During these stressful times of uncertainty and anxiety, Museflower Retreat & Spa Chiang Rai (musefloweretreat.com) steps up its commitment to wellbeing again with a new solution to relieve stress and calm the mind in tranquil northern Thailand.
Museflower Retreat & Spa Chiang Rai announces the launch of its outdoor Meditation Labyrinth, located in a lush bamboo grove beside its tranquil private lake. This is the perfect place to escape the congested, stressful city crowds to find peaceful mental relaxation in nature.
The Museflower Meditation Labyrinth was set up by founder and owner Tania Ho with the guidance of Susanna Eduini, who is a breathwork practitioner, Reiki master and TEDx speaker based in Phuket. The Museflower Meditation Labyrinth consists of an enormous spiral path created by a pattern of stones. Stressed, anxious guests can find mental relief when they engage in walking meditation as they make their way along the spiral path.
Never heard of a meditation labyrinth before? Wellness practitioner Susanna Eduini helps explain the benefits in this Q&A.
Is a labyrinth the same thing as a maze?
No. They are different. We need to make a distinction between “labyrinth” and “maze”. A maze is designed to confuse the user, it is a problem that needs to be solved.
A labyrinth is not designed to confuse. Its entrance is also the exit and it is designed to help you find your way out.
What is the role of a labyrinth in wellness?
The labyrinth is an ancient symbol, used for centuries as a meditation tool. It is used for walking meditation to find mental peace and clarity. It’s an excellent tool for spiritual wellness and for overall wellness; because when the mind is quiet, the heart is free and there is a profound spiritual re-alignment. Walking the labyrinth is deeply restorative and revitalizing.
Are there different types of labyrinth?
The labyrinth is an ancient pattern found in many cultures and religious traditions all around the world. The Kabbala, or Tree of Life, found in the Jewish mystical tradition is an elongated labyrinth figure based on the number 11. Tibetan sand paintings, known as mandalas, are not used to walk on, but are a kind of visual labyrinth created through a meditative state. In Native American tradition, the labyrinth is identical to the Medicine Wheel and Man in the Maze. The Celts described the labyrinth as the Never-ending Circle.
The oldest European form on record is the Cretan labyrinth, also called the classical seven-circuit labyrinth. Possibly the oldest surviving labyrinth is found in a rock carving at Luzzana, in Sardinia (Italy), and dates from 2500-2000 BCE.
Labyrinth designs were found on pottery, tablets and tiles from Syria, Peloponnisos in Greece, Egypt, Rome, England, Scandinavia and Germany. One of the most famous and spectacular labyrinths in the world is the enormous medieval labyrinth in Chartres Cathedral in France, located in the floor in the center of the cathedral. Many labyrinth patterns are based on spirals and circles mirrored in nature. One feature labyrinths have in common is that they have one path that winds in a circuitous way to the center.
Why did labyrinths start being used in spa and wellness?
What all labyrinths have in common is that they are used in contemplation. Labyrinths have been constructed recently in hospitals, parks and churches and now they are becoming included in spas and wellness centers. The mental relaxation, and the sense of calm after a labyrinth walk help support the relaxation activities offered in a spa.
How do you feel after a labyrinth walk?
The experience is absolutely personal because we are all different and we come from different backgrounds in life. In my experience with labyrinth I felt a deeper sense of myself, a quieter mind and a sense of “being here” and “I have all that I need”.
Does the labyrinth have to be a certain size to walk on?
Labyrinths can have different sizes (Chartres labyrinth in France and San Vitale Church labyrinth in Ravenna-Italy, for example). We also have finger labyrinths – labyrinth designs carved in wood or printed on paper, that you trace with your finger. It functions in much the same way as a full-size walking labyrinth except that the user traces the path using their finger rather than their feet.
What labyrinth activities are offered at Museflower Retreat Chiang Rai?
Museflower Retreat offers a Labyrinth Walking Meditation class in the regular activity schedule. The labyrinth is also incorporated in some meditation classes and vibrational healing wellness classes. For information and schedule, contact retreat@museflower.com
