Lab or Lab-yrinth?
One of my passions is labyrinths. My goal is to walk at least one labyrinth in every state. During a week-long labyrinth-oriented retreat I created—there are over 21 nearby here in Indianapolis—I went to Methodist Hospital to walk that one. As is the case often, the World Wide Labyrinth Locator gives the address, but often once there it is a hunt to actually find it. At Methodist I had that problem, so I went to the information desk asking where the labyrinth was. The person there said that if I went down the hallway to the left I would find the lab for my tests. I smiled and reiterated that I was looking for the labyrinth. She again said more emphatically that the lab was at the end of the aisle to the left. I smiled and said thank you and then asked where I could find the chaplain. After locating him, he directed me to the labyrinth which was undergoing revitalization so could not be walked at that time.
Many do not know what a labyrinth is or what it is about. That is the reason I became a labyrinth facilitator through Veriditas. A labyrinth is not a maze. A maze is meant to confuse and confound with head-ends and the like. A labyrinth is a single path in to the center and then one retraces that same route out.
Being a single mom for 23 years, and leader in the church for 40 years, I’ve had to make a lot of decisions in my life and work. Therefore, I declared Fridays “no decision days.” If someone invited me to dinner, they would have to choose the place and could even choose what I ordered. I could tell them what I enjoy eating, but the decision was up to them. I would make all decisions that needed to be made the day before, or it would have to wait until Saturday.
That is part of my attraction to labyrinths. No decisions have to be made on the path. Just follow the path. Similar to Dorothy and the Yellow Brick Road – another favorite in my life. One can begin the walk with an intention – a question being pondered, stresses that need to be relieved, a burden being struggled, a mantra that can be repeated, or one can simply peacefully walk. Two weeks ago when I facilitated a labyrinth walk at St. Paul’s Indy, I gave everyone a rock to hold to signify a burden, before blessing them on their journey. They were to put that rock and burden down in the center, then pick up a cross and walk out with it in their hand, reminding them that Jesus takes their burdens as in that song and Bible verse that says: “Cast your burdens unto Jesus, for he cares for you.”
This Saturday I am leading a walk at Cross of Grace Church in New Palestine at 12:45pm. Possibly you would like to join us. Our thoughts will be focused on “Hearts of Thankfulness.” People may also choose another topic that is weighing on their hearts. Please reserve here in advance if possible or just show up as the Spirit moves you. The peace of the labyrinth is awaiting your presence.
Let’s walk this path together!
Image of a Chartres Labyrinth in MS