April 13, 2007, Palm Sunday, By Jerry Davis, The power of walking meditation, By Beverly Russell, Letters to the Editor

Jesus had difficulty mounting the donkey, but the donkey wrangler gave him a boost up and he then rode down to the head of the line.

We stayed on the porch of the chapel of the Calvary with a view down San Francisco and all of San Miguel, but blocked by the broad back of the priest who gave a brief and moving talk on the event that we were about to reenact and its’ significance.

He told us that the donkey was one that had never been ridden and when its’ owner objected to its being taken, was simply told, “It is for the master.” An old lady gave us one of her beautifully woven palms.

Then, dipping a palm frond into a bucket of holy water, the priest walked down the line of people, sprinkling all of the palms they were holding aloft. Returning to the microphone he sang a prayer, instructed us to go carefully and “Christ’s entry into Jerusalem” started down the hill.

His warning was well-given as traffic continued up and down the street, incense smoke mingled with exhaust and the need for an amplifier became apparent when the busses roared past. “Viva Cristo Rey” everyone sang, trying to concentrate on the procession and ignore the tourist cameras. If my gringo face appears in any photo pretending to show the quaint religious customs of an unspoiled village it will ruin the whole effect.

In spite of the noise, curious tourists and flashing cameras it was a solemn procession, each one with their own thoughts, but linked by the common desire to participate. We were symbolically welcoming Christ into the city where his destiny would be fulfilled and at the same time welcoming thoughts of our own destinies. Have we met the measure? What will we leave behind? Is this important or simply superstition?

I have always envied the devotion of the Mexicans, from the time years ago when I lived near La Villa, the shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe in Mexico City and often saw pilgrims arriving after days and weeks of walking, many doing the final miles on their knees. The sincerity and depth of belief are almost palpable. So is the anger. I have heard petitioners scolding the saint for not granting their wishes. “I did as promised and at great sacrifice, but you never answered my prayer!”

As the apostles, Mary, Mary Magdalene, Anna and we followers neared San Francisco Church the bells began to ring, spectators became more numerous and we filed between two rows of palm sellers and into the church. I wanted to add to my collection, a chalice from last year and a monstrance from the year before, but waited to shop in front of the Parroquia where I think the selection is better. I bought a crucifix with a cleverly woven figure of Christ and a simple cross.

An hour later a different and much larger entry procession came down Correo Street and went into the Parroquia. Christ and his donkey, as well as other images were carried on the shoulders of several men preceded by conchero dancers. Drums beat, trumpets blew and several hundred palm waving people entered the church. Here the sober Spanish solemnity that we had participated in was contrasted with the ebullient mixture of European and indigenous that makes Mexico… Mexico.

Dr. Norman Araiza’s masterful analysis of the way manipulation of consciousness can influence daily life (Atención, “Sincerely Human” 2/16) covered many aspects of mindfulness.

But one was missing: Walking meditation within a labyrinth. Labyrinths were rediscovered in 1991, after 300 years of dormancy, and were introduced to the US by San Francisco’s Dr. Lauren Artress, who started Veriditas the World Wide Labyrinth Project after a visit to Chartres, France.

Since then, thousands of people have found the answers to their personal questions through this peaceful form of walking meditation. An ancient device, predating Christianity with a worldwide, cross-cultural history going back over 5000 years, labyrinths have crept their way into diverse modern environments from botanical gardens to health spas, medical centers, prisons, schools, churches and gathering places for contemplation such as Ground Zero in New York City, the site of the 9/11 disaster.

Current world events have found some people asking for more meaning in life. What should our focus be? As violinist Itzhak Perlman has said: “We need more beauty and artistry to compensate for the darker side that has come into our lives.” All of the larger-than-life questions about our presence here on earth and the artistic gifts we have to offer require metaphysical exploration. Answers can often be found in prayer and trance states, as Dr. Araiza suggests, both of which probe the idea of tapping into an invisible force that can guide and promote our deepest desires. The use of the labyrinth as a tool to this end also serves as a means to further personal creativity. And for most walkers the results—unlike, for example, prayer—are immediate. There is a Latin phrase attributed to St. Augustine that explains the value and quick response of the labyrinth: “Solvitur ambulando” meaning “you can sort it out by walking.” The rhythm of walking naturally stills the mind and the practice of walking meditation in a labyrinth symbolizes the journey to the center. How often do we say: “We’re going around in circles”, “let’s get to the heart of the matter”, or “the center of things”? Labyrinth enthusiasts believe this kind of conversational observation is not just a happy accident but is based on the profound, sometimes desperate, human need to find a solution by “centering” the mind. Some people new to the concept of the labyrinth may wonder exactly what it is and where it comes from. And is a maze the same thing? Although no one knows the exact origin of the labyrinth, there are indications in archaeological sites in Greece, Turkey and other areas of the Middle East, that labyrinths were built in healing temples, often located on wells or springs of water. From the ruins of one temple at Ephesus, a destination for healing where people apparently consulted oracles and experienced miracles similar to Lourdes today, it is evident that the building was constructed around a labyrinth. Labyrinths were embraced in the church in the early years of Christianity and incorporated into numerous European Gothic cathedrals erected around the 12th century, such as Chartres, Reims, Bayeux and Amiens. There are drawings showing that the labyrinth was a community gathering point inside the building. But other religions and cultures, such as the Native American culture, and the Jewish and Hindu religions, have convincing associations with the motif in their particular doctrines. The labyrinth in the nave of Chartres typifies the traditional design. It is 42 feet in diameter, with eleven circuits. The single winding path to the center changes direction 34 times. The rosette at the center contains six “petals” and is said to symbolize the rose of enlightenment. The labyrinth walker continues along the path in meditation from the entrance to the center, and stops for reflection standing on a petal in the rose. It is in this area that “cosmic” messages or answers are most frequently received. The return journey is along the same path back to the entrance, which gives the walker time to absorb the message and consider how to implement it. The process is a simple, easy and calming walk. A maze on the other hand is designed to confuse and puzzle the mind with strange twists and turns and paths leading nowhere. Several paths may intersect, giving many options as to where to go, helping the walker to become lost, disoriented and bewildered. In Britain, where many mazes still exist today in gardens of the medieval manor houses and castles these mazes are considered more of an entertainment than a path for contemplation.

We all have our share of challenges through life. Often these hurdles seem frightening and climbing over them just too hard. “The journey of 10,000 miles begins with the first step,” said Lao Tzu. Walking meditation helps to remind us that small steps are easy to accomplish, and that challenges are to be surmounted step by step. That the labyrinth has the power to transform a person or a situation is confirmed by the numerous walkers who have been helped by this practice. From a single labyrinth in San Francisco’s Grace Cathedral initiated by Dr. Artress 17 years ago, the groundswell has led to a worldwide Labyrinth Society (www.labyrinthsociety.com) with a network of chapters all over the US and beyond.

Letters to the Editor, April 13, 2007

Editor,

I have been living full-time in San Miguel for eleven years and know my way about the city pretty well. However, if I need a street address, a service or other information, my source has always been Archie Dean’s The Insider’s Guide To San Miguel. I have bought every edition and this year I now have one in my office and another in my bedroom. Many people in the city and in the US call or email me for information and rather than spending a lot of time doing the research and replying to them in detail, I refer them to “The Insider’s Guide.”

The 2007 17th edition is more complete than previous ones. It has 292 pages and 90 chapters and is available in about 30 outlets in SMA, including the Biblioteca’s Tienda.

Archie can be seen walking the streets of San Miguel, noting the ever growing changes in restaurants, galleries, boutiques and other services in the city. He checks out every referral and does not accept ads or gratuities.

Another publication that many people have found helpful is “Our Caring Community. Your Resources in San Miguel.” We have printed two editions and find there are important corrections as soon as we pick it up from the printer. An updated edition is in the works and we hope to have it available in June. If you want to make any corrections please email them to zapmarge@yahoo.com .

Marjorie Zap

Editor,

It seemed to me that the issue about “The Insider’s Guide.......” was resolved when Charlotte Bell kindly telephoned me and apologized for possibly infringing on my title with her advertising in this paper and with posters around town. I gladly accepted her explanation and thanked her for calling.

Now Mr de Gast has weighed in with an opinion about copyrights and trademarks. Contrary to his statement, I do in fact, have copyright and trademark registrations for my publication. Should Mr de Gast or anyone else need further clarification on this, they should contact the Intellectual Property Department of Baker & McKenzie, S.C., law firm.

Archie Dean

Editor,

On Wednesday at 6pm, my van suffered destruction of a tire and a rim, due to negligence of Obras Publicas, when it fell into the drain on Av. Guadalupe at Ignacio Allende. Directors of the local administration are ducking and hiding. They could make good publicity from bad by taking care of the damage. Instead they want to face charges of professional negligence.

Karl Schueler

Dear Editor,

I want to express my appreciation for Atencion’s coverage of the “town meetings,” and especially the one with Dr. Szekely in the Museo Allende.

When I arrived at that meeting I was both dismayed and thrilled. Thrilled because the meeting was overflowing with concerned citizens, and dismayed because I couldn’t find a seat. Fortunately, a younger friend gave me her seat.

I was impressed with Dr. Szekely’s 27-point program and his emphasis on everyone working together to save San Miguel. We need to all pull together to say “NO” to the the rapid and unparalleled development of San Miguel and its environs. Planned development with citizen input is a hopeful solution. All residents, Mexicans and foreigners, should act as concerned citizens. Otherwise, “Killing the goose that laid the golden egg” will be the outcome.

I want to thank the organizations that have been spearheading citizen concern. El Charco del Ingenio, Basta Ya, Arte en Resistencia, and others. If you would like to contribute funds to help this effort, I suggest that you contact El Charco del Ingenio.

And I hope that Atencion continues its excellent coverage of the most important events that have happened in the 40 years that I have known San Miguel de Allende. The event’s being the speed with which destructive overdevelopment is ruining this town, and, in response, the recent surge of “insurgentes” who are rebelling against “business as usual.”