What is a Labyrinth?
By Rev. Dr. Jane Florence
A labyrinth is an ancient prayer path of transformation. Following its path you are taken deep within to the center of your being to unite with the Divine and return via the path to live transformed. The path is the way. Labyrinths are found all over the world, embedded in cathedral floors, in gardens, retreat centers and church lawns. Lap labyrinths are printed on fabrics; labyrinth arts of all types can also be used as a prayer path. You can ‘walk’ the labyrinth by tracing your finger along the path.
The turns of the labyrinth are thought to balance the two hemispheres of the brain, resulting in physical and emotional healing. As reaching the center is assured, walking the labyrinth is more about the journey than the destination, about being rather than doing, integrating body and mind, psyche and spirit into one harmonious whole. The labyrinth meets each person where they are and helps them to take the next step on their spiritual path.
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Thus sayeth the Lord, said Isaiah,
“and when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left,
your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘this is the way, walk in it.’” (30:21)
I am intrigued by this path before me, but I’m not sure.
I don’t know where exactly it will take me or when I will get wherever it goes.
It does not appear to be a direct route, and I’m sure it’s not the shortest option.
I prefer my google map that takes me where I decide and shows me what time I will arrive.
The blue dot is easy to follow, and there is a voice from the speaker that signals the turns.
Still, I am intrigued by this ancient path spiraling before me.
I think of all the feet - millions of pilgrims - that have stepped upon her in eons past.
Dare I place my feet where they trod and hear the voice they heard?
The voice that was not “recalculating” from their bluetooth speakers,
but the still small voice within, behind, above, beside
whispering, “This is the way, walk in it.”
Divine One, perhaps you have brought me here
to walk this sacred path, to follow the path,
realizing I am not forging a way on my own,
trusting you are with me.
Divine One, perhaps you have brought me here
to step out of some old ways, to follow a new path
realizing I have out grown the smallness of my past,
trusting you are with me.
Divine One, perhaps you have brought me here
to find community on this sacred path
realizing I am not here alone
to know that we are walking together.
we are listening together
we are trusting together and
we are hearing together
“this is the way, walk in it.”
May we have the courage. May it be so.
