Life is a journey with twists and turns leading toward the sacred center within the self and back again into the world. A labyrinth is a primordial symbol representing this divine excursion; a tool for inspiration, meditation and prayer. Although labyrinths have been in existence for thousands of years, until recently they were rare in the United States. Since the turn of the millennium, this country has witnessed a labyrinth renaissance. These spiritual structures are being created in public parks, on church grounds, next to hospices and on private properties. Organizations like The Labyrinth Society and Veriditas have sprung up to connect labyrinth enthusiasts.
Serving as a metaphor for “Life’s Journey,” the labyrinth has numerous twists and turns, but no dead ends. The sojourner can always see the center, but generally is not sure when or how the path will lead there. Walking a labyrinth enables people to stay in the moment, to feel safe, to feel nurtured. Because the route is circuitous, both sides of the brain are engaged in the walk. The mind is occupied with staying on the path, enabling the spirit to wander and explore.
Labyrinths are constructed in a variety of shapes but always have one thing in common: every labyrinth has only one path that begins on the perimeter and follows a winding route to the center. Unlike mazes which include dead ends and possibilities for making wrong choices, the path through a labyrinth twists and turns, but is unobstructed. The path always goes to the center and comes back to the beginning. Pathways are laid on the earth using a variety of markers, such as rocks, bricks, wooden pegs, or simply lines of paint or other durable substances.
Although labyrinth designs vary, two layout patterns dominate those presently being built in the United States. The Classic Cretan Design with seven circuits is associated with ancient cultures, deriving its name from the Greek myth of Theseus and the Minotaur on the island of Crete. The Medieval Chartres Design with 11 circuits emerged during the time of the crusades — people who could not embark on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land could instead walk the labyrinth. The Christian influence in this design is evident in the shape of the cross and the rosette in the center. The labyrinth on the floor of the Chartres Cathedral in France, dating back to 1200 A.D, serves as the model for this design.
The labyrinth on the grounds of Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church in Fort Collins was influenced by the Chartres Design. Members of the congregation constructed the structure, using wooden pegs as markers along the grassy route. It is open to the public at all times; church hosts are available from 9:00-9:45 am on Sundays throughout the summer to talk with visitors. The Unity Church of Fort Collins has a labyrinth based on the classical Cretan Design on the grounds behind the building that is also open to the public. Labyrinth experiences may help with important life transitions, including the grieving associated with life-threatening illnesses or death. Many hospices are building labyrinths for use with classes and counseling. The beautiful rose-colored labyrinth next to the Larimer County Hospice was built entirely by volunteers using bricks and small rocks provided at cost by local businesses. Although it is used as part of their services, it is also open to the public. The labyrinth at Columbine Unitarian Universalist Church in Littleton, Colorado, was constructed as part of the grieving process following the 1999 shootings at the nearby high school.
Berthoud resident Quinn Reed has built a labyrinth in back of her home. Using fifteen tons of river rock of all shapes and sizes, she handled each stone at least twice as she lovingly laid them out in the Medieval Chartres Design. The path to the center is one-fourth of a mile long, so a walk through the labyrinth covers one-half of a mile. Quinn recommends that people walk slowly to enhance the experience. Her labyrinth has trees within to offer shade and varying patterns of light along the way. Large rocks at the center provide space for sitting and contemplation. The labyrinth is visible from all the windows and patios on the east side of her home and is shared with family, friends, students and wanderers. Portable labyrinths made of canvas or other materials that can be rolled up for storage when not in use are available commercially. Even more convenient are finger labyrinths that can be carried in pockets or purses and virtual labyrinths that can be “walked” on computer programs.
Whether a person is walking a labyrinth for the first or the hundredth time, each journey is a unique personal experience. There are no rules for walking a labyrinth, but the following suggestions may be helpful for those who are new to the experience. • Allow about 20 to 40 minutes. • Pause at the entrance to quiet the mind. • Consciously release cares and concerns. • Breathe deeply. • Walk mindfully, staying completely in the moment. • Engage the senses. Hear the sounds of birds and insects, smell the flowers and trees, feel the crunch of your feet on the path, observe surrounding vistas. • Respect others on the path, passing and moving in silence. • Upon reaching the center, allow a sense of peace to permeate your being. You may choose to gaze in each of the four directions for a time or perhaps sit on bench or rock for deeper contemplation. • Remain open to joy and/or enlightenment on the journey back to the beginning point. • At the conclusion, pause to face the labyrinth and offer a prayer of gratitude. Life is a sacred journey of discovery. Symbolizing our universal excursion, the labyrinth allows us to venture into the center of our spiritual being and return to the world refreshed.
Further information about labyrinths and their locations may be found at: • The Labyrinth Society: www.labyrinthsociety.org • Veriditas: www.veriditas.org • The Artful Way: www.artfulway.com/labyrinth.htm • World-Wide Labyrinth Locator: www.veriditas.labyrinthsociety.org • Lessons for Living: www.lessons4living.com/labyrinth.htm
Loveland resident Phyllis Kennemer has teaching experience in public schools, colleges and universities. Most of her writings and presentations deal with children’s literature. She has written a book about developing integrated curriculum units and is presently a reviewer of children’s books for an online database. pkkbooks@comcast.net
A Sampling of Labyrinths Open to the Public in Colorado • Unity Church, 1401 West Vine Drive, Fort Collins, CO 80524 • Arvada United Methodist Church, 6750 Carr Street, Arvada, CO 80004 • St. John’s Episcopal Church, 1419 Pine Street, Boulder, CO 80302 • First Christian Church, 16 East Platte Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO 80903 • Colorado College, 1010 N. Nevada Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO 80903 • Crestonehenge, 899 Camino Real, P.O. Box 876, Crestone, CO 81131 • St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, 1280 Vine, Denver, CO 80206 • Elizabeth Public Garden, Pine Ridge Street, Elizabeth, CO 80107 • Saint Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church, 880 MacGregor Avenue, Estes Park, CO 80517 • First Congregational Church, 1425 North 5th Street, Grand Junction, CO 81501
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