WALK THIS WAY: A New Path for Social Change
From Traditional Activism To Contemplative Activism
What’s In This Newsletter:
My experience moving from traditional to sacred activism
Resources for World Labyrinth Day + a link to find a labyrinth near you
A video from Jim Finley exploring creating a contemplative culture
A link to the study on Contemplative Labyrinth Activism in The National Library of Medicine
A free video training about contemplative labyrinth activism
“…People are going back and forth across the doorsill where the two worlds touch.
The door is round and open. Don’t go back to sleep.” - Rumi
I am not new to activism.
My first protest was with my mom at a city council meeting and I was wearing a Miss Piggy hand puppet holding a miniature protest sign. I kid you not.
I have given speeches at rallies for climate justice. I have spoken to school boards and city councils.
I have marched to the steps of state capitals in hopes of changing legislation.
I have chanted and yelled with signs in protests and marches.
I do not regret any of these actions.
While I remain committed to activism and social justice, how I show up has shifted.
Enter contemplative labyrinth activism.
You might be thinking, what in the world is she talking about? Let me explain.
In July of 2023, I graduated from Richard Rohr’s Center For Action and Contemplation. That 2-year contemplative journey and deep dive into the study of the mystics combined with a commitment to social justice, was soon followed by my training to become a certified labyrinth facilitator with Veriditas.
These two complementary paths have transformed the way I take action.
In the last few years, a new form of activism has emerged known as contemplative labyrinth activism, which focuses on utilizing spiritual practices and heart-centered intentions for healing and social change. Unlike traditional activism, which often involves outward, vocal, and confrontational actions, contemplative labyrinth activism emphasizes internal work, connection to the quantum field, and collective intention setting.
The origins of contemplative labyrinth activism are fairly new and can be traced back to early 2020 when the entire world was experiencing a collective pandemic and two women, Ellen Bintz Meuch & Chris Katzenmeyer, leaders in the international labyrinth movement partnered with a Baylor University scientist, Dr. Jasmine McGee, to study the collective impact of the labyrinth.
In their research project, participants shared that they felt a sense of connectedness and that collective labyrinth walking was a transcendent experience, no surprises there. What is more interesting is that they discovered that it gave participants a sense of compassion and a desire for action. They discovered that the collective act of walking labyrinths with shared intentions could have a profound impact on individuals and communities alike.
The study brought in over 1000 testimonials but these two will give you an idea of the responses:
“In my walk today, it was clear to me that I want to always speak out about injustice in the world. I didn't know about using an intention to do that, and I do now.”
The second example: “In my walk, children's suffering came up. I want to do something more than feel the feelings. I am aware of my heart. I will ask my heart what I can do. "
These are just two reflections of those sampled who found that by walking a labyrinth with an intention, what they truly wanted was to take some action on a social issue that mattered to them. I think most of us here feel the same. But perhaps the way we take action is what matters most.
Traditional and Contemplative Activism
One of the key differences between traditional activism and contemplative labyrinth activism lies in their approach to conflict and opposition. In traditional activism, there is often a clear delineation between right and wrong, and the focus is on advocating for one's beliefs in public, in an often noisy, combative manner.
I have participated in this kind of activism, and history has shown us repeatedly that outward-focused activism has brought much-needed change to many oppressed groups. I am grateful for the forward movement and liberation many traditional activist movements have created. In contrast, contemplative labyrinth activism seeks to transcend this dualistic thinking by fostering a sense of connection and shared purpose.
Activism will always be necessary, but today I want to speak about how we take a stand for social justice, knowing what we now know from quantum physics about coherence, intention, and resonance.
A crucial aspect of contemplative labyrinth activism is the practice of coherence, both as individuals and as a group. Coherence involves aligning one's thoughts, emotions, and intentions to create a harmonious energy field. This coherence can then be amplified through group entrainment, where individuals synchronize their energies to a common intention.
Most people around the world who walk a labyrinth have benefited from personal insight and reflection by walking the labyrinth. The question remains, what do we then do with that insight and information? The crux of contemplative activism is combining the heart-centered intention with inspired action.
Again, I point back to Richard Rohr’s well-known work with The Center for Action and Contemplation which drives home this idea of Both/And. When Rohr was asked what is more important to him, contemplation or action, he responded, “Oh, no, neither, neither. It’s the word “and.”
Intention setting is another fundamental aspect of contemplative labyrinth activism. Participants are encouraged to formulate a clear, heart-centered intentions for healing and social change. These intentions are then brought into the labyrinth walk, where the collective energy of the group amplifies them.
In 2016, when I was at Standing Rock during the Dakota Pipeline protest, we as a community started our mornings around the sacred fire for daily instruction from the elders followed by a morning water ceremony. The elders emphasized not just the actions we were taking as Water Protectors, but how crucial it was to take action “in a good way.” This heart-centered intention and our coherence mattered. They might not have used those words but the understanding was the same. This was my first real introduction to peaceful intention combined with bold action. There were some who showed up at Oceti Sakowin camp with different intentions of anger or a desire for violence. The elders begged those not interested in doing things “in a good way,” to please go home.
Finally, contemplative labyrinth activism does emphasize the importance of activism. While the practice begins with internal reflection and intention setting, its ultimate goal is to inspire tangible change in our communities and the world. Participants are encouraged to take concrete steps toward manifesting their intentions and inspiration, whether through advocacy, community service, or other forms of activism.
Contemplative labyrinth activism represents a new paradigm for social change, one that combines the transformative power of spiritual practice with the collective energy of group intention. By fostering coherence, setting clear intentions, and taking action, practitioners of contemplative labyrinth activism hope to create a more compassionate, connected, and harmonious world, uniting the desire for contemplation and action.
WORLD LABYRINTH DAY - May 4, 2024
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
Saturday, May 4, 2024: World Labyrinth Day
Walk as One At One For Peace
On Saturday, May 4, 2024, thousands of people will participate in the seventeenth annual World Labyrinth Day as a moving meditation for peace and celebration of the labyrinth experience. Whether you are familiar with labyrinths or new to the idea of non-maze labyrinth paths, all are welcome to learn more and take part. On this day we create a rolling wave of peace as people all over the world Walk as One at One. Wherever you are, you walk at 1 pm in your time zone.
Want to participate in World Labyrinth Day where you live but you don’t know to find a labyrinth near you? Here’s a great start: Worldwide Labyrinth Locator
If you are near Northern Colorado, come join our walk!
All Saints Episcopal Church in Loveland will offer an introductory workshop and Open Walk in celebration of World Labyrinth Day. The event will be held on the lawn of All Saints on a temporary labyrinth. There will also be an indoor labyrinth available to walk in inclement weather or if preferred.
The schedule is as follows:
12:30 pm. Welcome and Introduction to Walking A Labyrinth
1:00 pm Open walk begins - Walk As One At One
(An open walk provides an opportunity for the community to come and walk anytime between 1 pm and 3 pm with guidance and support. )
Join us and walk with an intention of peace.
History of World Labyrinth Day
World Labyrinth Day is an international event that was founded by The Labyrinth Society (TLS) in 2009 as a way to promote awareness and encourage people to visit and enjoy labyrinths as part of their spiritual experience. Over the years, various other organizations have been involved with and collaborated on the planning of this day, including the Australian Labyrinth Network (ALN), Veriditas, and the Legacy Labyrinth Project.” - www.daysoftheyear.com
Want to connect with a World Labyrinth Day Event near you? Visit www.worldlabyrinthday.org for information, resources, videos, graphics, and promotional materials. Questions? Contact Ellen Bintz Meuch, WLD Coordinator.
Lastly, here is a famous Rumi poem that I have shared before and that you have likely read. The poem is called “A Great Wagon,” and the middle verse—my favorite—is below:
“Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing,
there is a field. I’ll meet you there.
When the soul lies down in that grass,
the world is too full to talk about.
Ideas, language, even the phrase “each other”
doesn’t make any sense.
The breeze at dawn has secrets to tell you.
Don’t go back to sleep.
You must ask for what you really want.
Don’t go back to sleep.
People are going back and forth across the doorsill
where the two worlds touch.
The door is round and open.
Don’t go back to sleep.”
The Divine has a secret to tell you, don't go back to sleep. You must ask for what you truly want. Don't go back to sleep. People are going back and forth across the doorsill. Don’t go back to sleep. The door is round and open. Don't go back to sleep. In contemplative labyrinth walking, we can walk through that round and open door and then take sacred action from the insights gleaned and given.
May your walking be blessed. May your action be done in a good way. Don’t go back to sleep.
xo Mary
3 THINGS WORTH SHARING
My teacher Jim Finley, faculty with The CAC, invites us into the interior dimensions of mystery of our own presence. He explains that “we have to create a contemplative culture in our heart.”
Link to the Study on contemplative labyrinth activism in The National Library of Medicine
Free video training from Ellen and Chris that goes into more detail and from which I learned much of this information about contemplative labyrinth activism.
LOOKING AHEAD :
NEXT WEEK: In our paid subscriber membership:
Updates and a story from my memoir-in-progress 📗
A creative-contemplative practice to engage: Humming 🐝🐝🐝
My monthly recommendations: what I am watching, reading and listening to this month 📚🎶🎬
An audio recording of the post so you can listen on the go 🎧
NEXT MONTH : May is Mental Heath Awareness Month
Posts to look forward to:
A Daughter of Bi-Polar Disorder + My Fear of Psychological Labels - May 7
This Is The House That Mom Built - May 21
Paid Membership Post and Audio Recording - May 28
A portion of our paid subscriptions this month support: ChildSafe is Northern Colorado’s only comprehensive outpatient treatment program for child and adult victims of childhood abuse, particularly child sexual abuse, and their non-offending family members. They treat over 1000 clients every year.
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Love the Rumi poem. This stanza seems to hold all of your ideas in one place and demonstrate them.