The Spiritual Practice of Labyrinth Walking

This month our spiritual practice focus is on labyrinth's. Many people may get confused thinking a labyrinth is a maze however in this context labyrinths are an ancient symbol relating to wholeness. It combines the imagery of a circle and spiral into a journey from outside to in and back out again. Usually there is only one entry into the path and people choose how fast, slow, or way to walk it. The practice provides a direct experience of walking a path as a metaphor for life's journey.  

The first labyrinth I walked was 15 years ago. It was a movable cloth which could be transported and used anywhere. Headphones and a recorded CD was provided which lead you through the path. The journey took roughly one hour as the meditation stopped at various points along the journey where you interacted with materials previously set up. There were moments for reflection to dwell on your personal life and your internal thought processes. There were specific movements and actions asked of me which opened up my heart. The journey came to the end and I remember feeling completely relaxed and present in the moment. The journey was nothing I had ever encountered because it intentionally made me take time and focus my attention on the state of my heart. 

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Labyrinths can be incredible experiences combining movement and action with meditation.  Let's look closer at labyrinth's and how they may fit your spiritual needs.  ​

The History Of Labyrinth's

​The Labyrinth Builders indicate the first examples of labyrinths come from neolithic and bronze age with images carved on rocks. Coins from Crete appear with the symbols around 1 BC. The design later became popular with the Romans who would put them on the floors of their homes and would use the design for horseman to practice riding. The imagery eventually developed and led to churches using them in their construction.

The first evidence of a religious use of labyrinths is from the 4th century where Basilica of Reparatus in Orleansville, Algeria was built. The most famous one is the Chartes Cathedral in France which was built in 13th century. Chartes Cathedral is widely known to have individuals pilgrimage there to partake in the labyrinth.  Here is a picture below of the cathedral floor.  ​

The blog Sacred Ordinary Days indicates labyrinths became a symbol for pilgrimages when those could not leave for various reasons. It was a spiritual journey they could take when the road to the Holy Land was not accessible or too dangerous for those to travel. 


Meaning Behind Labyrinth's 


Veriditas is a non-profit focusing on connecting individuals to labyrinths. If you click on their name it will take you to their website which has a great video about labyrinths.  I encourage you to watch it.  


There are many different ways and various reasons to walk a labyrinth. It may be for stress reduction, spiritual transformation, or just for fun. Whatever the reason its a good one as there is no wrong way to walk one. 

Some people break up the journey into three stages which I have listed below.  


Stage 1: Releasing - The journey inward is about letting go of your thoughts and concerns. It's about giving them up to be present on the journey. 


Stage 2: Receiving - Reaching the middle of the labyrinth is a time of reflection. What have you received from your journey? What answers are you searching for? It's a time to sit, pray, quiet the mind, and be present in the sacred space.  Spend as much time as you need in this sacred space. 


​Stage 3: Returning - The journey back outward is one of preparation for the world yet to come. You have journeyed to the center, opened yourself up to receive, and are ready to return to the world, possibly transformed or changed from who you were previously.

Many individuals have found amazing benefits and meaning from walking a labyrinth. I encourage you to find your own meaning and reasons as you walk your own.  If you are interested in finding a labyrinth close to you.  Go to the worldwide labyrinth locator.  


Community Of Christ & Labyrinths
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Community of Christ is always supportive ways people can connect and reflect with God in their lives.  Labyrinths is just one of a myriad of ways.  The Community of Christ Temple in Kansas City, MO, which is dedicated to the pursuit of peace, has a labyrinth on their outside platform open to the public just as the temple is. Here is a picture below of the labyrinth.  ​​

They have also have various resources giving direction on how to use labyrinths. First is this PDF called Introducing the Labyrinth which describes labyrinths, why people walk them, and how they connect to symbols and concepts of faith. There is also a webpage Walking the Labyrinth further describing the practice.  


So go out there and try the spiritual practice of labyrinth walking! 

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This week find a labyrinth near you and give it a try.