What is a Labyrinth?

Based in spiritual and mystical traditions and crossing all cultures, labyrinths have been in existence for over 4500 years. A labyrinth is not a maze, but contains one spiraling path leading to the center and out again.

 

Labyrinths are metaphors for our life path and are used as walking meditations. Walking to the center can symbolize many things, most commonly and metaphorically, one travels to his/her Center, communing with God, and then walks back out into the world with balance and clarity.

 

Because of the work of Rev. Lauren Artress of Grace Cathedral in San Francisco, labyrinths have seen resurgence since the 1990s. Labyrinths are built all over the world in churches, parks, hospitals, schools, prisons, etc. You can find other labyrinths near you or learn more about them by going to http://wwll.veriditas.labyrinthsociety.org/

What does a Labyrinth look like?

This is the classical labyrinth design, based on the Cretan Labyrinth, over 4000 years old. 

Below see the medieval labyrinth, which originated around 1200AD. 

How to Walk a Labyrinth

 As you enter the labyrinth, quiet your mind. You may ask a question of yourself or just be open to a quiet meditation. Go at your own pace. You may pass others on the labyrinth or stop as you walk and let others pass you. The labyrinth is a two-way single path. Those coming out will meet those who are walking toward the center. One person will step out of the way and let the other person pass. Do what feels natural when you meet. The most common stages of the labyrinth walk are:

 

Walking in---Release

At the Center---Receiving

Walking out---Returning

 

It is best and most rewarding to be open to whatever your labyrinth experience might be for you. We look forward to seeing you at our next labyrinth walk.

 

Labyrinth as a Tool for Rehabilitation

During the course of the last two years, Rita and a fellow Spiritual Practitioner, Lynn began a labyrinth project at the California Rehabilitation Center at Norco, CA. They currently travel there once a month to work with the inmates, using the labyrinth as a meditation tool. They are seeking to collaborate with other like-minded individuals who are dissatisfied with the present prison rehabilitation system and would like to be instrumental in becoming a larger voice for change. This change includes the use of tools such as the labyrinth and the arts to bring the inmates a higher awareness of themselves and their place in the world.