What is a Labyrinth?
A labyrinth is a pattern with a purpose, an ancient tool that speaks to a long forgotten part of us. Lying dormant for centuries, labyrinths are undergoing a revival of use and interest. They offer a chance to take "time out" from our busy lives, to leave schedules and stress behind. Walking a labyrinth is a gift we give to ourselves that leads up past our intellect to a deeper place within. Among the results some people have reported from walking labyrinths are insight and creative ideas, relaxation and stress release, happiness (and sometimes tears), connectedness, balance and well-being.
The Reverend Patrick Price blessing our Labyrinth
Our New Labyrinth
After many months of planning, we now have our labyrinth. Please seek it out and try it out. It’s located to the east of the church and community garden, under our magnificent pecan tree beside the pond. We think we’ve found a very special use for an idyllic setting. Walking the labyrinth offers you a rare chance to meditate, think or just relax. See “As a Rule” to learn what it can do for you and how to use it.
The present configuration is temporary. The long-term plan includes low maintenance plants and probably some seating in the center. It is sized for wheelchairs. We hope it will become a resource for the community. We had a jubilant dedication ceremony on Sunday, June 22., 2008.
If someone is walking the labyrinth, we ask that you be sensitive to the need for privacy and quiet.
As a Rule Now We Can Walk the Walk
Ian Rule (From the July 2008 Community News)
A labyrinth walk can be a revelation. The controlled direction and relaxed pace allow many people to spend some welcome contemplative time. And now we have our own. When I first joined Community Church, we had a splendid canvas labyrinth that almost completely filled Founders Hall. But setting it up, lighting a multitude of candles, tending it throughout the regularly scheduled evening, and packing it up at the end, was hard labor, especially if nobody came. I found my labyrinth walk to be profound and renewing, but understood completely when it disappeared from the calendar. That’s why a permanent labyrinth is such an exciting addition: it’s available to anyone at any time.
Labyrinths have been around for 5,000 years and have served many purposes. Ours is meditative/thoughtful/spiritual. Here are a few pointers gleaned from experience as well as pirated from a plethora of sources:
“Times will vary (30-45 minutes). Maintain a relaxed pace and allow adequate time for meditation/relaxation while at the center. Each movement entering and departing should be controlled, focused, and done in silence. Allow your other senses (sight, hearing, smell, touch) to be heightened throughout each stage of the exercise. At the conclusion of the walk of the labyrinth, you should experience a sense of being centered and conscious of a clear and relaxed mental state.”
Too bossy for you? It’s from a Karate Master. Try this:
“Each person’s walk is a personal experience. How one walks and what one receives differs with each walk. Some people use the walk for clearing the mind and centering. Others enter with a question or concern. The time in the center can be used for receiving, reflecting, meditating, or praying, as well as discovering our own sacred inner space. What each person receives can be integrated on the walk out. Your walk can be a healing and sometimes very profound experience or it can be just a pleasant walk. Each time is different.”
I think you get the idea. Consider experiencing it yourself. We owe the Labyrinth
Committee a (gentle) huzzah! for their vision and persistence. Our labyrinth is another wonderful asset. It’s a rewarding time to be at Community Church.
For more information, e-mail Activities.
