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The

Labyrinth

at

Westminster Presbyterian Church

"The labyrinth provides the sacred space where the inner and outer worlds can commune,

where the thinking mind and the imaginative heart can flow together." - Lauren Artress

Come walk the labyrinth at Westminster the first Tuesday of each month from 12:00 noon to 8:00 p.m. The labyrinth will be set up in Fellowship Hall.  Enter through the Wilkinson St. doors closest to the alley and follow the signs.. 

A labyrinth is…

• a winding path that leads to a central space and then out again by the same path.

• a wondrous pathway that may become a mirror for our own lives and metaphor for our spiritual journey.

• a circle and a spiral, each a powerful and ancient symbol of unity, wholeness and transformation.

• a tool of spiritual growth, healing and transformation of heart, body, mind and spirit.

• a spiritual discipline of setting one foot in front of the other and following a path.

• a calling forth of our intuitive symbolic mind and creative meandering spirit.

• a deeply healing container where we can touch our joys and sorrows.

• The labyrinth is not a maze. Unlike a maze that is designed to confuse you and is full of dead ends and obstacles to overcome, a labyrinth is designed for you to find your way with no wrong turns or dead ends.

• There is no single, correct way to walk a labyrinth. The only choice you need make is to enter the path.

• As you begin to walk, allow yourself to find the pace your body wants to go. This pace may change as you walk.

• If you share the path with others, feel free to pass around one another. Let other people move around you as well.

• The labyrinth is a two-way path. Those entering will meet those coming out—those coming out will meet those entering. You may choose to acknowledge one another with a smile or a touch as you pass, or maintain your inward focus by refraining from eye contact.

• Listen to your body—does it want to walk, dance, skip or run the labyrinth? You may even want to sit quietly in a particular place for a time.

Seek to quiet your mind, soul, heart and body. This is a time of letting go, of releasing, of emptying, of cleansing.

Enter the center with an open heart and mind. Come to this place of rest, prayer and reflection. Sit, stand, lay down—stay a long while or a short while. Seek illumination and inspiration at the center of the labyrinth, the center of ourselves, where we commune with God.

When you are ready, walk out the same path you walked in. Carry your unique experience out into the world. It may be a refreshed spirit, renewed vision, calm, peace, gratitude, understanding forgiveness…

As you enter the labyrinth you may find it helpful to pause at the threshold, offer a prayer of thanksgiving for this time, and set an intention for your walk. It could be as simple as

I come to...      experience the labyrinth      center in my deepest self      pray and seek God’s wisdom      enjoy the movement of my body      seek God’s guidance with a decision      clarify my thoughts/feelings      honor a transition in my life      release a memory, despair or grief      express gratitude to God      ask a question

As you leave the labyrinth, ponder what touched you, inspired you, challenged you or surprised you. A prayer of thanksgiving may also seem an appropriate closure to this time. You may also wish to let the experience unfold as it will.

"The metaphors within the labyrinth are endless because they are shaped by our creative imagination—whatever our psyches need to deal with becomes the spiritual lessoneof the labyrinth."

 -Lauren Artress

Links to other labyrinth websites