St. Paul UCC Prayer Labyrinth

We find in the book of Jeremiah a passage that calls us as people of faith to walk ancient paths. The prophet is reminding an exiled people of a sacred path that they once knew and lost, but could know again. He writes, ““Stand at the crossroads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way lies; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls.” (Jeremiah 61:6) The labyrinth is one of many spiritual tools for finding rest for our souls. Labyrinth educator, Lauren Artress, an Episcopal priest writes of the purpose of labyrinths in the lives of Christians, “The labyrinth is a spiritual tool that has many applications in various settings. It reduces stress, quiets the mind and opens the heart. It is a walking meditation, a path of prayer and a blueprint where psyche meets Spirit.” Thus, a labyrinth is through and through a spiritual path.

In this sense, a labyrinth is a singular path that leads from the outer edge in a circuitous way to the center and then back out again. A labyrinth is meant for you to find yourself in a deeply spiritual sense. It orders chaos. Labyrinths are not the same thing as a maze. A maze is a puzzle meant to confuse you. The labyrinth is a spiritual tool with one path into the center and back out the same path into the world. It is often said that a maze is “meant for you to lose your way and a labyrinth is meant for you to find your way.” As followers of Christ walking this sacred path of prayer we release our worries, fears, and burdens, we receive God’s presence, peace, and guidance for our life journey, and we return out to the world a changed and transformed person. Many will find that they enter this sacred walk with burdens that they can release in the center with Christ and that they walk out feeling lighter, free, and in tune with the path God has for their lives.

A prayer labyrinth is a labyrinth used to facilitate prayer, meditation, spiritual transformation, and/or global unity. The most famous prayer labyrinths today include an ancient one in the cathedral of Chartres, France, another in the cathedral of Duomo di Siena, Tuscany; and two maintained by Grace Cathedral, an Episcopal church in San Francisco. While prayer labyrinths have been used in Catholic cathedrals for centuries, the past decade has seen resurgence in their popularity,

For centuries Christians have utilized different practices by which to engage in prayer, meditation, discernment, and service. One of the most ancient practices has been that of walking prayer. The ancient Christians used the practice of pilgrimage to and from Jerusalem as a symbol of their spiritual path with Jesus Christ. As Christianity spread all around the Mediterranean basin and eventually around the world, pilgrimage to Jerusalem was not always possible and so Christians began using the natural pattern of labyrinths as a spiritual practice by which to engage in walking prayer. From that first walk from Jerusalem on the road to Emmaus Christians have believed that our spiritual struggles are solved “by walking” as St. Augustine once said. It is by walking with Christ both literally and spiritually that we find our identity as Christians.

People of faith all over the world are longing for spiritual transformation, wisdom, identity and a path to walk. The labyrinth has once again made its beautiful path available to us as churches and hospitals and parks have begun making labyrinths available to give people the sacred space to encounter the Holy and to pray. We in the United Church of Christ seek to offer those in our churches and wider community a sacred space for walking prayer.

Labyrinths have been used by a wide variety of cultures for at least 3,500 years. Evidence of ancient labyrinths exists in Crete, Egypt, Italy, Scandinavia, and North America. Ancient labyrinths had what is usually called the “classical” design of seven rings, or circuits. They were decidedly pagan in function: many labyrinths were dedicated to a goddess and used in ritualistic dances. The Hopi Indians saw the labyrinth as a symbol of Mother Earth, and the hundreds of stone labyrinths along the Scandinavian shoreline were used as magic traps for trolls and evil winds to ensure safe fishing.

In the Middle Ages, the Catholic Church adapted the labyrinth for its own purposes within its cathedrals. The classical form gave way to a more intricate design of 11 circuits in 4 quadrants, usually called the “medieval” design. Within Catholicism, the labyrinth could symbolize several things: the hard and winding road to God, a mystical ascension to salvation and enlightenment, or even a pilgrimage to Jerusalem for those who could not make the actual journey.

Many people today, both in the religious community and the medical community, are noting that walking a labyrinth has calming benefits to both the mind and the body. They are showing up as a meditative practice and are being located in parks, hospitals, beaches, and schools. But prayer labyrinths are not new at all. They have their roots in the ancient practice of pilgrimage, the once-in-a-lifetime journey that early Christians would seek to make to walk where Jesus walked.

Stand at the crossroads and look;

ask for the ancient paths,

ask where the good way is, and walk in it,

and you will find rest for your souls. - Jeremiah 6:16

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Walking the labyrinth involves our right brains and invites our intuitive and symbolic minds to come forth.

To begin, walk directly to the center and ask God that the labyrinth become a sacred space. Invite the Holy Spirit to be present in the labyrinth.

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Walking the labyrinth is a sacred journey of ​body prayer.​ It is a metaphor for life’s journey. One can think of walking the labyrinth in three stages: the journey inward, being at the center with God, and the journey outward. The journey is to be taken at your own pace, and the journey inward and the journey outward are the same path.

Much like a pilgrim leaving behind the things of the world to travel on pilgrimage freely and lightly, we begin the intentional journey of the labyrinth letting go of the things that clutter our lives and hearts. What’s hindering our attachment to God?

Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion?

Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life.

I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me -- watch how I do it.

Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.

I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you.

Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.

Matthew 11:28-30 (MSG)

Return to the e​ntrance of the labyrinth, ​taking a moment to pause. This will allow you to catch up with yourself and prepare for the journey. Notice how you are feeling and where you are feeling that in your body.

The journey to the center i​s an opportunity to let go of things we attempt to control, release burdens, identify fears, identify hurts, and confess sins. Each step we take is an opportunity to let go of what’s hindering our relationship with God.

The center of the labyrinth​, often shaped like a flower, is a place to rest in God and enjoy His loving embrace. Allow yourself to bask in the blossom and fragrance of His love. It’s a place for meditation and prayer. Linger as long as you wish in the center and enjoy being with God.

Begin the o​utward journey ​w​hen you are ready to reenter the world. Allow the Holy Spirit to strengthen, ground, and empower you as you serve as God's hands and feet, carrying His presence and gifts to the world. Allow God to prepare you to be light to the world.

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Some questions for deeper reflection:

● How is this pilgrimage a metaphor

for your own spiritual journey?

● Savor the graces and reflect on this

experience. Journal or sketch about it.

Spend with God in prayer. What’s coming

up for you? Do you feel God inviting you to

continue the conversation or go deeper

into prayer about a particular topic?

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● What does it mean to be a pilgrim in your daily life?

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● How does the labyrinth prayer journey inspire your imagination? Even, possibly, you're creating ​with G​od?

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● How might you be on pilgrimage as you walk in daily life? (Being a pilgrim​ is a different posture than being a t​ourist. ​A pilgrim participates. ​A​ t​ourist o​bserves.)​