Today in small group, I was the directee. Even though I have been going to spiritual direction every six weeks for over three years (and perhaps because of being in spiritual directions training for the past two weeks), it was delightful to not be responsible for being present (not that I was absent or distracted...just that I wasn't responsible) -- to not have to pay attention to every repitition, theme, or shimmer. Instead, my story was held in the care of another, creating a space for me to notice God's presence and call in my ordinary life.

I chose to share the story of walking the labyrinth just before orientation on the first day of the DASD program (see previous blog). Among other things, I heard an invitation to walk the labyrinth again -- to SLOW DOWN...since I was likely walking the labyrinth TOO FAST on that fateful day (despite my intentions to the contrary and paralleling my need to slow down in general). I also heard invitations to explore the meaning of the word labyrinth in my life (since I said "labyrinth" more times than any other word in the twenty minute spiritual direction session?).

Perhaps it is auspicious that I felt called to walk the labyrinth prior to the beginning of my DASD orientation -- symbolic of my spiritual journey into Yin: passive, dark, feminine, downward-seeking, and corresponds to the night. Symbolized by water or earth.