Walking Labyrinths
Imagine a labyrinth at the entrance to a cave, in the nave of a cathedral, or under the sheltering canopy of an oak tree. Labyrinths have been used for millennia as pathways for purification and for initiation into the Mysteries. Some people experience the labyrinth as a journey to Jerusalem. Others see it as a symbol of Mother Earth or as a process of gestation and birth. Many consider it a means to personal healing or spiritual transformation.
As a former religious educator at a Unitarian Universalist church and an environmental educator at a National Wildlife Refuge, I have introduced people of all ages to labyrinths. Also, as an alumni of the Wisdom School of Graduate Studies at Ubiquity University, I have led students on transformative journeys through labyrinths. The following is my journey.
On a pilgrimage to Chartres in 2007, I fell in-love with labyrinths. While there, I walked the 11-circuit labyrinth in the cathedral, which unlocked a whole new realm of experience for me. Since then, my partner and I have created labyrinths in the sand, chalk labyrinths on concrete, and rock, string, rope, and masking tape labyrinths. Over the years, we have made 3-, 4-, and 7-circuit labyrinths, as well as triple-spiral labyrinths and one that we call a time spiral. We have also created many unique labyrinths, such as butterfly, medicine wheel, and guitar labyrinths. *
What I have come to appreciate is the fact that labyrinths are for everyone, including children in their noisy exuberance and adults slowly walking in silence. The labyrinth is full of possibilities for personal and communal expression.
Walking the labyrinth can be a pilgrimage, a prayer, or a meditation. It is a path for centering or healing, for contemplating or exploring, and for letting go or being. It can also be a focal point for group rituals and ceremonies.
For me, walking the labyrinth is often an experience of rebirth or renewal—an opportunity to see and experience the world, again, for the first time. My experiences are both inward and outward. Most importantly to me, they are about connecting with life in all its beauty, diversity, intricacy, and variation, and with all its joys, concerns, questions, and sorrows.
When I walk the labyrinth, I resonate with chi and feel one with a vibrant whole. I may sing, sway, chant, gesture, or dance. I may laugh, smile, or cry. One thing is for sure, there is no wrong way to walk the labyrinth.
In these challenging times, the labyrinth sustains me and allows me to send love, comfort, healing, and hope into the world. In this way, it is a balm—soothing and reassuring.
I am grateful for the gift of labyrinths.
Labyrinth in a Bag grew out of my yearning to walk labyrinths wherever inspiration may arise, whether in the woods, on a mountain, in a meadow, or in a gathering place such as a church, courtyard, or public park. The idea began with 220 feet of climbing rope that we cut into five-foot lengths. This allows people of all ages to easily build a rope labyrinth, one five-foot length at a time.
However, I wanted something even more portable that I could carry in a small backpack while hiking or in my luggage while traveling. So I bought some cotton cord (clothesline), cut it into pieces, and stored the 200 feet of cord in a gallon plastic bag.
On a trip to Mexico in 2015, my clothesline in tow, friends Cathy and Alex encouraged me to market my creation, which I did for several years. I dyed the cord orange (a color that Alex likes) and made a muslin bag with a labyrinth design.
More than anything, this was a way for me to share the wonders of walking labyrinths. Now you, wherever you may be, can use cotton cord to create a labyrinth just for yourself or with friends in mind. You may want to create one in a public place, like a park, then stand back and watch what happens. I find it very gratifying when others walk the labyrinths I create. The world would be a more peaceful place if everyone walked labyrinths.
Building a labyrinth is a prayer in itself. While it may at first seem complicated, it will become second nature in no time. I enjoy singing or silence while I build mine. I let my mood dictate the pace at which I build my labyrinth—slow and meditative, moderate and mindful, fast and efficient. You can build it alone or with friends. Any way you do it is fine.
*See the gallery for images of many different labyrinths.
I no longer produce labyrinths in a bag for sale. Please feel free to make your own labyrinth in a bag for personal or group use. Undyed cotton cord (clothesline) is easy to cut into 5-foot lengths and tie in a knot at each end. Enjoy!