Labyrinth

What is a Labyrinth

A labyrinth is an ancient tool for people of all beliefs to come together for a common spiritual experience. It can help bring about personal transformation and shift is consciousness. It is meant to awaken us to the deep rhythm that unites us to ourselves and to the light that calls form within.

Physically, a labyrinth is a design having a single pathway, which, after a number twists and turns arrives at the center of the design. It is an ancient symbol that relates to wholeness. If combines the imagery of the circle and spiral into meandering but purposeful path. A maze, other other hand, is designed to be confusing, having multiple pathways and dead ends.

Labyrinths have been knows to the human race for over 4000 years and are found in just about every major religious tradition in the world.  our labyrinth is patterned after the labyrinth in the Chartres cathedral in France, which was laid into stonework on the floor of the great cathedral sometime between 1194 and 1220. It is believed that Christians used the Chartres cathedral labyrinth as a pilgrimage tool during the 12th century when travel by the holy city of Jerusalem became too dangerous and expensive because of the Crusades.

Over the last 12 years, labyrinths have undergone a dramatic revival as a meditation, relaxation and spiritual tool.  Beginning in the churches in the U.S., the renewal now encompasses religious communities of all types, hospitals and health care facilities, retreat center, schools and universities, public parks, memorial and healing gardens.

In the Christian mystical tradition the journey to God was articulated in the threefold path. The labyrinth can be walked into these three stages.

Release: walking into the labyrinth is a time to release your troubles, clear and quiet your mind. Open your heart to whatever if might feel.

Receive: reaching the center. This can be place of meditation and prayer. Pause and open yourself to the Spirit. Listen to that small inner voice.

Return: reconnecting with the outer world. As you follow the path out, experience the sense of well being, healing, excitement, calm or peace.

Why walk the Labyrinth

As human beings we are encouraged to develop a method to recollect ourselves and journey inward to our sacred center with is abundantly alive and our true nature. Walking the labyrinth is one of many methods to find a spacious and peaceful simplicity within.  The labyrinth provides a space to listen to one’s inner and outer world and find a slower pace in our busy lives.

It has been suggested that “by following the one path to the center, the seeker can use the Labyrinth to quiet the mind ad find peace and illumination at the center of his or her being. The walk and all that happens on it can be grasped through the intuitive, pattern-discerning faculty of the person walking it.”

The Labyrinth is open to anyone and any tradition to walk because it does not require a doctrine to walk meditatively. Adults and children both find the Labyrinth beneficial and it can be danced, skipped, crawled, walked with a can or traveled by wheelchair.  The seeker is asked to put one foot in front of the other. By entering the Labyrinth, we are choosing once again to walk the spiritual path.

This Labyrinth is in the form of a circle with a meandering path from the edge to the center and back out again — large enough to be walked in and out of. The Labyrinth has only one path and once we make the choice to enter, the path becomes a metaphor for our journey through life.

Everyone is invited to walk the Labyrinth!

Instructions for Walking the Labyrinth

• There is not a right or wrong way to walk the Labyrinth.
• As you begin your walk, take a few deep breaths at the start of the path, find your center, and focus your intentions.
• Find your own natural pace as you walk – you can walk slowly, fast, crawl, dance, skip or pause at any point as you walk to or from the center.
• If you are walking faster than someone, you can pass them. It is easiest at a turn.
  In the center you can stay as long as you want. You can lie down, kneel, meditate, prostrate, dance, stand or just leave. Again, follow your own natural pace.
• Since the Labyrinth has only one path, you may encounter others and can simply allow them to pass.
• Each experience with the Labyrinth will be different. Sometimes is may feel as though nothing has happened and others you may have a strong experience. Remember, everything on the Labyrinth is a metaphor.
• Enjoy your experience. Listen to your own heart and take all the time you need.

The Labyrinth is very user friendly.  you cannot get lost nor can your fail-there is no right or wrong way to walk the path.

“Walking the Labyrinth is a body prayer. It is non-threatening; all w are asked to do is walk.“ Dr. Rev’s Lauren Artress.