Finding My Way in a Labyrinth

Recently I had the privilege of walking the labyrinth at the Christian Brothers’ Centre in Stellenbosch with the women’s group of my parish.

We were all very excited because none of us had walked the labyrinth before. In fact, most of us did not even know what a labyrinth was. So off we went, very excitedly to experience walking the labyrinth. And what an experience it was!

The labyrinth is not a maze, as some people might think. 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.

There are no tricks to it and no dead-ends. It has a single circuitous path that winds its way into the centre. The person walking it uses the same path to return from the centre and the entrance then becomes the exit. The path is in full view, which allows a person to be quiet and focus internally without having to wonder what lies around the corner.

We were guided by our spiritual director who recommended that we use the following method of reflection while walking the labyrinth:

Remembering, that we are deeply blessed and deeply loved by God. Releasing: letting go of distractions, old hurts and disappointments. Receiving the gifts of grace, guidance and new insights. Resolving: deciding our next steps of action.

One does not have to reflect in this order, and one can repeat these steps as often as needed while in the labyrinth. At the end, symbolically, and sometimes actually, this means that you are taking back out into the world that which you have received in the labyrinth.

There is no right way or wrong way to walk a labyrinth. You may use the labyrinth in any way that meets what you need while being respectful of others walking. You may go directly to the centre to reflect quietly — whatever meets your needs.

Our spiritual director suggested that we prepare ourselves by sitting quietly to reflect before walking 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. Many come during times of grief and loss.

The labyrinth is situated within the Bigger God garden which is made up of various “circles” to help us explore different experiences we have of the mystery we call God. When you visit the Bigger God garden at the Christian Brothers’ Centre in Stellenbosch, you will also be able to experience a Tree of Religions, a Tree of Action and Contemplation, a Cosmic Spiral, the Sacred Feminine, a Resurrection Circle, a Zen Garden.

What I took from my labyrinth experience is a lesson to slow down and to control my need for getting things done.

As I was entering the labyrinth and proceeding towards the centre, I was prevented from walking faster by the woman walking in front of me. I really just wanted to overtake her and move on. But I did not. I settled down in my thoughts and meditation and it was a good experience.

Once both of us were in the centre, I decided to leave the centre before her so that she would not slow me down again. And I did. Just to find myself walking behind another woman moving slowly. What greater lesson to slow down in life can one get?

Having learnt from my first experience, I will be better prepared to walk the labyrinth in prayer and meditation a second time. It is a good spiritual exercise and if you are able to, then make a trip to the Christian Brothers’ Centre in Stellenbosch and spend a morning in their Bigger God garden — and be refreshed.