A Labyrinth

Labyrinths originated eons ago, and yet they still exist in our modern world today, which I think proves that some things are timeless and applicable to every age. 

Labyrinths, thankfully, have not been commercialized. You will not find a neon light publicizing its location. Rather, labyrinths are off the beaten path, a little secluded, and set apart from most everything else. And so far, no fee is required. 

Though I know some people have stumbled upon a labyrinth, I’ve  actually searched for them on the world wide labyrinth finder. Yes, there is such a thing.

 There are a variety of labyrinth patterns; anywhere from 3, 11, to fifteen circuits. The pathway can be made of grass, gravel, dirt, stone or even canvas. They can be inside a church, outside in a public park, in the woods or behind college campus. 

I’ve walked one painted on canvas, one inside a church, a stone pathway in a public park, a grassy one behind a church as well as a gravel path behind another church. 

Walking The Path

When I walk the path in a labyrinth, it is similar to the path I walk in life with lots of twists and turns, narrow and restricted places as well as wide open and spacious spaces.

 The very first time I walked a labyrinth, I felt the need to concentrate on the path. I worried that I’d not do it “right.” Now though, after lots of practice, I’m confident that all I have to do is follow the path and I will end where I belong; in the center. 

Every time I step onto the path of a labyrinth, I remember why I come. A labyrinth’s purpose is to give us space for personal reflection. Walking a labyrinth does not necessarily solve any personal dilemmas, or produces any profound insights. Rather, walking a labyrinth slows us down, giving us time to breathe with ease. While walking the path we have the chance to practice staying right in that particular moment feeling the goodness of that particular moment. 

The path of all labyrinths lead to a center therefore, reminding me of the anatomy of our inner ear. If we look at a picture of how our ear is designed, we get the idea of how a labyrinth is designed. There is a beginning with a circular pathway that leads to the center. At the center of our ear, where the eardrum is located, we make sense of the sounds we hear. 

Likewise, the center of the labyrinth is where we can pause, consider, notice and perhaps even make sense of what our center, our heart, might be saying to us.  

Why Bother?

Why bother walking a labyrinth? Locate a labyrinth and make it a point to walk it as often as you can. After a few times you just might discover the reflective space you’ve been looking for.