The Rhythm of the Labyrinth

This is the third in a series of six posts leading up to Easter.

This time period – often called Lent - can be a time of preparation and observance

as we reflect on what Jesus did for us.

The season of Lent helps us be intentional about taking more time to be with God, by laying aside other things that so often garner our attention. Today I wanted to highlight walking a Labyrinth as a way to unite our minds and bodies in the experience of prayer. There is something unique about the rhythm of walking, while praying, that helps us sharpen our focus on God.

A labyrinth is a circular path that heads in one direction, leading toward a central point. We pray as we walk toward the center, then we pray as we turn and walk out. Labyrinths are of ancient design, and have been used by Christians for hundreds of years as places to meet God and pray.

On our property, we are creating a prayer garden (called The Lavender Pavilion) and we built a labyrinth at the center. I love to invite others to walk it, because so many people find this experience to be helpful…and even illuminating…in their spiritual journey. The physical act of walking while praying creates a rhythm; a rhythm that helps them unite what their body and soul are feeling. It can be a time of spiritual rejuvenation as they physically move toward the center – toward God – while, at the same time, they talk with God.

Sometimes, as people navigate the path, they almost feel like they are on a literal journey, leaving burdens and cares behind as they approach God.

To help you experience the rhythm of a labyrinth right where you are, here’s a link to a finger labyrinth. I invite you to print this out and “walk” the path with your fingers as you read through the rest of the blog. (I admit it may seem a bit odd, but give it a try. Let your mind and body get into a rhythm…a rhythm of prayer. And this will give you just a taste of what it can be like to walk and pray in a real labyrinth.)

Before you enter, say a brief prayer or spend a few moments being still. Take your time; it’s about the journey as much as the destination. Walk toward the center and try to be open to what God brings to your attention. It may be a particular issue weighing on your mind, a feeling of anger or joy that you notice, or a series of random thoughts that cross your mind. (When you physically walk a labyrinth, sometimes it’s helpful to breathe deeply; rhythmically inhaling and exhaling. Allow these “cleansing breaths” to catch your attention and bring the peace of the Holy Spirit into you. This is not really very mystical because, after all, the Greek word for “breath” is the same one used for “Spirit”.) Spend a few moments at the center, then pray as you walk out.

In his book, The Sacred Way, author Tony Jones describes the labyrinth as a metaphor for life.

"We progress down a path that’s laid out by God – even though we rarely foresee its twists and turns – toward the eventual goal of unity with Christ. We enter and follow a path, not knowing where it will take us, but knowing we will eventually arrive at the center. Sometimes the path leads inward toward the ultimate goal, only to lead back outwards again. We may meet others along the path. Some we meet face-to-face; stepping aside to let them pass; some catch up to us from behind and pass us; others we pass along the way. At the center we rest, watch others, pray. Sometimes we stay in the center a long time; other times we leave quickly. The point is, the labyrinth is a walking prayer."

Walking a labyrinth can be a wonderful tool to experience God, and many communities have one or more available to the public. I’ve discovered them at churches, hospitals, and gardens; sometimes they are listed on Google. 

The prayer garden where our labyrinth is located is a “private/public” location, since it’s on our personal property in a residential neighborhood. It’s open on a limited basis to family, friends, and acquaintances. If you live near us in Oregon’s southern Willamette Valley and would like to experience the rhythm of a labyrinth, please let me know. I’d love to have you join me… particularly during this Lenten season as we prepare ourselves for Good Friday and Easter Sunday.

Let me pray for you. Dear Jesus, thank you for this period we call Lent, an intentional time to realize the significance of your presence in our lives and your sacrifice on our behalf. I pray that those reading this blog would take even a short time to try using a labyrinth, to see how you might bring things to their attention as they pause in life’s busyness. Thank you for giving us the ability to walk and pray, to rest and reflect. May you meet them as they take time to be with you. In Your Name, Amen.