Partnering with God -- A Spiritual Spa Day
at Peace Awareness Labyrinth and Gardens

by Carol Jones, photos by Ken Jones

Each Spa Day I attend touches my heart in a different way. This one asked me to trust God and open to God more fully, knowing that God is already my partner. Right from the start I heard myself praying I would open up even if it would be just a little more fully. My mind kept wanting me to think of things, to worry, and to fall back on my perennial concern, that "not one Soul will be lost," as John-Roger teaches, except me of course.

Facilitators, Stu and Candace Semigran, long time Educare and Insight facilitators with lots of experience in working with folks to assist them in opening their hearts, brought home one of the most powerful keys I know of to lift me out of my own doubts, fears, and misunderstandings--Gratitude. As I stewed in my worries, I remembered--Gratitude. Yes, gratitude has lifted me many times into a place of warm, glowing acknowledgment that my life is full of things for which to be grateful.

And Spa Day began to work on me! I'm grateful to be working and living at Peace Awareness Labyrinth and Gardens. I love my job, and my heart opens on a daily basis as I introduce people to the gardens, the labyrinth, and the teachings John-Roger has given us. My heart is stirring as I scan my life to acknowledge even more things I'm grateful for--my health, my husband, my spiritual focus, John-Roger, John Morton, and all the wonderful people I work with on a daily basis.

As we listen to the Breathing Meditation from the Momentum: Letting Love Lead CD, I get a glimpse of being in the now, with no thoughts, no worries, no concerns that I'll be left behind. What a gift. Next comes J-R's

As we listen to the Breathing Meditation from the Meditation of Perfect Balance. And I realize all is well in this one's heart. All is gone from this one's mind. This one is at peace.

Brunch is just the best once again. Fresh Mandarin orange poppy seed salad, delicious bread salad, fluffy eggs, crispy breakfast potatoes and Elaine Kitchell's now (in)famous signature baked French toast with apples and cranberries. Urth Caffé coffee and teas. Smiling faces greet us as we come in from our meetings with God. You know, food is a powerful symbol of God's love, isn't it! And we've got the best here at the Gardens.

The afternoon session is all about bringing that intention to partner with God to the labyrinth. I take that as a prayer--"Dear God, as I walk today, please let me continue my journey toward you in loving, in gratitude, and in understanding." We listen to the Peace Awareness Labyrinth Meditation, a compilation of excerpts from John-Roger and John Morton on the day they consecrated the labyrinth here at the Gardens.

Two pieces that stand out in my consciousness: "Lord God of the Universe, we ask that you bring forward your Light especially for this labyrinth, to bless everyone that comes through it, to bring forward plenty; and to open up the doors of your gifts to those who walk the labyrinth. We do this in the name of our Father in Heaven, Amen".

And "Keep your eyes open because God is present as you, inside of you, and sometimes comes by way of your dreams, the dreams of illusions, but more often by dreams of disillusion where you awaken from the sleep of your own ego and come to the reality of your own Soul. Baruch Bashan". Baruch Bashan means, the blessings already are.

I walked the labyrinth, but I have no memory of anything except "Baruch Bashan." And so the day ended with one awareness after another that indeed I am blessed. God is present, and I am of God.

To register for our events, visit www.peacelabyrinth.org or email to registrar@peacelabyrinth.org or call Zoe at (323) 737-4055 x127.