A labyrinth is a geometrical walking path. It is not a maze or a puzzle that has to be solved with many dead ends and false leads. There is nothing to figure out. It has only one path that leads from the outer edge in a circuitous way to the center. You simply follow the path to the center and then retrace the same path back out. The path winds back and forth, but there is no intended confusion. Labyrinths are tools for personal, psychological, and spiritual transformation. They evoke metaphor, sacred geometry, spiritual pilgrimage, mindfulness, environmental art, and community building.

A Labyrinth is used symbolically, as a walking meditation or a choreographed dance. Labyrinths date back thousands of years and are an ancient practice used by many different faith traditions and cultures including ancient Greek and Hopi Indians of North America. Labyrinths are not considered a part of any one particular religion or culture: simply a gift to all humans. They are installed in hospitals, universities, public parks, as well as places of worship to assist people in coming to greater peace.

Each labyrinth walk is a unique experience to be received as a gift. People walk labyrinths for many reasons including to relax, to slow down and take time out from a busy life, to find strength to take the next step, to meditate, to build community, to practice mindfulness, for help in times of grief, loss, or transition. Some come with questions, others just for fun. It can be used as a tool to “unwind the mind,” and to let go of stress or worries. Labyrinths foster contemplativeness, active meditation, and even spiritual transformation.

Those that are researching the benefits of walking a labyrinth have used the phrase the "Labyrinth Effect": “It appears that walking or otherwise interacting with the labyrinth might enable a set of physical responses (increased calm, quiet, and relaxation; decreased agitation, anxiety, and stress) that allows for the emergence of a set of "state of mind" responses (increased levels of centeredness, clarity, openness, peace, and reflection). In turn, these "state of mind" responses might increase one's receptivity to flashes of intuition, hunches, nudges from one's "inner voice," and other types of insight regarding one's problems, issues or concerns.”

On the Threshold: As you enter this space, we ask you to give and receive the gift of silence. So often in this world, it is hard to hear that which is most important. At the entrance, take a deep breath and quiet your mind. You may want to bring to mind something to contemplate during your walk. “One step at a time.” “Every journey begins with a step.” A particular question. What you focus on may be determined by where you are in your life: your questions, concerns, joys. Some people think about a particular loved one or situation.

The Way In: A Time of Release. A time of letting go. Enter the labyrinth slowly. Open your senses and focus on the process of taking slow and deliberate steps. As much as you are able, try to walk the labyrinth with an open heart and an open mind, releasing whatever clutters your mind or any burdens you carry. As you make your way toward the center, allow your thoughts to fall away. Be open for new awareness, new awakenings, and new beginnings to emerge.

The Center: A time to Receive. Open your heart to receive the gifts of the Labyrinth. A new strength, perspective, hope, peace, answer. When you are in the center, take the time you need to leave what you need to leave and to receive what you need to receive.

Journeying Out: A time to integrate. Move from the center, following the path back out the way you came in. Take your time. Notice if you are feeling more peaceful or if you have received some new understanding. Listen for metaphors. This is a time of integrating whatever you received as you return to your daily life.

Walking the Labyrinth as a Group:

This labyrinth is designed for 4-5 people to be walking at a time. Others can stand in the witnessing circle until a space opens up. Labyrinth paths are always narrow and designed for 1 person. As with life, occasionally you will need to step aside for others and then return to the path. If you are walking more quickly than the person in front of you, just gently pass. As you observe someone entering the center, please stop walking, and face the center as a way to honor their journey. If you are someone who prays, then offer a silent prayer for this fellow traveler and for their journey. When they step out of the center, you may begin walking again. When you are in the center, receive the silent support of others for you. If you would like to stay in the center for a while, stand to the side in the center ring so others know to continue their journey. This labyrinth is designed for 4-5 people in the center. There is no rush.

Here are some of the metaphors often appreciated in walking a labyrinth. As people walk labyrinths, the metaphors continue to come to life. This gives us hope and understanding for our own life journey.

*When we embark on a journey, we don’t always know what the path will look like; the twists and the turns.

*Right when we think we are getting to the center, we often come to understand that we are not there yet.

*When we think that we are far from the center, in just a few more steps, we may be entering the center.

*Because we know that the path will eventually lead us to the center, we can relax and trust as we walk the path.

*We will pass people going in opposite directions from us, but we will end up in the middle together.

*It can seem like we are not on the same path as others, but we are on different parts of the same path.

*We all walk one step as a time.

*If we look around when walking, we can see the bigger picture, but may not see our current place.

*If we focus on our current place, we may lose sight of the larger picture.

*Sometimes other people can help orient us.

*Sometimes other people can add to our disorientation.

*Black and white are beautiful together.

Please contact us with any metaphor you would like to share with us. We will occasionally be adding to this list.

We would love to host your group in a labyrinth walk. Walking a labyrinth can be a wonderful activity for youth groups of all faiths, scout groups, support groups, work groups, family reunions, etc. We would gladly lead your group in a labyrinth walk with a little bit of instruction at the beginning and some debrief at the end.

If you would like to bring a larger group to walk the labyrinth during daylight or in the dark, we ask that you contact us to schedule a time. For group labyrinth walks, we are able to provide seating as needed. We also have parking instructions to be sensitive to our wonderful neighborhood.