Walking the Labyrinth
Walking the SPC outdoor labyrinth can be symbolic of the faith journey. You may walk the labyrinth as a way to meditate, to look within, to recognize the wider patterns in life, and to be in harmony with others. The winding path becomes a mirror, a metaphor for life’s journey – with its twists and turns, slow places and fast stretches, peaks and valleys (joys and sorrow), turning points and insights. This sacred meditative path can be a powerful place of inner transformation, for seeking clarity of direction, for finding solace in grief, and for drawing near to God.
› Brief History of Labyrinths
The labyrinth’s origins date back to about 2500 BCE, in the form of a Cretan wide bow with 7 circuits. The oldest labyrinth constructed in a church floor was built in 324 CE. One of the best known church labyrinths is the beautiful 11 circuit stone labyrinth laid in the floor of Chartres Cathedral, built as a path of pilgrimage between 1194 and 1220. It is filled with sacred geometry, including a cross pattern and a sacred center echoing a rose window above. Pilgrims are said to have walked the Chartres labyrinth if they could not make an actual pilgrimage to the Holy Land. This has become the model for many churches, including the labyrinth at SPC.
› SPC’s Labyrinth
In 2002 there was growing interest in having an outdoor labyrinth at SPC, and the Memorial Garden lawn circle offered a peaceful location by the Memorial Wall. Presbyterian Women, with the support of Clergy and many others, adapted the Chartres labyrinth design to the space, organized the construction and funding of the outdoor labyrinth, and later added outdoor lighting with the assistance of the Property Committee. Coincidentally, the lawn circle diameter is an exact match for the Chartres labyrinth 42 feet diameter.
Our labyrinth is located behind the ABC House, within the Memorial Garden. The labyrinth is accessed through an opening in the hedge of the McCabe Garden Section, along the western side of the parking lot. Continue through the McCabe Garden Section to the labyrinth in the Memorial Wall Section. Walkers are welcome at any time, except when the Nursery Day School is in session (weekdays 8:30 AM – 3:00 PM). Groups wishing to use the labyrinth need permission from the church office; a contribution toward maintenance is requested.
› Walking the Labyrinth: Five Stages of Walking Meditation
We can think of the labyrinth journey as having five stages of walking meditation: Preparing, Journeying In, Centering, Journeying Out and Reflecting. The best way to learn about the labyrinth is to walk it with an open heart and an open mind. The action of walking stills our thoughts, allowing space for us to listen to God and to deepen our experience of contemplative prayer. By walking this path, you are part of an ancient ritual for meditation and spiritual growth.
Preparing is a quiet time before walking to consider our purpose. You may find it is helpful to sit on a bench near the labyrinth, to become still and attentive. Reflect and give yourself time to think about what you seek spiritually. As you consider your intention for the walk, you may wish to walk with a question (such as “What do I carry?”), a meditative phrase (for example, “Be Still…”), a reflection of gratitude, or prayers for others. You may choose to walk with a clear and open mind and listen for God’s guidance.
Journeying In is the movement from the labyrinth entrance to the center. There is only one path in, and the same path out, so you can walk without worrying if you will get lost. It is a time to relax and to let go of the details of daily life. It can be helpful to focus on your breathing or your footsteps. For breathing, we are reminded that the word breath means Spirit. For walking, our footsteps are tracing the path of an ancient, symbolic pilgrimage about one third of a mile in length.
As you walk, meditate on the question or theme that you have selected for reflection. Walk at a comfortable pace that is right for you from the entrance to the center. If you meet someone in the path, often the person journeying out steps aside to make way for those journeying in. There is no right or wrong way to move through the labyrinth, as some walk slowly, some move faster, some pause and bow, and others dance as a form of body prayer.
Centering is stopping in the center of the labyrinth and listening. You may wish to stand or sit, or to reflect with open or closed eyes. This is a place of reflection and discernment, as you may be absorbing insights gained while journeying in. Take as long as you like to meditate or pray. If you are walking with a group, be mindful of sharing space in the center.
Journeying Out is after you have absorbed thoughts or images from centering, and you make your way out along the same path that you walked in. This can be a time of integration when your experiences of journeying in and centering are joined with journeying out. You may experience a sense of calm or peace, or you may have a new awareness.
Reflecting is after you leave the labyrinth, when it is recommended that you take a few minutes to sit on a bench near the labyrinth to pause and remember your insights. You may want to journal, and note your observations. Every labyrinth journey is different, based on the intentions you bring and what you experience at that particular time.
The labyrinth is a universal journey walked in the company of those who have come before and those who will come after, and yet it is experienced alone. The labyrinth can be seen as redefining a journey to God, to a horizontal perspective in which we are all walking the path together. It is a universal journey walked in the company of those who have come before and those who will come after, and yet it is experienced alone. To paraphrase Lauren Artress (founder of Veriditas), the labyrinth’s path appears narrow, but metaphorically, it is a wide and gracious path to deepen our experience of God.
