What are labyrinths?

Labyrinths have been built and used in many religious traditions from ancient times until the present. There are records of labyrinths for over 3,000 years in various parts of the world. There was a labyrinth in Crete as early as 45 B.C.E. Labyrinths have been used in France, Germany, England, Italy, Ireland, Peru, and North America.

In the Middle Ages in Europe, labyrinths were used as a symbolic pilgrimage to the Holy Land for those who could not go on a crusade. They also were used as an act of penance as the penitent traversed the path of the labyrinth on one’s knees. Sometimes they were used as a joyous celebration of life, or as an initiation into Baptism. Many of the great cathedrals of Europe contained labyrinths until the eighteenth century when the clergy declared them to be "a frivolous waste of time."

Unlike mazes, labyrinths have no dead ends and no tricks or surprises. Once you begin a labyrinth walk, the path will lead you to the center and then out again. Labyrinths have been designed to lead us from the tensions of our lives into the quiet center of our hearts and invite us to bring our transformation back out into the world. Thus, they offer the potential for refreshment, renewal, and new beginnings.

Walking the sacred path

There is no “right” way to walk the labyrinth. Indeed, there are many ways to walk it and the way you choose is the one appropriate for you at this particular time. The next time you walk the labyrinth, you may choose to walk it for a different purpose, and therefore choose a different way.

We ask that you take off your shoes when walking the labyrinth. We do so for two reasons: one, to preserve the wear and tear on the canvas fabric; second, to symbolically represent the fact that you are walking on holy ground, both outwardly in the Fellowship Hall of the church and inwardly within the holy ground of your soul.

At what pace you walk the labyrinth—fast or slow, stopping or proceeding steadily is according to the dictates of your needs. It is acceptable to pass others on the path and quite alright to step out of the lines to do so.

We invite you to view the walking of the labyrinth as a holy experience. Therefore, we suggest that you take a moment before entering the path to be in touch with your own breath of life. Pray. Listen to your breathing, clear the cluttered thoughts from your mind, and center yourself in the love of God deep within your heart. This is called “centering.” When you feel centered, begin your walk.

The labyrinth experience

Labyrinths are stress reducers. Neurologists state that if we concentrate for just one minute on something for which we are profoundly grateful, and truly feel the emotion of gratitude deep in our hearts, we can alter the stress in our lives. Doctors recommend that we do this five times a day. Walking the labyrinth is one way of changing the stress patterns of our lives and filling our selves with a greater sense of joy and fulfillment.

The labyrinth encourages choices and freedom; enjoy both. As you walk the labyrinth you will change directions many times; as you do so, allow your body. heart, and mind to make changes of direction as well. You may enter the labyrinth with a question. or silence, in your heart or mind; the choice is yours. The labyrinth may be used to problem solve, relieve stress, draw closer to God, experience the holy within, or share a pilgrimage with others.

We hope that you will come, bring your friends, and enjoy this ancient practice of pilgrimage, prayer, and praise.

However you walk the labyrinth, you may discover anew the blessings of God in your life.

River Road's labyrinth

The large purple labyrinth at River Road Church is a portable copy on canvas of the one originally laid in the floor of Chartres Cathedral in France in the 12th century. It is an eleven-circuit labyrinth with 112 lunations on the perimeter, which depict the cycles of the moon and radiate the energy of the labyrinth outward into the world.

River Road Church cordially invites you to experience a meditative walk. A special addition to our walks this season will be music by harpist, Cynthy Johnson.  Written material about the labyrinth’s history and symbolism is available for each walk. Bring a friend or come alone. We suggest that you allow approximately 45-60 minutes for the labyrinth experience.  Scheduled Walks for the year 2007-08 are:

Season of Advent     Monday, December 10, 2007
Christmastide          Monday, December 31, 2007
Season of Lent         Monday, February 11, 2008
Holy Week              Good Friday, March 21, 2008

For more information, please contact the church office.