The labyrinth walk

[hildy89]

While walking to the grocery store, I happen to notice a flyer on a bus stop announcing the open labyrinth walks held at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington. Knowing she was also interested in labyrinths, I asked ariadnesthread if she was interested in doing the walk sometime. So we planned it for this evening. The church hosts two open walks every month on a Friday and a Sunday, with special walks for each solstice and New Year's Eve/Day. The church has three labyrinths. We saw two of them.

The outdoor terrace labyrinth has the pattern painted on the stone. I didn't walk that labyrinth, but it was still strangely peaceful there, despite the cars whizzing by on Rte 50.

For our walk, we went downstairs in the activity room. The labyrinth was a portable one in canvas, laid out in the traditional Chartres Cathedral pattern. The lights are turned down low and they play New Age music in the background.

The two "caretakers" briefly explained to us how it worked, before they started their own walks. Although it was interesting to watch how they approached the walk, they were quick to point out it was a very individual and private matter. There wasn't one rote way to do things, just do what you felt was right. You were allowed to go at your own pace. You took off your shoes before entering. They even provided socks if you were barefoot. One thing they encouraged us to do was to take time to gather your thoughts before entering, walking around the outside of the labyrinth, if you wanted, so you could discard the day's events and focus.

Not having any great question that needed answering, I just tried to empty my mind and just focus on the walk and remembering to breathe. Let my mind wander as it does so often. You walk at your own pace. I always felt like I was walking too fast, even when I slowed down. To me, it felt like an immense winding balance beam. Something about the pattern made me stay between the lines and sometimes use my arms for balance checks when my feet weren't quite so stable, especially making the turns.

Once you reached the center, you could sit and meditate or whatever you felt worked. It was so quiet. All you could hear were the foot scrapes against the fabric. Then you came out the way you had come. The only thing I was a little unclear was how I was supposed to react when someone was in my path. The person in my way seemed to be experienced enough to understand the walking etiquette, but I was uncertain if I was supposed to do more.

Finally stepping outside the labyrinth again, I walked back around the circuit and then turned to each of the quarters at the entrance. What was I banishing?

I could see why the labyrinth made a good meditation tool. It'd be interesting to combine with something like yoga, where breathing and balance are so important.

Comments

[vadreamer.livejournal.com]

I recently saw that the National Catherderal does a labyrinth walk on the last Tues of each month, too. Count me in next time - I am very interested in learning more.

[queenbookwench.livejournal.com]

My church has done labyrinth walks before, and I've always found them to be deeply calming, moving and insightful. We often take communion at the center of the labyrinth, which adds an extra dimension.