The Labyrinth -- A Metaphor for Life

Labyrinths have been around for thousands of years and can be found today in churches, parks, hospitals, and on private land.  Unlike mazes that have many paths and dead ends, labyrinths have only one way in and one way out.  They are most often circular but come in other geometric shapes as well.   With a circuitous path, it leads you to its center.  Twists and turns that seem to take you away from your desired destination make you feel as though you might be going the wrong direction.  Yet if you keep your faith and keep walking, placing one foot in front of the other, you will reach the center.   The labyrinth is a metaphor for the journey of life and has been used for centuries as a tool for prayer, meditation, problem solving, celebration and just plain fun!

On a recent trip to the Atlanta area over the Christmas Holiday, my boyfriend and I used the website, labyrinthlocator.com to find labyrinths that were within 25 miles of our location.  We chose two in the town of Lilburn, GA that were outside and available to the public.  Both were on church grounds.

One of them, Harmony Grove United Methodist Church, had brochures available that provided a simple and beautiful explanation of how to walk a labyrinth.  Here are some excerpts:

·      There is no right way or wrong way to walk a labyrinth; there are no “rules” to follow and nothing you need to know.”  Very little preparation is needed for walking a labyrinth.  Just gather your thoughts before you walk in.  Take a moment to take a few deep breaths to center yourself, and begin walking.

·      The first time you walk a labyrinth you might want to walk the pattern to enjoy the walk and become familiar with the labyrinth.  On your walk in, just relax, let go, and allow your mind to calm.  At the center spend as long as you want in prayer, reflection, meditation, contemplation, or just in quiet time.  On the walk out, allow yourself to continue to deepen your labyrinth experience and bring your experience with you to the “outside” environment.

·      Different people experience the labyrinth in different ways.  The same person will experience the labyrinth differently on different days at different times.  Sometimes your expectations can actually get in the way of your labyrinth experience.  Suspend your expectations and just enjoy the walk!

“The labyrinth is a spiritual tool that … reduces stress, quiets the mind, and opens the heart.  It is a path of prayer, a walking meditation, a crucible for change, a watering hole for the spirit and a mirror for the soul.” – The Rev. Dr. Lauren Artress, Author, Walking a Sacred Path

Find a labyrinth near you or in the vicinity of a city you will be visiting at labyrinthlocator.com and enjoy!