Conscious Connection
- Anne Lawrence, Ph.D.
- May 25
- 3 min read
Trust Walk
This month, my daughter and I celebrated World Labyrinth Day by uniting with pilgrims around the globe in the collective labyrinth prayer for peace, justice, and compassion, “Walk as One at 1.”
After a few days of long overdue rain on the Florida Gulf Coast, the clouds had cleared, and sunshine warmed the afternoon air. As my daughter and I approached the entrance to our backyard labyrinth, however, we were shocked to discover that the path was suddenly overgrown with Virginia pepperweed.
How quickly the familiar landscape had changed! Apparently overnight, the invasive weeds had taken over the land. Yet it also seemed that that their roots had been gaining strength for some time, hidden underground, deep in darkness. Had we lost our way forever?
Instinctively, my daughter reached for my hand. Together, we walked through the wilderness that our backyard had become. In the words of Robert Frost, “the best way out is always through.”
With each step, our feet mingled with the weeds’ bottlebrush branches, our new neighbors. They tripped us, and we trampled them, but we never turned back. As the labyrinth teaches us, Always move forward. Take one step at at time.
When my daughter and I reached the heart of the labyrinth, our feet rustled the weeds, releasing a Miami Blue butterfly into the air. Its lavender wings flickered in the sunshine and the shadows. Without both, there would be no flight. Without interconnection—even our relentless struggle with the diabolical pepperweed—there would be no new arising. As the labyrinth teaches us, Trust the process. Surrender to transformation.
Feeling Connected:
A Conscious Connection Practice
for Nurturing Your Light
“Holy Root of being
Sacred Sap that rises
Full-bodied Fragrance of Earth’s unfolding form.
May we know that we are of You
may we know that we are in You
may we know that we are one with You
together one.”
—John Philip Newell, Praying with the Earth, p. 20
Please find a quiet, comfortable place to sit down.
Once seated, you might notice your breathing, the connection between inhaling and exhaling.
Breathing here now, you might notice the connection between the soles of your feet and the ground.
As you inhale, you might receive the ground’s support.
As you exhale, you might give thanks for your connection with the earth.
Breathing here now, you might notice how the chair holds the connection between your lower body and your upper body.
As you inhale, you might receive the chair’s support.
As you exhale, you might give thanks for your connection with your whole body.
Breathing here now, you might notice the connection between the crown of your head and the air.
As you inhale, you might receive the atmosphere’s support.
As you exhale, you might give thanks for your connection with the sky.
Breathing here now, you might notice your heartbeat, the connection between embracing and releasing.
With your heart, you might hold a precious person in your life, feeling your connection.
With your heart, you might offer this precious person a blessing, feeling your connection.
Feeling your connection, you might write your blessing on a ribbon or a strip of cloth.
Feeling your connection, you might visit a beloved tree.
If it feels right for you, you might ask the tree, “Will you offer this blessing with me?”
With the tree’s consent, you might tie your blessing to a branch.
As you inhale, you might imagine that the tree’s roots are carrying your blessing deep into the earth below.
As you exhale, you might give thanks for your connection with all life.
As you inhale, you might imagine that the tree’s branches are carrying your prayer high into the sky above.
As you exhale, you might give thanks for your connection with the Source, Sustainer, and Spirit of Life.
Connecting with your breath here now, you might thank your beloved tree for blessing your life.
Connecting with your heart here now, you might thank your precious person for blessing your life.
Connecting, connected, you might thank the Source, Sustainer, and Spirit of Connection for the blessing that is your life.
