Praying with the Labyrinth

One of the most valued of Christian practices is that of prayer.  Whether it be formal or spontaneous prayer, all of us turn to prayer as a way to communicate with God.   The Labryrinth has a rich history; it Christian history as walking prayer/meditation dates back as far as 324 AD.  It is usually an enclosed circle, consisting of a single continuous path from an entry point to a central point that twists, turns and folds back on itself, making the longest possible distance between two points.  It is not a maze.  There are no deadends.  It is meant to be walked easily as it is a clearly marked path meant to both calm and focus the mind.

Labyrinths are found all over the world.  The most famous Christian one is at the beautiful Catholic Cathedral in Chartres, France.  This dates back to 1201. It was used during the Medieval Ages as a part of one's pilgrimage, since a journey to Jerusalem was unsafe.  At that time, walking the Labyrinth was known as "the walk to Jerusalem."  Chartres' 11 circuit labyrinth is the one upon which the newly built labyrinth in Bowling Green, Kentucky at Holy Spirit is based. There is a renowned interest in the labyrinth as another form of prayer and mediation.  It makes us mor mindful of how rich prayer life can be. 





When you reach the center, it's like you've come home.  Take the time to reflect on your life within each leaf; standing or sitting in the center feels grounded.  And when renewed, the return to the outside follows the exact path followed to reach the center.  It is all one, just as we are one with one another and with God and God's universe.  I don't know how much my clan got out of this walk on the labyrinth; Aunt Charlcie walked over the lines when she got tired, Jim didn't make it to the Center, and Robin and I were just watching Jim and Charlcie.  We did have a fun time though!

World Labyrinth Day is May 5th; people of all faiths will walk their local labyrinth at 1 p.m. while praying for peace.  For a solid 24 hours, somewhere in the world, someone will be walking the labyrinth. Imagine!