Covenant's Prayer Labyrinth

Welcome to the Labyrinth at Covenant Presbyterian Church!

 

Walking the labyrinth is an ancient practice of “Circling to the Center”, a tool that may be used to help us put our lives in perspective and focus on all that is sacred. Labyrinths have been in use for more than 4,000 years and have been discovered on every continent except Antarctica. They are also found in all religious traditions in various forms throughout the world. 

 

There are many ways to describe a labyrinth. It has been called a path of prayer, a walking meditation, a crucible of change, a watering hole for the Spirit, a mirror of the soul, and a sacred journey. It represents a kind of personal pilgrimage and an intentional time to seek God.

 

As the path of the labyrinth winds through the turns, it becomes a reflection for where we are in our lives; touching sorrows and releasing joys. The labyrinth is a spiritual tool that many people use to grow closer to God, centering their souls and minds on the Holy One. 

 

The labyrinth at Covenant is modeled on one of the most well known labyrinth designs, called the Chartres pattern. It is a replica of the Eleven-circuit Medieval Labyrinth that was built into the nave floor of the Cathedral of Notre Dame de Chartres outside of Paris around the year 1200.

 

The labyrinth is not a maze. There are no tricks to it and no dead ends. It has a single circuitous path that winds its way into the center. The person walking it uses the same path to return from the center and the entrance then becomes the exit. The path is in full view, which allows a person to be quiet and focus internally.

 

As you enter the labyrinth, quiet your mind and become aware of your breath. Allow yourself to find the pace your body wants to go. You may want to consider the “4 R’s” as you walk: Remember, Release, Receive, and Return. (To download  a handout with these guidelines for walking the Labyrinth, please click here.). There is no right way or wrong way to walk a labyrinth. Do what feels natural.

 

You may want to walk the labyrinth without words, quietly sing to yourself, pray, or repeat a few lines of scripture. Use whatever means might help you to open yourself to God’s presence.  Make your Journey with an open heart and mind!

May you be nourished in your walk.