A labyrinth is a simple, circular pattern, usually laid out on the ground, intended for walking. It’s important to note that labyrinths are not mazes. There are no wrong turns or dead ends, just a circuitous path that eventually takes the walker to the center. Labyrinths predate Christianity by several thousand years, and have been a part of almost every religion. They were first incorporated into Christinity in the early centuries of the church, with the earliest known Christian labyrinth dating from 325 CE at a church in Algiers.
Walking the labyrinth is a form of embodied, contemplative prayer. There are many ways to walk a labyrinth, but a key part of the practice is to set an intention before entering, and then to walk slowly and deliberately along the path. Several suggested methods are:
- Practice walking meditation (see above)
- Ask God a question upon entering, and listen for a response as you walk
- Pray for one’s self on the way to the center, and pray for others on the way back out
- Pray the Lord’s prayer, or some other memorized prayer, as you walk
- Choose a sacred word, or mantra, to repeat as you walk
For more information:
www.labyrinthsociety.org
For further reading:
Exploring the Labyrinth, by Melissa Gayle West