Tuesday, February 09, 2010

Labyrinths

I am scheduled to make a presentation on walking the labyrinth to the women of my home church Thursday night. Obviously the word "schedule" has a flexible meaning in this snowy week, but nevertheless I have been enjoying the planning and preparation.

What I couldn't figure out was how to make it an experiential evening. We have a small indoor labyrinth at church, but its size and its narrow circuits make it difficult to walk ~ out of the question for a group of more than 2 or 3 to spend time on in the context of an hour's presentation. And even small hand-held renditions of the Chartres labyrinth would be too time consuming for our use.

Finally! a light went on and I googled "three-circuit labyrinth." I'm going to make copies as a handout and that way maybe we can fit in three separate labyrinth "walks" with our fingers at various points in the evening ~ just enough to provide a taste.

There's a canvas replica of the Chartres labyrinth available for walking a couple of days a week at a Presbyterian church near my seminary. That's where I headed for an hour of contemplative prayer right before and right after the ordination exams. It wasn't Chartres but ~ close enough.

Chartres

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

I've long wanted to do a labyrinth walk. Wish I could see your presentation.

Anonymous said...

Walking the labyrinth in Chartres was one of the most spiritual experiences of my life. Thank you for bringing it to the front of my mind - beautiful photo.

Irene

Cindy said...

I'm hoping to build/garden a labyrinth into my yard this year. Its long been one of my deep goals.

The labyrinth at Chartres is very meaningful to me as well, and there are so many wonderful examples of women working with this spiritual energy today!

Good luck with your own presentation, I hope to hear how it goes!

marigolds2 said...

A note for Cynthia - The Labyrinth Society http://labyrinthsociety.org/
has an amazing tool called a Labyrinth Locator http://labyrinthlocator.com/home
with which you can find any labyrinths in your area. I was blown away by how many there are here in New Mexico, right here in Albuquerque. The only one I knew of is the one I've walked several times on the porch of the Cathedral in Santa Fe. I looked at TN (assuming you are the Cynthia I know in TN) and was also amazed at the number there. I think you may not be far from Jackson, where there is an 11 circuit Chartres replica labyrinth as part of the Jackson-Madison County General hospital's New Towerconstruction.

I too would love to be there for your presentation, Robin. Walking meditation is a form of prayer I love.

Gannet Girl said...

If any of you want a cc of the PP, let me know by email.

Cindy said...

I'd like a copy!

artandsoul2009@hotmail.com

marigolds2 said...

I think that I would also like a copy. Thank you.