Labyrinth Walking - An ancient practice that still draws people ever closer to God A prayer labyrinth is a circular path designed using sacred geometry inspired by nature. Many cultures and traditions, some dating back 4,000 years, have used labyrinth walking as a prayer or meditation practice. In the Middle Ages, Christians embraced labyrinth walking as an accessible substitute to the often prohibitively expensive and dangerous pilgrimages to the Holy Land to retrace the footsteps of Jesus. Prayer labyrinths were installed in the floors of large cathedrals across Europe. The most famous of these large cathedral labyrinths can be found in Chartres, France. Today, we use labyrinth walking as a way to step away from the stress and pressure of our daily lives to intentionally focus on drawing closer to God. Labyrinths are nothing like mazes, which are intended to confuse and frustrate with their blind alleys, culdesacs and dead ends. To the contrary, walking a labyrinth is a straightforward experience, its entire path is always visible as it unerringly guides you from the outer edge to the center, and back again to the outer edge. It requires no thinking so you can more easily quiet your mind and enter into a reflective, prayerful inner-place. Some view labyrinths as symbolic of the ups and downs of our spiritual lives, each twist and turn moving us closer to, or further away from, God (the center of our being as represented by the center of the labyrinth). Others also see in, the twists and turns of the labyrinth, the changes of direction, transition, uncertainty, discovery and achievement that mark our earthly lives as we age and mature. There are no right or wrong ways to walk a labyrinth save to do so in silence while maintaining a respectful attitude towards others who may be using the labyrinth at the same time. Turn-off your cell phone and remove your watch. Allow yourself to find the most natural pace for your body but keep in mind that the same path that draws people into the labyrinth is also the same path that transports them out, so you may have to pass people or let others step around you. The labyrinth walk has three stages: Purgation (Releasing) - As you leisurely make your way to the center, this is a time to open your heart and quiet your mind as you let go of the details of your life and other distracting thoughts. Illumination (Receiving) - When you reach the center, stay there as long as you like. This is a place of meditation and prayer where you experience, learn or receive what is being offered. Union (Returning) - As you make your way from the center, following the same path by which you entered, review and consider what occurred in the center and how it applies to your life. As you emerge from the labyrinth, you begin to re-engage with the world and carry your illumination into your daily life. Seasoned labyrinth walkers caution that it is best not to expect any particular outcome from your walks. Its true that some people report feeling filled with peace or sensing that their stress has fallen away while others state that theyve had a revelation or gained new insights, but keep in mind that it may take a few days before you notice any changes. In other words, this is your personal walk and your experiences and outcomes will be very individual. Many community organizations, churches and retreat centers make labyrinth walks available to the public for prayer, meditation, contemplation or personal growth. (At the end of this article is some information on labyrinths near Carrier Mills.) Tony Jones, author of Soul Shaper, offers the following faith-filled suggestions on ways to use the labyrinth. All should be done in silence. 1. Ask God a question upon entering and then listen for an answer. (For example: Ask God what he wants to tell you and listen for an answer.) 2. Pray for yourself on the way in, stop to experience God’s love in the center, and pray for others on the way out (or vice versa). 3. Recite the Lord’s Prayer or a familiar scripture as you walk. Repeat throughout your walk. 4. As you move toward the center of the labyrinth, focus on letting go of distractions or worries that keep you from God. In the center, spend time reflecting on your relationship with God. Be aware of God’s presence. Then, as you leave spend time giving thanks and praising God for all that he has done. 5. As you move toward the center of the labyrinth, focus on letting go of distractions or worries that keep you from God. In the center, spend time reflecting on your relationship with God. Be aware of God’s presence. Then, you will sense the need to move out into the world again. As you leave, walk with Jesus back into the places of ordinary life. (If your health or the weather keeps you indoors, download the attached finger labyrinth and follow the directions for its use.) Labyrinths located near Carrier Mills CARBONDALE LABYRINTH 913 S. Illinois Ave Carbondale, IL 62901 The labyrinth is 37, painted on cement and was inspired by the Chartres labyrinth. It is located just north of the Interfaith Center (corner of S. Illinois and Grand Avenue.) For information: Hugh Muldoon (618)549-7387 Open 24/7 CAMP MANITOWA - NATURAL WOODS SETTING 12770 N. Benton Rd Benton, Illinois 62812 Medieval 5-circuit, 35 foot diameter Chartres-style labyrinth with a 12 foot diameter center. This labyrinth is unique in its incorporation of the surrounding woods as part of its structure. This labyrinth is situated in a retreat center and summer camp facility, so the owners need notice if visitors want to walk it, camp on the tent sites next to it, or hold a ceremony in it. The labyrinth can be found at the intersection of three paths behind the boys yurt village. One path begins off the camps 50-ft high ropes course. For Information: Dan Grabel Phone: 314-375-6766 Fax: 314-685-2368 Email: dan@campmanitowa https://campmanitowa/labyrinth.html Call for availability. PRIVATE GARDEN OR PROPERTY - ROCK/GARDEN LABYRINTH 417 N. Granger St. Harrisburg, Illinois 62946 For Information: Larry Henk Phone: 618-252-7408 Call for availability. ST. JOSEPH MEMORIAL HOSPITAL 2 S Hospital Dr Murphysboro, Illinois 62966 This is a medieval-style labyrinth made of concrete. When turning into the hospital, take the first left. Go through the parking lot. The labyrinth is on your left in the shaded area. For Information: Phone: 618.684.3156 X55532 Email: [email protected] stjosephmemorialhospital.org Open 24/7
Posted on: Sun, 19 Jan 2014 22:36:48 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015