On Tuesday evening there was a unique and, to me, fascinating concert held in a Vancouver church. While the Borealis String Quartet played compositions by the Canadian composer, John Burke, members of the audience walked a labyrinth on the church floor. What an interesting spiritual experience!
We have been intrigued by labyrinths for the past dozen years or so. The concept of the labyrinth is a simple, winding pathway which eventually leads to the centre. The walker can't get lost, as with a maze, even though there are times when the path seems to be leading away from the destination. Walkers are often deeply touched by the experience.
While labyrinths are an ancient and universal spiritual tool, they have been incorporated into Christianity since the early centuries of our tradition. Perhaps the most famous was uncovered on the floor of Chartres Cathedral. It is about thirteen metres across and dates back to the year 1200.
Read more about labyrinths at http://www.labyreims.com/e-intromed.html
So much for this being a New Age invention, as some critics sniff.
In the past two decades labyrinths have been used by congregations of many different stripes as a contemplative tool. A group from my last congregation created a portable labyrinth and we often loaned it to other churches. We used it for ourselves at different times of the year including Good Friday.
I have walked labyrinths in different locations including two outdoor labyrinths at Ghost Ranch in New Mexico. There is another outdoor one near Perth, Ontario which is called A Step Into Thyme, and the borders of the path are the herb, thyme.
Have you walked a labyrinth? Was it a meaningful experience?
3 comments:
I have walked several different labyrinths (including the outdoors and ones inside) over the past few years. I was first introduced to the practice during my involved in "The Week of Guided Prayer". For me, walking the labyrinth is most meaningful in solitude not as a group exercise. For me, walking the labyrinth is reflective practice and a time to seek answers or to let the questions come to the surface. Westminister United Church in Whitby has a labyrinth painted on their church floor which was available to all during Holy Week. Another labyrinth that is available to all, is the outdoors one at Five Oaks Centre in Paris, Ontario.
Yes, I walked a labyrinth last weekend in Kincardine with my two sisters. It is called the Kincardine Labyrinth Peace Garden and it is set almost in the heart of the downtown in what was once a farmer's field.It was the inspiration of several women and many volunteers. It is the chalice design. The wide paths are of stone dust and the flowers and plants that border the path are native varieties and are arranged with reds, oranges and yellows transitioning to blues, purples and whites with many interesting shades, textures and heights of foliage between. A statue in the centre represents Eirene, Greek Goddess of Peace. It is a lovely, peaceful spot where all your senses are stimulated. I am in awe of individuals or groups who have an inspiration or vision and who see it through from beginning to end despite difficulties and setbacks.I think this project is nine years in the making.
It's interesting that all three of us have described particular labyrinths and occasions. As I wrote I could see various labyrinths I have walked in Britain, the States, and various provinces. Our son, Isaac, is quite adept at drawing labyrinths on a big scale and would do so on tidal sand flats when we lived in Nova Scotia. We would walk them and then watch them disappear with the encroaching water.
Coincidentally, Shirley, my wife Ruth walked the same labyrinth in Kincardine with her sisters last weekend -- small world.
Thanks to both of you for responding.
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