LABYRINTH
“I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble. Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life.”
Proverbs 4:11-13
What is a Labyrinth?
The labyrinth is a universal symbol for the world, with its complications and difficulties, which we experience on our journey through life. The entry to the labyrinth is birth; the center is death and eternal life. In Christian terms, the thread that leads us through life is divine grace. Like any pilgrimage, the labyrinth represents the inner pilgrimage we are called to make to take us to the center of our being. Labyrinths are used help achieve a contemplative state. Walking among the turnings, one loses track of direction and of the outside world, and thus quiets her mind. The result is a relaxed mental attitude, which allows us to commune with God on a deeper level. When considering the labyrinth, there are only two choices: walk it, or to not walk it. If walked, it can change one's life.
How do I walk a Labyrinth?
There are as many different ways to walk the labyrinth as there are individuals. When we walk the labyrinth, we discover our sacred inner space. We are attracted to healing tools such as labyrinth because they deepen our self-knowledge and empower our creativity. Walking the labyrinth clears the mind and gives insight into the life journey. It calms those in a state of transition, and helps us to see life in the context of a path. To those who are in sorrow, it gives solace and peace. The journey is different for everyone, as is life, for we each bring different raw material to the labyrinth. We bring our uniqueness, and often depart with a greater sense of oneness and unity.
Step 1:
The labyrinth is a path for prayer and meditation. Collect yourself before you start. Rest along the outside for a while before you start walking.
Step 2:
Walk around the outside once. Think of different people, events, situations, places or things in your life. Get centered.
Step 3:
There are two common ways of walking. The way of silence and the way of image. In choosing the way of silence it might be helpful to focus on your breathing. The way of image might be done by reciting a prayer, scripture, question, or a name for God over and over to yourself. In either case or in some other manner best suited to you, be open to your heart and mind. Pay attention to your thoughts as they rise and then let them go.
The labyrinth is a place of presence; allow yourself to be present to yourself and to God. The labyrinth is a teacher; let it teach you through the mysterious power of God. As you walk the path, thoughts and ideas may rise up for you and in you -- often in refreshing and startling ways.
One way to feel more connected to the experience is to walk barefoot and slowly. There is no need to rush. Some people feel a sense of confusion as they first start, remember there is only one path in and one path out. You will not get lost. For some people running as quickly as possible to the center, resting there, and then running quickly out is a powerful experience.
Experiencing the Labyrinth
People have different experiences walking the labyrinth. As with all practices of prayer or meditation, your experience will grow and deepen the more you do it. There is no "right" experience. Some people feel a sense of peace. Others find old memories rising up as they walk. Others find themselves thinking about an immediate situation or person. Others walk at varying speeds as different thoughts and emotions come and go. Some people experience physical sensations, perhaps become light-headed, or have a feeling of floating above, a feeling of weight, or of great warmth. Some people have profound insights. Others have very small experiences or none at all. The experience of walking the labyrinth is different for each person, each time. Whatever you experience, it is your experience. Relax and see what happens.
*My favorite Labyrinth is the Chartres pattern, the original located at Chartres Cathedral in France. This is an 11-circuit pattern in the shape of a cross. I have painted this design on a large piece of canvas, outlined it using masking tape, and built it out of christmas lights for different interactive prayer experiences I have helped set up.
Response Questions:
What was your experience while walking the labyrinth?
1. What did you feel?
2. What were you thinking?
3. What did you pray?
4. What did you learn about yourself and others?
5. Has this experience changed the way you think about prayer? (If so how?)
“I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble. Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life.”
Proverbs 4:11-13
What is a Labyrinth?
The labyrinth is a universal symbol for the world, with its complications and difficulties, which we experience on our journey through life. The entry to the labyrinth is birth; the center is death and eternal life. In Christian terms, the thread that leads us through life is divine grace. Like any pilgrimage, the labyrinth represents the inner pilgrimage we are called to make to take us to the center of our being. Labyrinths are used help achieve a contemplative state. Walking among the turnings, one loses track of direction and of the outside world, and thus quiets her mind. The result is a relaxed mental attitude, which allows us to commune with God on a deeper level. When considering the labyrinth, there are only two choices: walk it, or to not walk it. If walked, it can change one's life.
How do I walk a Labyrinth?
There are as many different ways to walk the labyrinth as there are individuals. When we walk the labyrinth, we discover our sacred inner space. We are attracted to healing tools such as labyrinth because they deepen our self-knowledge and empower our creativity. Walking the labyrinth clears the mind and gives insight into the life journey. It calms those in a state of transition, and helps us to see life in the context of a path. To those who are in sorrow, it gives solace and peace. The journey is different for everyone, as is life, for we each bring different raw material to the labyrinth. We bring our uniqueness, and often depart with a greater sense of oneness and unity.
Step 1:
The labyrinth is a path for prayer and meditation. Collect yourself before you start. Rest along the outside for a while before you start walking.
Step 2:
Walk around the outside once. Think of different people, events, situations, places or things in your life. Get centered.
Step 3:
There are two common ways of walking. The way of silence and the way of image. In choosing the way of silence it might be helpful to focus on your breathing. The way of image might be done by reciting a prayer, scripture, question, or a name for God over and over to yourself. In either case or in some other manner best suited to you, be open to your heart and mind. Pay attention to your thoughts as they rise and then let them go.
The labyrinth is a place of presence; allow yourself to be present to yourself and to God. The labyrinth is a teacher; let it teach you through the mysterious power of God. As you walk the path, thoughts and ideas may rise up for you and in you -- often in refreshing and startling ways.
One way to feel more connected to the experience is to walk barefoot and slowly. There is no need to rush. Some people feel a sense of confusion as they first start, remember there is only one path in and one path out. You will not get lost. For some people running as quickly as possible to the center, resting there, and then running quickly out is a powerful experience.
Experiencing the Labyrinth
People have different experiences walking the labyrinth. As with all practices of prayer or meditation, your experience will grow and deepen the more you do it. There is no "right" experience. Some people feel a sense of peace. Others find old memories rising up as they walk. Others find themselves thinking about an immediate situation or person. Others walk at varying speeds as different thoughts and emotions come and go. Some people experience physical sensations, perhaps become light-headed, or have a feeling of floating above, a feeling of weight, or of great warmth. Some people have profound insights. Others have very small experiences or none at all. The experience of walking the labyrinth is different for each person, each time. Whatever you experience, it is your experience. Relax and see what happens.
*My favorite Labyrinth is the Chartres pattern, the original located at Chartres Cathedral in France. This is an 11-circuit pattern in the shape of a cross. I have painted this design on a large piece of canvas, outlined it using masking tape, and built it out of christmas lights for different interactive prayer experiences I have helped set up.
Response Questions:
What was your experience while walking the labyrinth?
1. What did you feel?
2. What were you thinking?
3. What did you pray?
4. What did you learn about yourself and others?
5. Has this experience changed the way you think about prayer? (If so how?)
Labels: Labyrinth
posted by Kathryn M. | 9:23 AM
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