INTRODUCTION
I was first introduced to the spiritual practice of walking the labyrinth during my chaplaincy residency as a CPE student at a hospital (California Pacific Medical Center) in San Francisco. The hospital had a labyrinth at its entrance and my cohort of chaplain students and I walked the labyrinth every Friday before heading home at the end of the week. Many years later, my spouse, an Episcopalian priest, informed me that the Modern Labyrinth Movement actually started in the 1990's at San Francisco's Grace Cathedral, where she got ordained.
When I started leading Spiritual Care Support Groups in my current work as a chaplain, I looked for a wisdom story about the labyrinth so that I can introduce the spiritual practice to my patients. Unfortunately, I found none. The only story that I am aware of is Jim Henson's 1986 film, The Labyrinth, of which I am a fan. At first I tried to translate Jim Henson's lovely mythology into a shorter story, simplifying it to its bare bones. But still, I found certain characters getting in the way of the intent of the practice. I simplified the story even further focusing on the three R's (release, receive, return), and came up with the story below. For more information about the practice of labyrinth walk, here are 3 links:
I was first introduced to the spiritual practice of walking the labyrinth during my chaplaincy residency as a CPE student at a hospital (California Pacific Medical Center) in San Francisco. The hospital had a labyrinth at its entrance and my cohort of chaplain students and I walked the labyrinth every Friday before heading home at the end of the week. Many years later, my spouse, an Episcopalian priest, informed me that the Modern Labyrinth Movement actually started in the 1990's at San Francisco's Grace Cathedral, where she got ordained.
When I started leading Spiritual Care Support Groups in my current work as a chaplain, I looked for a wisdom story about the labyrinth so that I can introduce the spiritual practice to my patients. Unfortunately, I found none. The only story that I am aware of is Jim Henson's 1986 film, The Labyrinth, of which I am a fan. At first I tried to translate Jim Henson's lovely mythology into a shorter story, simplifying it to its bare bones. But still, I found certain characters getting in the way of the intent of the practice. I simplified the story even further focusing on the three R's (release, receive, return), and came up with the story below. For more information about the practice of labyrinth walk, here are 3 links:
THE LABYRINTH (by Chaplain Donnel)
There was once someone who found herself embarking on a quest to find the center of the labyrinth. For it was said that at the center of the labyrinth holds the gift of healing.
Labyrinths are not easy to journey through - there are many many twists and turns. The person traveling could easily get lost, become disoriented, become overwhelmed, and get stuck.
This person was at the entrance gate of the labyrinth. The rule of the ancients was that the only way to enter the labyrinth was to let go of the heavy weight of her worries and fears. So she took a deep breath, paid attention to her thoughts, she paid attention to her body. Then she took another deep breath, and then let go.
When she was able to let go of her thoughts of worries, she was able to enter the labyrinth. Indeed, the traveler went through numerous twists and turns. And she became disoriented. But each time this happened, she intentionally focused by staying in the present moment. She paid close attention to where she was. Take it one step at a time, one breath at a time, one twist and turn at a time. By staying present one step at a time, one breath at a time, she avoided feeling overwhelmed. She was able to move on in relative calm.
There was once someone who found herself embarking on a quest to find the center of the labyrinth. For it was said that at the center of the labyrinth holds the gift of healing.
Labyrinths are not easy to journey through - there are many many twists and turns. The person traveling could easily get lost, become disoriented, become overwhelmed, and get stuck.
This person was at the entrance gate of the labyrinth. The rule of the ancients was that the only way to enter the labyrinth was to let go of the heavy weight of her worries and fears. So she took a deep breath, paid attention to her thoughts, she paid attention to her body. Then she took another deep breath, and then let go.
When she was able to let go of her thoughts of worries, she was able to enter the labyrinth. Indeed, the traveler went through numerous twists and turns. And she became disoriented. But each time this happened, she intentionally focused by staying in the present moment. She paid close attention to where she was. Take it one step at a time, one breath at a time, one twist and turn at a time. By staying present one step at a time, one breath at a time, she avoided feeling overwhelmed. She was able to move on in relative calm.
However, now and then there were moments during the twists and turns that she did get stuck. Sometimes she got stuck in worry, fear and anxiety. When this happened, she received help from a kind guide who helped her get unstuck. The kind guide would give her the tools she needs to remain present - the kind guide would remind her to walk one step at a time, one breath at a time.
After many more twists and turns, finally she arrived at the center of the labyrinth, she paused. She took her time. At the center of the labyrinth she opened her heart and mind, and with patience, the gift of healing eventually came. She received the gift of healing in the form of a deep spiritual insight. This insight gave her some clarity, meaning and purpose.
After receiving the gift, she was now ready to walk back out of the labyrinth. But one question remains: How can she integrate in her life the gift of healing that she had received? As she walked out of the center of the labyrinth, in each step she paid close attention as to how she might embody this gift. She envisioned how she could put this gift into concrete practical action.
Eventually, she realized that an important key to her healing journey was one particular action, which is that while she might have found some peace within herself, through her meaning and purpose, the main work of her healing is to share this peace with others. Part of her healing is to love, support and guide others who, like herself, are struggling through their twists and turns in life.
After many more twists and turns, finally she arrived at the center of the labyrinth, she paused. She took her time. At the center of the labyrinth she opened her heart and mind, and with patience, the gift of healing eventually came. She received the gift of healing in the form of a deep spiritual insight. This insight gave her some clarity, meaning and purpose.
After receiving the gift, she was now ready to walk back out of the labyrinth. But one question remains: How can she integrate in her life the gift of healing that she had received? As she walked out of the center of the labyrinth, in each step she paid close attention as to how she might embody this gift. She envisioned how she could put this gift into concrete practical action.
Eventually, she realized that an important key to her healing journey was one particular action, which is that while she might have found some peace within herself, through her meaning and purpose, the main work of her healing is to share this peace with others. Part of her healing is to love, support and guide others who, like herself, are struggling through their twists and turns in life.
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
- Which part of the story did you find the most important? Which part of the story resonated with you?
- What could the labyrinth really be? What could the twists and turns really be?
- What experiences have you had that is close to this story?
- Where do you find yourself in this story? Which part of the story is about you?
- Notice times when you felt disoriented, overwhelmed and felt stuck?
- Who helped you get unstuck?
- What gift of healing or wisdom do you need right now?
Guide for Facilitators of Spiritual Care Groups
Leader's Guide
Participant's Guide
Quadratos & Tools
Our Twists & Turns
Art#1
Art#2
Reflection
Examples
Labyrinth Short Doc
Labyrinth Locator
Participant's Guide
Quadratos & Tools
Our Twists & Turns
Art#1
Art#2
Reflection
Examples
Labyrinth Short Doc
Labyrinth Locator
