At the entrance of many Labyrinths, there is a sign that says, “Solivitur ambulando” or “It is solved by walking” (Augustine of Hippo, a 4th c theologian and philosopher).
Labyrinths have been found in many different cultures and religious traditions. They have been discovered in ancient sites in Scandinavia, Mexico and India dating back 3500 years and are thought to have been used for good fortune, healing and protection. While their origin is not Christian, they are most well known in the great cathedrals built in the Middle Ages in Europe. They were thought to be a substitute for the pilgrimage to Jerusalem. 22 of the 80 Cathedrals built in the Middle Ages have labyrinths; the most well known is the Cathedral of Chartres near Paris built in 1200 AD.
Dr. Lauren Artress, canon at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco, introduced the labyrinth to the U.S. in the early 1990’s when she copied the 11 circuit design of the Chartres Cathedral labyrinth on to a portable floor canvas. Dr. Artress is the author of Walking a Sacred Path: Rediscovering the Labyrinth as a Sacred Tool and the founder of the non profit Verditas which is the Voice of the Labyrinth movement.
In 2005 there were 1600 labyrinths in The Labyrinth Society’s database. There are now over 3500 in 70 countries. These are not including those added daily in hospitals, private and public gardens and even prisons.
As an ancient symbol of wholeness, walking a labyrinth “offers a spiritual experience not tied to any particular religion or culture”.
So how do you walk a Labyrinth whether it’s inside/outside or made of stone or cloth? There is no wrong or right way. Just enter and walk. Silence is important throughout the walk, for your own reflection and that of others. Take some time before you walk to clear your mind, often by just sitting in silence for a few minutes or perhaps thinking about what you might want to gain from the experience. You can begin by asking “What is it that I need to know?” or “Let me be present and release all my cares and concerns.“ Or nothing. Walk at your own pace. You may pause at any point. You may pass others moving at a slower rate or coming from the opposite direction. Do what feels natural to you — some walk steadily, some walk slowly pausing often, some dance and twirl (seriously, people of all shapes and sizes walk labyrinths, dressed in shorts to suits and yes, some do twirl and dance).
The entrance is also the exit. Some people sit or kneel at the center for a few minutes, some even read or write, others just change positions and begin their journey outwards.
A labyrinth walk is a journey to your center. It slows the breathing and calms the mind. It can allow you to focus on the present moment. You could have a moment of great insight about a problem. You could feel all your tension release, even if just for a few moments.
Check out both www.labyrinthlocator.com and www.labyrinthsociety.org