Walking a labyrinth is one of my preferred spiritual practices. Over the years there have been times when walking a labyrinth has led me to clarity about a troubling or perplexing issue. Step by step I have been led into moments of peace, wrapped in a sense of calm.
A labyrinth, regardless of its location, inside the Chartres Cathedral in France or an untended weedy outdoor labyrinth in my own neighborhood, is a gift of sacred space and walking it is a chance to move deeper into contemplation and reflection.
At least that's been my experience, but that is not always the case. Just ask children.
Sunday during our congregation's education hour all ages had a chance to participate in a variety of activities to dream together about a project to renovate our sanctuary space. Walking a labyrinth was one of those activities--a chance to experience and to reflect on sacred space.
That was the intention anyway.
The kids had other ideas as they romped into the room, flung off their shoes and crashed over the labyrinth's threshold.
Instead of walking the labyrinth, why not race the labyrinth! Run the labyrinth! The labyrinth became a playground. A source of exuberant energy.
"I bet I can get to the center before you do."
"I'm going to go backwards."
"Beep, beep, I am passing you."
"Wait a minute, I thought this was a maze, but I didn't get lost."
They zoomed along the circuits. Who knew a white path on the floor could be so much fun, and yet that is exactly what happened, and I loved it. Occasionally a sedate adult walked the labyrinth in the midst of the speed and the noise, but the kids had taken over and contemplation was replaced with clamor.
Fine by me!
The labyrinth is not meant to be mysterious or exclusive or confusing. Instead, this meditation tool with its single path leading into and out of a warm and spacious center is meant to be welcoming, whether one needs solace or a time-out or a reminder that we are not just mind and spirit, but body, too. The kids definitely rejoiced in their bodies on the labyrinth.
This may have been a playful time, but when I have led elementary aged children on more structured labyrinth experiences, I have seen them turn down the volume and the speed. I have seen them relax as they followed the path and then sit quietly in the center. One girl told me she liked walking it because her house was never quiet and she liked being quiet. Wow!
As they get older, thanks to this fun experience with the labyrinth, perhaps they will be drawn to the more contemplative nature of this spiritual practice. Perhaps the labyrinth will become one of their spiritual practices, an accompaniment on their own spiritual journey.
May it be so.
An Invitation
Have you walked a labyrinth? What was your experience? I would love to know?
The last two Sunday mornings I have introduced the labyrinth to Sunday School children--4th graders one week and 2nd graders the next. I introduced the labyrinth as a way to feel, know, and open to the presence of God and as a reminder that God is with us every step of our journey.
First, however, I asked them if they had ever walked a maze. And everyone had. They eagerly shared experiences of getting stuck, taking a wrong turn, and needing to back up and start again. One child said she got scared and wondered if she would ever get out of the maze. How many times have we experienced that same panicky, lost feeling?
Then I explained the difference between a maze and a labyrinth. In a labyrinth there is only one way in and once you reach the center, you follow the same path out only in reverse. And then it was time for them to experience a labyrinth. I asked them to remove their shoes, and then we played follow the leader and a version of musical chairs--more like a stop and go game. They were surprised by all the twists and turns of the labyrinth and how long it took to get to the center, but no one got lost.
Finally, it was time for them to walk the labyrinth as a walking meditation. I reminded them to be silent as they walked and to try to walk slowly, slower than they normally walk. That was hard for many of them, especially the 2nd graders. That may be hard for you, too.
But here's what they said when we talked about what they experienced. "Calm." "Peace." One 4th grader said, "I liked the quiet. I got to think about things and I can't do that in my house." A 2nd grader said something similar. I don't know their situations, but I know for many of us feeling calm and peaceful is rare. And, of course, I wondered how many young people need more of that in their lives. Many, I suspect.
Here's what I noticed. Both mornings, most of the children finished walking the labyrinth fairly quickly. I asked them to sit quietly along the side of the labyrinth while a couple remaining children finished walking. I expected that to be a challenge for them, but instead, they were not only respectful of the last walkers, but they seemed to absorb and radiate more calm. The energy in the room changed, and they realized it.
For many of the children this Sunday morning experience may be a one time thing, but perhaps for some this will lead them to walking the labyrinth as a spiritual practice in the future and will be a reminder that we are not alone. God is with us on every step of our journey.
An Invitation
Have you walked a labyrinth? What did you experience? I would love to know.
NOTE: Saturday, May 5 is World Labyrinth Day. To find out about labyrinth opportunities in your area check here.
If you live in Minneapolis-St Paul, Wisdom Ways is offering a tour of labyrinths in the area. Check here for information.
Walking a labyrinth is one of my preferred spiritual practices. Over the years there have been times when walking a labyrinth has led me to clarity about a troubling or perplexing issue. Step by step I have been led into moments of peace, wrapped in a sense of calm. 
Instead of walking the labyrinth, why not race the labyrinth! Run the labyrinth! The labyrinth became a playground. A source of exuberant energy. 
