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Sally Quinn, Walking the Labyrinth

Oct 11, 2017 1h 2m 24 insights
When author and journalist Sally Quinn needs a moment of peace or clarity, she said, "I walk the labyrinth." A labyrinth walk has long represented a journey or pilgrimage and Quinn uses it for walking meditation -- her late husband, legendary Washington Post executive editor Ben Bradlee, even built one for her at their Maryland estate. Quinn, who launched the Post's 'On Faith' website as a self-proclaimed atheist, talks about her new memoir, "Finding Magic," her notorious D.C. dinner parties and discovering meaning in her life through the years she spent caring for Bradlee as he suffered with dementia, their son, who had heart defect and severe learning disabilities, and her ailing parents.
Actionable Insights

1. Seek Meaning for Happiness

Prioritize finding meaning in your life, as this pursuit is presented as the path to genuine happiness, rather than seeking happiness directly.

2. Find Meaning in Love

Dedicate yourself to loving and caring for the people you love, as this can be the most spiritual and meaningful path, leading to profound happiness.

3. Be Truthful and Authentic

Be truthful and authentic about yourself, especially as you age, because it makes you more accessible and helps people respond better to you.

4. Meditate Daily for Calm

Meditate daily for at least 10-15 minutes to feel more centered, calmer, happier, and less bothered by things that previously caused distress.

5. Develop Personal Spirituality

Create your own spiritual practice by ‘cherry-picking’ elements from different faiths that resonate with you, rather than adhering strictly to one organized religion, to find what truly works for you.

6. Engage in Mind-Emptying Nature Work

Spend time in nature performing physical tasks like clearing brush or cutting wood, as this can serve as a ‘mind-emptying’ form of meditation, bringing a sense of peace.

7. Gain Perspective on Problems

When upset, consider if the issue will matter in the grand scheme of things (‘when the history of the world is written, this is not going to be in it’) to reduce distress and gain perspective.

8. Practice Outcome Acceptance

Do your best, be proud of your work, and then accept the outcome, understanding that ’life goes on’ regardless of external success, fostering a calmer mindset.

9. Prioritize Love for Happiness

Recognize that love is the ultimate source of happiness, and prioritize cultivating and experiencing it in your life.

10. Use Labyrinths for Clarity

Walk a labyrinth to gain a unique sense of clarity and always come away with new insights or perspectives.

11. Labyrinth Meditation Technique

Walk a labyrinth while focusing on a specific issue, then sit in the center, close your eyes, concentrate on your breath, and aim to clear your mind to achieve clarity.

12. Create Supportive Rituals

Surround your meditative or sacred space with meaningful, non-monetary trinkets from loved ones to create a sense of support and connection during your practice.

13. Host Sacred Gatherings

View entertaining as a sacred and spiritual act, creating a communion with loved ones around a table with good food, wine, and meaningful conversation.

14. Host Purposeful Celebrations

Organize parties and gatherings with a specific purpose, such as honoring someone, celebrating an event, or fostering community, to give them deeper meaning.

15. Invite People, Not Status

When hosting gatherings, invite people you genuinely like and care about, rather than focusing on their professional status or ‘jobs,’ to create more authentic connections.

16. Foster Community Amidst Division

Create opportunities for people to gather and connect, especially during times of division or fear, to build a sense of community and reassurance.

17. Process Grief Actively

When experiencing grief, actively concentrate on it during a meditative practice, asking how to deal with it and move forward.

18. Walk Labyrinth Slowly

Walk the labyrinth very slowly and methodically, focusing intently on your chosen issue, to deepen the meditative experience.

19. Educate Yourself on Beliefs

If you hold strong beliefs (e.g., atheism), educate yourself thoroughly on alternative perspectives before solidifying your stance, to ensure your position is well-informed.

20. Embrace Rituals and Ceremonies

Recognize the value in rituals and ceremonies, even if previously dismissed, as they can provide profound spiritual or meaningful experiences.

21. Cultivate Belief to See Magic

Embrace the idea that ‘all religion is magic’ and that believing in something (faith) is necessary to perceive its existence or impact, rather than needing to see it first.

22. Send Positive Thoughts/Energy

Engage in a form of prayer by sending out positive thoughts, wishes, or energy, primarily because it makes you feel better, regardless of its external effect.

23. Respect Diverse Beliefs

Accept and respect others’ beliefs and faith, provided their practices do not cause harm to anyone.

24. Embrace Life’s Mysteries

Be comfortable with and intrigued by the unexplained aspects of life, as there are limits to scientific understanding, and some things are best experienced as mystery.