Labyrinth Bathing...helping reveal open and stuck places in my life...
- Thomas Tittmann
- Nov 9
- 5 min read
Updated: 6 hours ago
I offer these reflections in gratitude for the time I spent immersed in my first labyrinth bathing experience on Sunday November 2 at St. Francis Episcopal Church in Bellmore, NY. There's an event flyer at the end of the post.
Participants were guided through this healing time by Janet Rudolph. To learn more about Janet, refer to the links at the end of this post.
Alternative Spiritual Medicine
Like I've done for many years in the world of physical medicine, I am now deepening my explorations into alternative forms of spiritual practice...
In my physical journey, I've benefited from various forms of what's known as alternative and complementary medicine. I was led here when conventional medicine was not helping.
My spiritual journey (it's actually one with my physical journey) has followed the same branching out. The first "alternative" I was led to many years ago was a form of Christian contemplative practice known as centering prayer. A modified form - introduced to me this year via my association with the Center for Spiritual Imagination in Garden City, NY - is still helping "still and quiet my soul" - as I sit and pause for 30 minutes twice a day and then bring the fruit of this practice into my daily life.
Kundalini yoga was another physical and spiritual practice that was added. I'm especially grateful that this practiced introduced me to a new genre of sacred music.
I consider my time in the recovery rooms of the12 Steps as important tools to help me take stock of who I am and where I'm going...where am I open and where am I stuck?
NOW...as we'll see in the post that follows, some new tools for the healing journey of self-discovery are being offered to me and other students who are ready...
I like the following modified version of the original quote because it describes how one of the key roles of the teacher (parent, guru, shaman, priest, rabbi, imam, stranger...) is to help students learn to recognize the voice of our inner guide, who in some circles is known as Holy Spirit or Counselor.
Healing Tools...
Ceremonial tools
Shamanic ceremonies provide sacred spaces where healing and transformation can occur. These rituals often involve a combination of various tools, such as incense, smudging herbs (like sage or palo santo), crystals, and sacred objects. The ceremony creates a container where individuals can release limiting beliefs, traumas, and negative energies while inviting in positive intentions and healing energy. The structure and symbolism of the ceremony help align the individual with their spiritual purpose and the greater web of life.
From the wealth of her spiritual practice experiences, Janet employs appropriate tools like those listed above, as well as a drum to help us better recognize areas where we are open or closed.
She also introduced the following two tools:
Chakras/Energy Centers
While I've had familiarity with the first, tarot cards were something new for me. The first is more widely utilized in conventional circles - both sacred and secular. Because tarot cards can be controversial, especially among Christians, I've written a separate post that presents the tarot cards as a type of Visio Divina (click above link) - a practice that's encouraged in traditional Christian circles..and helpful for everyone. Consider it like "reading with our third eye."
I plan to practice more with these and others I'm led to...to aid my journey of self-discovery...
The Role of Preparation
To help us prepare for our experience, Janet sent us a series of questions designed to aid our self-discovery process. These were an important part of my time and I put other things aside so I could allow her questions to probe my heart and soul. Rather than being a distraction from my current exploration of life's deeper issues, they shed new light on areas that were already under investigation...AND, they showed me new areas to give my attention to. At this place in my life, these connections are road signs that help me know that I'm following the path that's being laid out for me.
Let me begin by saying that due to Janet's guidance, I felt very safe and secure throughout the afternoon. This helped me relax so I could better receive the healing energies that were available all around us. Based on the level of honest communication, I could tell that my fellow participants were experiencing similar feelings of safety.
MUSIC FOR THE INNER & OUTER JOURNEYS
“Darkness has its teachings…”
During the time I was preparing for the labyrinth bathing experience, several lyrics about the inner journey kept coming to me.
Some came from this favorite song.
FYI - I first met Trevor when he played at Mulcahy's in Wantagh.
In this online version, Trevor introduces the song with a story from his life that bears out why a serious illness that caused him to have to cancel concerts...
"it was the perfect time to get sick."
"Hello, Darkness, my old friend...I've come to talk with you again..."
JANET: In response to the reflections you sent us after our time together, I offer this song - with its visual tapestry that includes fire and water…darkness and light…words and images of people sleeping - though the signs of awakening from their slumber are calling to them…
Song by
Hello darkness, my old friend
I've come to talk with you again
Because a vision softly creeping
Left its seeds while I was sleeping
And the vision that was planted in my brain
Still remains within the sound of silence
In restless dreams I walked alone
Narrow streets of cobblestone
'Neath the halo of a street lamp
I turned my collar to the cold and damp
When my eyes were stabbed by the flash of a neon light
That split the night and touched the sound of silence
And in the naked light I saw
Ten thousand people, maybe more
People talking without speaking
People hearing without listening
People writing songs that voices never share
No one dared disturb the sound of silence
"Fools", said I, "You do not know
Silence like a cancer grows
Hear my words that I might teach you
Take my arms that I might reach you"
But my words, like silent raindrops, fell
And echoed in the wells of silence
And the people bowed and prayed
To the neon God they made
And the sign flashed out its warning
In the words that it was forming
And the sign said "The words of the prophets are
Written on the subway walls, tenement halls
And whispered in the sound of silence"
JANET: This next video image reminded me of the JK photograph you gave us (follows).
Original Flyer...Due to weather rescheduled to Nov. 2
FOOD for our Further Journeys...
Meet friend and labyrinth SME Janet Rudolph as we enter the world of labyrinths...
Janet Rudolph - a friend who includes among her offerings one that I've enjoyed - guided labyrinth walks - will be part of an April 28-29 symposium celebrating matriarchal and matrilineal spiritual traditions. I'm already registered.
#music #labyrinth #LabyrinthBathing #JanetRudolph #shamanic #StFrancisEpiscopalChurchBellmoreNY #AlternativeMedicine #ComplementaryMedicine #CenterForSpiritualImagination #CenteringPrayer #KundaliniYoga #12Steps #HolySpirit #guru #shaman #imam #rabbi #priest #chakras #EnergyCenters #TarotCards #darkness #TrevorHall #Disturbed
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