and I wanted to teach about it but didn’t have a labyrinth. Our enthusiasm was contagious as we discovered our obvious match. In the midst of the conversation I explained to her that there was a labyrinth facilitator training coming up and that I was trying to figure out where to get the money so that I could take it.
At that, she stood up from the table where we were sitting, walked over to her desk, pulled out her checkbook and wrote me a check for $500—on our very first meeting!
As I walked away from the church—in shock—with check in hand, I had to stop to thank God. I held up the check and said to God appreciatively, “Now THAT was very clear!” On many occasions I have explained to God that I needed blunt answers and guidance, subtle clues didn’t work so well for me. Now, with check in hand, it was clear that becoming a labyrinth facilitator was definitely God’s will.
I looked back toward the waving Reverend as I drove away from the church, overwhelmed with gratitude that we got to be the answer to each other’s prayers.
© Copyright 2006-2012 Eve Hogan
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