Labyrinths

Why do I love labyrinths? I can doodle between the lines and create something beautiful with a purpose. However, it all started with Nikita, our fourth Labrador. Like all Labradors, Nikita had lots of energy, but she was wilder than Marley, of "Marley and me".

To help Nikita become calmer it was decided to contact a dog behaviorist. The lady taught me how to touch Nikita the correct way and most importantly, how to walk with her through a labyrinth. The labyrinth was shaped on the lawn using a hose pipe. Nikita had to sit at the entrance so that I could put her leash on. We then walked very slowly to the middle of the labyrinth. There she had to sit down again and wait for a while. After this we went back very slowly to the starting point, where she had to sit again for a while and wait.

The impact of these exercises was significant. It calmed Nikita, gave her confidence, and kept her much happier, as well as us.

A labyrinth is an ancient symbol that relates to your entire being. At the entrance you start walking into a meandering but purposeful path. It has only one path. To walk a labyrinth, you need to apply intuition, creativity, and imagery. Labyrinths have long been used to reflect; count your blessings; give thanks and pray for family and friends. At its most basic level the labyrinth is a metaphor for the journey to the center of your deepest self and back out into the world with a broadened understanding of who you are.

The best-known labyrinth is the Chartres Cathedral in France.

Labyrinths and mazes have often been confused. A maze is a puzzle to be solved. It has twists, turns and blind alleys and most often the paths are separated by high hedges. It is a left-brain task.