Labyrinth

To commemorate Christ Presbyterian Church's 40th anniversary a Labyrinth has been created. The paragraphs below describe what a labyrinth is and how a labyrinth is used. The labryinth shown in the drawing below is not the labryinth that was constructed but rather an example to illustrate the concepts.

Labyrinth Dedication 2005

There are many ways to describe a labyrinth. It is a path of prayer, a walking meditation, a crucible of change, a watering hole for the spirit and a mirror of the soul.

The Labyrinth is not a maze. There are no tricks to it and no dead ends. It has a single circuitous path that winds into the center. The person walking it uses the same path to return and the entrance then becomes the exit. Generally, there are three stages to the walk: releasing on the way in, receiving in the center and returning; that is, taking back out into the world that which you have received. There is no right way or wrong way to walk a labyrinth.

The labyrinth as an exercise of spiritual journeying dates back to the Middle Ages when walking labyrinths, like the one in the floor of Chartres Cathedral in France, served as the poor person's holy pilgrimage. Labyrinths have again become very popular and can be found today in many venues: medical centers, parks, churches, prisons and retreat centers.

Guidelines for Walking the Labyrinth

Although the labyrinth path winds, there is only one path so there are no tricks or dead ends. The path can be thought of as a metaphor for life's journey with God. You never quite know how far along it you are but God has offered you a sure path if you trust God's guidance. True to life, your labyrinth walk may touch our sorrows and release our joys. Walk it with a willing spirit.

The three stages of your walk are:

1. Purgation (Releasing) ~ a releasing, letting go of the cares and details of your life. This is the act of shedding thoughts and distractions. A time to open the heart and quiet the mind.

2. Illumination (Receiving) ~ When you reach the center, stay there as long as you like. It is a place of meditation and prayer. Receive what God offers you.

3. Union (Returning) ~ As you follow the same path out of the center as led you in, you enter the stage of joining with God as you return to the world outside the labyrinth. Open yourself to the healing forces at work in God's world. Each time you walk the labyrinth you may discover you are more empowered to find and do the work you feel your soul reaching for.

Before you enter the labyrinth, quiet your mind and become aware of the rhythm of your breathing. Allow yourself to find the pace your body wants to walk. The path is a two-way thoroughfare. Those going in will meet those coming out. You may "pass" people or let others step around you. Do what feels natural and appropriate as you meet fellow journeyers on the way.

Labyrinth at Night During Advent Worship

Labyrinth Ribbon Cutting 2005

The labyrinth can be found by its GPS coordinates as detailed in www.waymarking.com or www.terracaching.com .