MODERN PILGRIMS

Modern Pilgrims walk the labyrinth as one of many tools to enhance prayer, contemplation, meditation and personal growth.  Some groups recommend walking the labyrinth as a therapeutic tool, emotional and physiological.  Today labyrinths may be found in public parks, on college campuses, schools, prisons, and hospitals in addition to churches and other religious institutions.

There are well over 2000 permanent labyrinths in place across the nation.  From the campus of Boston College to Grace Cathedral, San Francisco, use of the labyrinth as a spiritual tool is making its return and is attracting people of many faiths who are seeking to walk a spiritual path in life.

HOW TO WALK THE LABYRINTH

Generally there are three stages to the walk: releasing on the way in, receiving in the center and returning when you follow the return path back out of the labyrinth. Symbolically, you are taking back into the world that which you have received while walking the labyrinth.  Like the ancient stages of prayer (purgation, illumination, and union ) this is universal pattern of prayer.

To prepare for your walk, you may want to sit quietly to reflect before entering the labyrinth. Some people come with questions, others just to slow down and take time out from a busy life. Some come to find strength to take the next step. Others come during times of grief and loss.  What ever your reason for walking it is your time to seek healing, inspiration and retreat.

There are many ways to describe a labyrinth.  It is a path of prayer, a walking meditation, a crucible of change, a watering hole for the spirit, and a mirror of the soul.

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THE LABYRINTH IS NOT A MAZE 

When one walks or traces a maze decisions have to be made as to which way to turn.  One can get “lost” in a maze if a wrong turn is made.  With a labyrinth the only decision to make is whether or not to enter and follow the path.  The walker follows a single circuitous path that twists and turns as it leads the walker to its center.

The labyrinth at Trinity is a medieval design that has 11 circuits around the center.  It is modeled after the labyrinth built into the floor of Chartres Cathedral around 1200 AD in France.

In ancient times Christians made pilgrimages to cathedral sites that housed these labyrinths as an alternative to the dangerous journey to Jerusalem.  Once they arrived at the site they would walk the labyrinth to its center which symbolized their arrival at the “Heavenly Jerusalem.”

The labyrinth in Chartres is opposite the high altar which is located at the east end of the Cathedral.  The cathedral space signifies for the Christian the meeting places of humanity and divinity as perfected in Christ. 

The east end of the Cathedral where divinity is “co-mingled” with humanity in the Christian sacrament of Holy Communion the individual approaches the Divine in the act of receiving Communion.  In the spiritual pilgrimage as symbolized by walking the path of the labyrinth located at the Cathedral’s west end the divine approaches the individual.  The majestic space of the Chartres Cathedral is a geometric metaphoric expression of humanity’s search for God and of God’s search for the heart of humanity.  It is a glorious presentation of the human and divine quest for reconciliation and unity.

Entrance of Labyrinth, Chartres Cathedral

Center of  Labyrinth,

Chartres Cathedral

Trinity’s Canvas Labyrinth,

36’ scaled replica of Chartres Labyrinth

Chartres Cathedral

Royal Portal

PROGRAM