If you have ever been in the YMCA parking lot you may have noticed an odd grouping of bricks and gravel at the southwest corner. Looking at it you may not know exactly what it is for but get a little closer and you will see there is a definite pattern. The outer bricks form the shape of a circle, and inside the bricks make a maze-like pattern.
It is a Labyrinth designed to help combine spirit, mind and body.
Labyrinths have been used for centuries as sacred spaces and are found in nearly every religion.
Unlike a true maze, which is designed to be unclear and difficult to navigate, a labyrinth really has only one path towards the center, and one path out. Unlike the world around us, the path of a labyrinth is unambiguous.
When you walk a labyrinth you follow the meandering path. The speed at which you travel is totally up to you. The biggest thing to remember when walking a labyrinth is that ‘finishing’ is not the point. Remember, unlike a maze there are no tricks so this is not a puzzle. It is the journey along the path that allows your mind to open up and can be a type of walking meditation.
Each time you walk the path you have a different experience. Some people enter a labyrinth with a specific question in mind. Others just use the time to let the mind quiet down for a few moments.
The time in the center of the circle can also be a symbolic space for praying, receiving, or reflecting.
The journey out of the circle can be used to integrate what was learned on the journey in with that from the center.
Of course, for many, walking a labyrinth is less about profound personal realizations and is just a nice time for a pleasant walk.
However you decide to use the labyrinth, it can be an enjoyable experience. A short break from a hectic life using a slower pace and no difficult choices.
The YMCA labyrinth is open to the public. Feel free to stop by and try it out today!
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