Labyrinth

The Labyrinth Ministry At Harmony Grove  

 A Ministry of Harmony Grove  

United Methodist Church

http://www.ministrymatters.com/all/blog/entry/4133/my-labyrinth-journey#axzz2b66M7em

  The labyrinth is a spiritual tool that … reduces stress, quiets the mind, and opens the heart.”  “It is a path of prayer, a walking meditation, a crucible for change, a watering hole for the spirit and a mirror for the soul.”  -  The Rev. Dr. Lauren Artress, Author, Walking a Sacred Path

  Walking the Labyrinth 

·         The labyrinth is a pattern:  usually a large circle, with a single winding, circuitous path that you walk to the center, and then walk the same path back out.  It is an ancient tool for prayer, reflection, contemplation, meditation, problem solving, personal growth, celebration, and fun.  Often a labyrinth walk is seen as a metaphor, or a symbol, for the journey of life.  A labyrinth is not a maze.  A labyrinth has only one well-defined path with no dead ends or tricks.  You can’t get lost in a labyrinth!

··         There is no right way or wrong way to walk a labyrinth; there are no “rules” to follow and nothing you “need to know.”  Very little preparation is needed for walking a labyrinth.  Just gather your thoughts before you walk in.  Take a moment to take a few deep breaths to center yourself, and begin walking.  

 ·         The first time you walk a labyrinth you might just want to walk the pattern to enjoy the walk and become familiar with the labyrinth.  On your walk in, just  relax, let go, and allow your mind to calm.  At the center spend as long as you want in prayer, reflection, meditation, contemplation, or just in quiet time.  On the walk out, allow yourself to continue to deepen your labyrinth experience and bring your experience with you to the “outside” environment.  

·         Different people experience the labyrinth in different ways.  The same person will experience the labyrinth differently on different days and at different times.  Sometimes your expectations can actually get in the way of your labyrinth experience.  Suspend your expectations and just enjoy the walk!

·         It is quite possible that several people will be walking the labyrinth at the same time.  This is OK.  Walk at your own pace.  It is OK to meet others, pass others, or be passed by others.  Spend as long at the center as you wish, unless the center is crowded.

 Harmony Grove’s Labyrinth Ministry

 Harmony Grove’s labyrinths are available for use:

·         By individuals as tools for enhancing prayer, meditation, and personal growth.

·         In worship and on special occasions.

·         By small groups and classes within the church.

·         By individuals and groups from the community interested in spiritual growth and development.

Labyrinth events at Harmony Grove range from simply making the labyrinth available for open walks to labyrinth walks or events designed around special topics, special events, or special days.  Additionally, labyrinth classes, workshops, and retreats are offered on an occasional basis.

The Labyrinths at Harmony Grove

Harmony Grove's indoor labyrinth is a seven-circuit Santa Rosa Labyrinth.  ("Seven-circuit" means the labyrinth path winds around the center seven times.)  This modified medieval design was created by Dr. Lea Goode-Harris.  The design is approximately 21 feet in diameter. It is hand drawn and hand painted on canvas, making it highly portable.  The labyrinth is large enough for walkers to have a meaningful labyrinth experience, yet small enough to be used in many areas too small for the larger canvas labyrinths.  It is available in the Chapel (Room A-112) during Advent, Lent, and for other special occasions.  Call the church office for availability

Harmony Grove's outdoor labyrinth is a modified seven-circuit concentric classical design. In the classical designs, the path winds around the center in broad, nearly full-circle sweeps, rather than switching back and forth like the path of Harmony Grove's indoor canvasSanta Rosalabyrinth.  Harmony Grove's outdoor labyrinth is 34 feet in diameter with lines of memorial bricks and a path of crushed slate.  It was dedicated on March 22, 2009, and is available to the community at all times.  It is located on the south side of the sanctuary.

Additional Labyrinth Resources

 The Labyrinth Society:  www.labyrinthsociety.org 

The Worldwide Labyrinth Locator:  www.labyrinthlocator.org 

Walking a Sacred Path: Rediscovering the Labyrinth as a Spiritual Tool, written by the Rev. Dr. Lauren Artress in 1995, revised in 2006 

Website of the Rev. Dr. Artress: www.veriditas.net

Frequently Asked Questions about the Labyrinth

 1.         What is a labyrinth? 

The labyrinth is a pattern:  usually a large circle, with a single winding, circuitous path that you walk to the center, and then walk the same path back out.  It is a tool for reflection, contemplation, meditation, prayer, celebration, fun, problem solving, and personal growth.  Often it is seen as a metaphor, or a symbol, for the journey of life.

2.         How is a labyrinth different from a maze?

 A labyrinth has only one well-defined path with no dead ends.  You can’t get lost in a labyrinth.  If you get confused while walking a labyrinth, you will either end up at the center or at the entrance.  A maze has multiple paths, with many dead ends and tricks designed to lose you and confuse you.

3.         What do I need to know before I walk a labyrinth?

 Nothing!  There is no right way or wrong way to walk a labyrinth.  The only decision you have to make is whether or not to walk.

4.         How do I prepare for walking a labyrinth?

 Very little preparation is needed for walking a labyrinth.  Just gather your thoughts before you walk in.  Take a moment to take a few deep breaths to center yourself, and begin walking.

5.         Why am I asked to remove my shoes before walking a canvas labyrinth?

 The canvas surface of the labyrinth is very easily soiled and damaged by dirt and other materials often found on the soles of shoes.  Socks are provided for those who do not want to walk barefoot.  If there are physical or medical reasons why you can not remove your shoes, please discuss this with the labyrinth facilitator.  

6.         Will other people be walking the labyrinth at the same time I am walking? 

It is quite possible that several people will be walking the labyrinth at the same time.  This is OK.  Walk at your own pace.  It is OK to meet others, pass others, or be passed by others.  Spend as long at the center as you wish, unless the center is crowded.

 7.         Are there suggestions for a first labyrinth walk? 

The first time you walk a labyrinth you might just want to walk the pattern to enjoy the walk and become familiar with the pattern.  On your walk in, just relax, let go, and let your mind calm.  At the center spend as long as you want in reflection, meditation, contemplation, prayer, or just in quiet time.  On the walk out, allow yourself to continue and deepen your labyrinth experience and bring your experience with you to the “outside” environment.  For other suggestions for subsequent labyrinth walks, see the handout, “Walking the Labyrinth.”  

8.         What should I expect from a labyrinth walk? 

 Nothing!  Different people experience the labyrinth in different ways.  The same person will experience the labyrinth differently at different times.  Sometimes your expectations can actually get in the way of your labyrinth experience.  Suspend your expectations and just enjoy the walk!

9.         What do I do when I finish my labyrinth walk? 

Many people like to sit beside the labyrinth for a few minutes to “process” their labyrinth walk and their labyrinth experience.  Others like to walk around the outside of the labyrinth to let the experience “settle.”  Also, we encourage people to journal following their labyrinth walk.  For your convenience, a “Reflections Journal” might be provided for you to write, draw, or doodle your thoughts, insights, and impressions following your walk.  You might want to repeat your journaling a few days following your walk.  Journaling is a way to reflect on your experiences and a way to construct meaning visually. 

 10.       Are there other ways I can experience the labyrinth?

 There are many ways to experience a labyrinth other than walking it.  Some suggestions are finding a spot on the labyrinth to sit, kneel, or stand; sitting and “gazing” at the labyrinth; walking around the outside of the labyrinth; sitting or standing and watching others as they walk; and “finger walking” a paper or wooden labyrinth.

11.       How do I find a labyrinth near where I live or near where I am traveling?

 The World-wide Labyrinth Locator (WWLL) has cataloged more than 4,500 labyrinths located in more than 70 countries.   The WWLL is the result of collaboration between The Labyrinth Society, Inc., and Veriditas, Inc.  The homepage of The Labyrinth Society (http://www.labyrinthsociety.org) has a link to the WWLL. The WWLL also can be accessed directly at http://www.labyrinthlocator.org. In the “Locate a Labyrinth” box, enter information relevant to your search (city, state, country, search radius, etc.) and click “search.”  Although the WWLL is comprehensive and grows daily, it is not an exhaustive listing of labyrinths around the world.  Only labyrinths about which information has specifically been uploaded to the WWLL are included.

12.       What do I do now?

 Just stay on the path!

John W. Rhodes, Ph.D.

Veriditas-Certified Labyrinth Facilitator

jorhodes@mindspring.com