Courtesy of Google Maps, I've been able to locate a labyrinth which I could access without significant difficulty. This labyrinth is part of the Armenian Heritage Park in Boston, which recognizes the Armenian genocide. It is a beautiful, well-kept space. Despite the cars flying by, and the runners flying through, the area felt peaceful. All of the pedestrians seemed content to pass through the walkway without glancing at the labyrinth within the park.
Having read that the labyrinth is a powerful tool for meditation, I decided to try it out. I walked over the grassy parts first, being amused with how I could approach the center without reaching it. After all, the center lies along a stone path, and not a grassy one. Lyrics from Legally Blonde kept playing in my head for no apparent reason. I heard: what you want (goodness me)! what you want (security)! what you want, is right in front of you, front of you; Harvard Law?---I have a 4.0 average---yeah, in fashion merchandising; and varieties thereupon. Focus. I retraced my steps and decided to walk along the stones.
I stepped on the stones which seemed to mark the beginning of the path. Focus. What you want, Warner, what you want--- Focus. There are stones. You are walking along a path, along a labyrinth. You appreciate labyrinths. I remember House of Leaves; a journey; you enter the labyrinth as one thing and come out another; the phoenix; the labyrinth as a representation of transformation; you need a chip on your shoulder, little Miss Woods comma Elle. That's enough of that. The sunset of Crowleyanity will come in a thousand years, now more like nine-hundred, though he also predicted Crowleyanity would last for two-thousand years. Would Crowley have meditated along a labyrinth, I wonder, or did he?
Ignore your thoughts and focus on the labyrinth. I am walking on the stones which other people have laid down. I am walking along stones which exist because of a terrible history. I am walking along the steps that others have taken; I am walking through history because of those who have come before me. I am---with glowing letters from your betters; any chance you know the Pope? (No.) Too bad, 'cause that would be a coup; you've got a lot of work in front of you!
The labyrinth is peaceful. A pair of blackbirds were wandering about the labyrinth. They landed shortly after I began walking the stone path---idly, I wondered if there was a connection, or any symbolism in their appearance. I like birds. What would've been truly awesome were if they were pigeons; if there's one bird I like the most, it would be a pigeon. They're so pretty. The blackbirds continue to twit about. I notice how yellow their beaks are, and how orange their tiny feet are. They're truly tiny; spindly; twig-like. They look so frail. Since I was two or three (mhmmm), my life's been planned out neat. I'd go to law school, and then win my Senate seat...three kids at least, just like the Kennedys....
I should stop listening to music.
I think I'm approaching the center, and then I take a sharp turn away from it. This is problem-solving: you think you've found the answer, and then you just miss it; you turn your back to it, and only then can you approach the answer. Alternatively, I think about how there's something I can't quite put my finger on. I can see the shape of it, but I can't see what it is. I get close to it, and then I leave it, needing to wander a little while longer before I can reach what it is. The answer comes when you least expect it. So did the center of the labyrinth.
Reaching the center was curious. What am I supposed to do? I walk around it, staring at the slightly raised platform. (I later learn there is a fountain here, though it wasn't operating at the time). Do I retrace my steps? I'm impatient. I've lost what I came here for, that much I know. I'm sick of being here and ready to move onto the next thing. Trembling, I step onto the patch of grass which goes in a straight line to the outside of the labyrinth. The trance is broken. I am ready for my next destination.
A summary of the rest of the day. I wander through the Faneuil Hall Marketplace, but find none of the vendors attractive. The place is bustling and lively, and the prices are high, with nothing tempting enough to justify the expense. All I want is coffee. I exit, and see a place called IT'S SUGAR. Well, I can't turn down sugar. I enter accompanied by some high-school chorus girls who are quick to start loading up on candy by the pound. I eye some sweets with Japanese and Korean text, vetoing them when I see the prices (was that $6 for the Pocky...?). Eventually, I select a Mars Bar and a piece of gummy sushi, which came out to $5. What a healthy breakfast.
I continue to wander. Caffe Nero catches my eye. It's a local chain, and I'd like to see what the fuss is about. The frequency of their locations seemed to rival Dunkin. The Americano was quite good. Whatever coffee they were using had a strong caramel taste, with fruity notes; there was no bitterness whatsoever. I didn't regret the $4-5 which I spent on it.
Afterwards, I located Commonwealth Books, a charming used bookstore which is packed to the brim with books (and maps, and other prints). If you're in Boston and like books, it's definitely worth a visit. The place is so charming, and the prices aren't too bad either. While I failed to locate any occult books (there was a book on Jewish mysticism, but that was it), I saw a book called Speaking of Siva, which was all of $4. I wasn't sure if Siva and Shiva were the same person, though I know nothing of either of them. The poetry seemed pleasant. I could see myself reading parts of this. And, at $4, there wasn't any harm in buying it. Despite visiting the bookstore several times, I'd yet to buy anything, so it was time to change my track record.
I was getting hungry, but I was low on time, so I decided to set out for Whole Foods. Hopefully they'd have cardamom. I passed by Boston Public Market and decided to peek inside. Had I more time, I might've left with a mushroom oracle deck, some wine, and other goodies (I saw butterflies encased in glass---yes, I do need to go back there). I caught site of a public bathroom (perfect), which was located beside The Bagel Guild. Bagels...I like bagels. Their cheddar jalapeno bagel was perfect. The spiciness was prominent but not overwhelming, and the cheese balanced it out. This was easily the best cheddar jalapeno bagel I've had.
Whole Foods was aggravating. I eyed various goods---chia seeds, maybe, but not at $9; tea, but not at those prices---until I found the spice aisle. Their store-brand ground cardamom was $6, which seemed like a steal compared to the other brands selling ground cardamom (one option was $14 for the same amount). I didn't see whole green cardamom. No matter. I glanced around, trying to locate a second lunch. A fancy health brand cream soda caught my eye, as did the pita bread. Yeah, that does sound like my idea of lunch, I thought. --- would be so disappointed in me.
My goal had been to spend the day without referencing Google Maps. Eventually, though, I grew aggravated with my slight navigational errors and began to check Maps. I'd made a wrong turn, was off by a street, went the wrong direction, and so on and so forth. This didn't cost me as much time as I feared, but was a problem when I learned I was going perpendicular to my desired location. Note to self---pay more attention to street names and intersections. And write them down. Also, go to the place when you see it instead of mentally bookmarking it and trying to find it 30min later; it won't be as easy to find as you think it will be. And double-check hours...no sense in trying to find a place if it's closed on Sundays.
As I was waiting at the train station, I noticed I could take the train out to Salem, land of the witches. Maybe next month...
