LABYRINTH WALKING/MEDIATION
What are Labyrinths?
A labyrinth is an ancient spiritual tool of transformation and support. It also can be a devotionaltool that can bring new possibilities to your daily life.
A labyrinth is a mild walking exercise thatcan allow us to experience our soul’s rhythm with God and discover our own soul’s purpose. The labyrinth’s ancient power derives from the fact that it is an archetypal map of a healing journey. The walk itself is a physical metaphor for healing as well as spiritual and emotional growth and transformation.
History of Labyrinths:
Dating back thousands of years, labyrinths have existed in many cultures around the world. They have been rediscovered as a healing tool for many churches, hospitals, parks and retreat centers. Historically, labyrinths were found in Scandinavia and the Mediterranean regions as well as in ancient literature. In the MiddleAges, Christians were expected to go to the Holy Lands at least once in their lives. As travel grew more dangerous, particularly during the Crusades, different cathedrals in Europe were designated as “pilgrimage Cathedrals.” Labyrinths were inlaid in the stone floors of these Cathedrals. Instead of going to Holy Lands, the Christians would travel to these sites and walk the labyrinths for spiritualinspiration. The labyrinth was seen then as it is today: as a metaphor of our life’s purpose, journey and emotional healing.
Uses of Labyrinths:
A labyrinth is not a maze, though the two of them are often confused. Labyrinths have one way to the center and backout again. This path is called a unicursal. A maze, on the other hand, has blind alleys, dead ends, or tricks to confuse the walker. The labyrinth's coherent circuits take you to the center and back to the beginning without confusion or deterrents. Since a labyrinth has no obstacles to overcome, no muddles to figure out, or dead ends to retrace, it can be a deeply meditative and enjoyable trip to the center and back to the beginning.
The labyrinth then acts as a “mirror,” reflecting back to us not only the light of our best selves but also some of the restraints holding us back. Many people use the labyrinth as a way to gain insight, direction and healing for their daily lives.It is a mediation tool to be used for a variety of individualpurposes and can be a powerful tool for growth and change.
Three sources for information about labyrinths that you are invited to check out include Will Hinton,
Louisburg College Labyrinth:
(You Tube,
Exploring the Labyrinth, (WEST) and Planning for a labyrinth (Ferre).
In Ferre’s article ( he sites one resource that can be helpful about the history of Labyrinths Thought the Labyrinth Designs and Meanings over 5000 years by Hearn Kern (