Rivoli Park Labyrinth Indianapolis, Indiana
“LIVING LIGHT: Shine Among Them Like Stars in the Sky” is the overall theme of the weeklong labyrinth retreat that I created. Each day I plan to visit two or three labyrinths and contemplate their significance in my life at this time. There is a theme for the day and Bible verses associated with it.
Today’s theme is “LIVING humbly, making our lives LIGHT” based on Luke 9:3 and Hebrews 12:1-2. One of the three labyrinths I visited, carrying this theme with me, was the Rivoli Neighborhood Park Labyrinth in Indianapolis’ 10th and Sherman neighborhood, a contemporary design with a Triune focus. Actually, it is smack dab in a vacant lot between two homes - a dream of Lisa Boyles that came to fruition - an oasis in a rather tough neighborhood.
It was my kind of weather with the temperature about 30 degrees, gentle snow flurries, cloudy sky, and wet and muddy ground. Glad I wore my boots, gloves, scarf, and warm jacket with a hood. Seriously, I would not have enjoyed it so much if it were 80 degrees with the hot sun blazing down.
At the entrance to the labyrinth, a toy giraffe greeted me, along with a box containing art supplies for reflection, another box with a guest book and pen, and a final one with the history of this labyrinth reprinted from the Indianapolis Star. There were adorable paintings on posts that were inspirational. There was a peace pole part way along the path and there were quotes to ponder.
As I walked, I read the Bible verses for the day, prayed for the people living in the houses nearby, and also for those names I had just added to today’s list. At times when I walk, phrases or words come to me, sometimes it is images, and sometimes just an overall feeling. As I got close to the prayer-list names of some people with whom I am struggling, the words “Shed the past” repeated in my head over and over. "Shed" is not a word I use much, so I paid particular attention to this phrase. Today it was definitely “Shed the past.” Words to contemplate further.
Leaving Rivoli I felt a pull to volunteer here this summer to help maintain the labyrinth and will contact Lisa Boyles, the designer. If you’d like to find out more about this one, check out Rivoli Park Labyrinth Indianapolis or Rivoli Park Labyrinth
