On the lawn on the west side of the Worship Center, Jacob Burlin, a young parishioner doing his Eagles Scout project, has designed a prayer-labyrinth that he and his fellow scouts have constructed. Prayer-labyrinths became popular in Europe in the Middle Ages. Many monasteries and cathedrals had labyrinths in their cloisters and courtyards. The idea is to have a quiet space to walk and meditate. As one walks the twists and turns of the labyrinth toward the center, it symbolizes the path to the center of our being – our heart. It is in our heart that the Holy Spirit dwells. We are grateful to Jacob and all the scouts for their hard work that now becomes a beautiful part of our parish property. We hope you have a chance to go down and look at our new outdoor prayer-space, and some day to walk and pray the new Prayer-labyrinth.

The Labyrinth The labyrinth is a 40 foot circle, a sacred design laid on the floor of Chartres Cathedral around 1200.  We do not know its origin.  As one walks it symbolically we are walking the spiritual path, which we are all on whether we recognize it or not. Part of the forgotten Christian tradition is the three fold mystical path.  The first part is Purgation, which is a traditional word that simply means cleansing or shedding.  This is the first part of the walk.  The second is Illumination, which is coming to a point of clarity or clear seeing.  On the labyrinth it is the center circle.  The third is Union.  A way to think of this is communion with God, joining God.  We must join God in carrying out His plans for us on earth.  We must join God, become His hands to get the necessary outreach to others that we may survive on this planet. Labyrinths were found throughout the churches in France and Italy. The English churches externalize them; putting them outside in gardens.  The 12th century Christian made one commitment as a Christian.  It was to make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land at least once during his or her lifetime!  However, when the crusades swept across Europe travel became too dangerous and the Church decreed seven Cathedrals to be the destination points for the pilgrims to carry out this commitment.  People would spend days traveling to Chartres Cathedral and upon arrival would walk the labyrinth to reach the center which is called the New Jerusalem.  Walking the labyrinth was the ritual ending as well as beginning as one entered the great gothic cathedral which was the symbol for the city of God. The labyrinth is a metaphor for spiritual journey.  The beginning of deep transportation is to see ourselves as we truly are while we are surrounded with God’s mercy and love and it is a state of grace to accept God’s love.  When we meet ourselves at the depth of our being, we meet God also.  In transformation we seek to recover the original unity.  It is this original unity that we are seeking and the circular pattern of the labyrinth reminds us that we are part of the same Source.  It can guide us in love not only for our neighbors, but for our enemies as well. (The above is from the sermon notes of Rev. Dr. Lauren Artress, Canon Pastor of Grade Cathedral.)

Walking and Praying the Labyrinth This is a special time with God, a spiritual tool of connectedness: Beginning: pause and consider your purpose in being here.  What does God want you to do, to think, to see, to hear, to taste, to be? Purgation: walk the path into the center releasing, cleansing, letting go, emptying, shedding… Illumination: in the center, open your heart and mind, breath in and receive God’s gifts to you.  Stay as long as you wish. Union: when you are ready, walk out on the same path that brought you into the center, aware that now God will bring you to fruition, perhaps not immediately, perhaps later, but know and trust God is always answering you in the process of your every living step. There are many ways to walk and many ways to pray.  Allow yourself your way.  There is no proper, no right way. You might wish to: be silent, letting thoughts go, allowing God to speak in the way you can hear God’s voice. pray, repeat a breath prayer, talking with God, freely expressing your thoughts and feelings. question, asking God something, knowing God will answer you in a way you can hear. read scripture or some other holy text, savoring the layers of meaning, allowing them to inform you at different layers of your being. celebrate, singing, dancing, smiling, giving glory to God, giving thanks, joy. walk or run or kneel, move as you feel directed to move, as you want to move, slowly, quickly, stopping, not stopping.  The labyrinth is a metaphor for life.  If it makes you anxious, recognize the anxiety, honor it, ask God to teach you through your anxiety. If you want to cry, allow yourself the tears. If you want to laugh, allow yourself the laughter. May your journey in the labyrinth be blessed and deepen your awareness of the uniqueness of your soul and your connectedness with and in God.