For my 40th birthday, I asked my husband for a mini-retreat. I wanted to spend a couple of days alone in silent retreat – reading, writing, and spending time with God – and then a couple of days visiting my dearest friends from childhood. I needed a few days of soul renewal, to recharge as I entered this next year.
When I checked into the retreat center, I noticed they had a labyrinth on site. I’d always been curious about the practice of walking a labyrinth, so I decided to try it while I was there. The next day, I walked to seemingly the edge of the retreat center property, crossing the river that runs through, and finally found the labyrinth, nestled in the woods on the hillside.
I read over a flyer that explained the labyrinth and different ways to experience it, then stepped in and began to walk. I have to say this was a highlight of my retreat, a powerful and moving experience. I spent close to an hour there talking to God, listening for His voice, and hearing His direction for my life as I walked.
Prayer through movement and pilgrimage
Saint Augustine once said, “Solvitur amvulando… It is solved by walking.” Pilgrimage is a journey of spiritual significance and I think this can describe your walk through a labyrinth. It’s a tool to help you walk in place as you make a spiritual journey with God.
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A labyrinth is an ancient spiritual tool for prayer and meditation. In the middle ages, Christian pilgrims would travel to a cathedral to walk the labyrinth when they were unable to go to Jerusalem during the Crusades.
It is not a maze, but a single path that leads to the center and back. It will twist and turn, but you will not get lost. Walking the labyrinth can be experienced as a metaphor for your own spiritual journey with all its twists, turns, and meandering. The point is not to figure out how to get to the center, but how to take the next step with God. Focus on the journey, not the destination.
Finding a Labyrinth
Labyrinths can be physically walked or you can do a virtual walk with a table-top version or even an online version. To find a labyrinth near you, search the labyrinth locator. If you don’t live near a labyrinth or physically waking one is not an option, you can print out a table-top version and “walk” it with your finger. I’ve been using one of these in my morning prayers and it’s still an effective method of prayer for me.
Walking a Labyrinth
Walking a LabyrinthThere are different ways to experience and walk a labyrinth. I’ll cover a few here, but I’m also including some links to references below that will give you more details, if you’re interested.
The “Inner Way”
One method is called the “Inner Way.” In this one, as you walk toward the center, pray for the release of your fears, distractions, and resistances. You may even want to repeat a phrase such as, “Let go and let God.” When you reach the center, pause and pray for illumination. Pray for the Holy Spirit to fill you. “Breathe on me, breath of God. Fill me with life anew.” On the way out, pray for the integration of the Spirit’s guidance into your life. Maybe repeat a phrase such as, “Thy will be done.”
Asking a Question
Maybe you have a question on your heart, a need that’s troubling you, or are seeking God’s direction on something in your life. Approach the labyrinth with that prayer. Spend your walk praying and talking with God about that particular question or need. Make sure, though, you allow some silence in your walk to listen for the still small voice of God.
Gracious Attention
A third way to experience a labyrinth is called “Gracious Attention.” In this method, simply quiet your mind and walk. Let go of all thoughts and just listen for God’s voice as you walk. Maybe meditate or repeat a simple prayer or verse, such as “Come, Holy Spirit, come.”
PRAY DEEP CHALLENGE: Print out a labyrinth and experience it from your home. Chose a way you want to experience the labyrinth. Ask God to walk with you, then trace the path with your finger, virtually “walking” the labyrinth. If you have the opportunity, find a labyrinth near you and walk it.
Resources:
Veriditas: Inspiring Transformation Through the Labyrinth Experience
About the Labyrinth @ Cal Lutheran University Campus Ministry
Here are some tools to experience a labyrinth walk from your own home {these are affiliate links}. I personally have the pewter handheld labyrinth and find it to be a great way to experience the labyrinth (even in a small way) during my morning prayers at home. I don’t yet have the sand labyrinth, but I’m very intrigued by it and have it on my wish list.
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{These are affiliate links – and my own books – so any purchases help grow and sustain this blog.}
This post is part of the “Pray Deep” series. For more information on the series, click HERE.
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Wonderful … A reflective prayerful hour walking the labyrinth. A quiet retreat filled with solitude and silence. A few dear friends close by. What a huge blessing, a much needed refilling.
Thanks for this sacred reflection, Kathryn!
Kathryn says
It was an amazing experience and wonderful way to spend my birthday! This year, on that same weekend, I get to help lead a group of women on a “Be Still” retreat where we’ll practice many of these prayer techniques and walk a labyrinth. I can’t wait! Maybe walking a labyrinth will become my birthday tradition.
Robert Porter says
Thanks for this morning’s message. It made me aware that during all of these years of running and hiking wooded bike baths I have been unknowingly participating in an ancient tradition of lanyrinths. More than just exercise, these outings have been times of prayer and letting go. Molly and I currently go to Oak Point several times a week. This time is invaluable to our individual joy and our relationship together.
P.S. It appears that as comments grow in length, the Post Comment button moves further down the webpage until it eventually is covered by the next section, which explains why I could not find it to submit my comment last week. Very clever way of dealing with the long-winded!
Kathryn says
What a beautiful time of prayer, while you run and hike. I used to find running on the treadmill to be a great time of prayer, too – the rhythmic, constancy of the running let my mind focus on listening. Something about praying through movement is a really great way to connect with God – especially out in nature.
Raising Samuels says
This is interesting and I love the metaphor compared to the spiritual walk. Thanks for sharing the principles of this and hope you had a great time on your retreat! #bloggercaregroup
Barb @ A Life in Balance says
Thank you for contributing to Motivation Monday!
Mary Geisen says
It sounds like an amazing experience. I will have to see if there are any labyrinths near me. I can see how using the gracious attention method could draw me in deeply. Barbie and I are blessed that you shared this at The Weekend Brew.
Kathryn says
Walking the labyrinth was an amazing experience. I didn’t know what to expect, but it was such a great way to clear my mind and just listen. We’re taking one to a women’s retreat in a few weeks and I can’t wait to walk it again. Definitely try it if you find one near you.