Parkview United Church of Christ has a structurally marked labyrinth, located in the North lawn of the church grounds.
You might ask, what is a labyrinth?
A labyrinth is an ancient symbol that relates to wholeness. It combines the imagery of the circle and the spiral into a meandering but purposeful path. The Labyrinth represents a journey to our own center and back again out into the world. Labyrinths have long been used as meditation and prayer tools.
How to Walk the Labyrinth
There is no wrong way to walk a labyrinth. In fact, walking is not even required. Walk sit, watch, skip, dance, pray or simply be in the presence of the Divine. Some people experience profound joy, others become tearful. Some seek answers to an issue or problem; others find comfort from grief or relief from stress.
One widely used process involves three phases:
The “journey in” phase can be a shedding of distractions, releasing your thoughts. The center may be a place to receive or be with God. Stay as long as you like. The “journey out” is a transition, a gradual return to daily life, back out the same pathway while integrating any wisdom gained.
Walk with an open mind and an open heart. You may choose to walk with a prayer, a concern or a problem you wish to lift up o focus on. You may wish to pause as you enter or exit, or walk around the perimeter to prepare or reflect. Move at your own pace. It is important to remember that your labyrinth walk is as individual as you are. If you do not feel compelled to follow the 3-phrase walk, you needn’t do so. You may walk directly in to the center or out across the path lines. The only “rules” involve respect for the labyrinth and respect for others with whom you are sharing the path.
You might ask, what is a labyrinth?
A labyrinth is an ancient symbol that relates to wholeness. It combines the imagery of the circle and the spiral into a meandering but purposeful path. The Labyrinth represents a journey to our own center and back again out into the world. Labyrinths have long been used as meditation and prayer tools.
How to Walk the Labyrinth
There is no wrong way to walk a labyrinth. In fact, walking is not even required. Walk sit, watch, skip, dance, pray or simply be in the presence of the Divine. Some people experience profound joy, others become tearful. Some seek answers to an issue or problem; others find comfort from grief or relief from stress.
One widely used process involves three phases:
- Journey in – following the path to the center,
- Being in the center, and,
- Journey out – retracing the same path out.
The “journey in” phase can be a shedding of distractions, releasing your thoughts. The center may be a place to receive or be with God. Stay as long as you like. The “journey out” is a transition, a gradual return to daily life, back out the same pathway while integrating any wisdom gained.
Walk with an open mind and an open heart. You may choose to walk with a prayer, a concern or a problem you wish to lift up o focus on. You may wish to pause as you enter or exit, or walk around the perimeter to prepare or reflect. Move at your own pace. It is important to remember that your labyrinth walk is as individual as you are. If you do not feel compelled to follow the 3-phrase walk, you needn’t do so. You may walk directly in to the center or out across the path lines. The only “rules” involve respect for the labyrinth and respect for others with whom you are sharing the path.
