Our Labyrinth at Trinity Cathedral

The focal point of our courtyard garden is a paved replica of the Labyrinth of Chartres Cathedral.

Although labyrinths may remind us of the mazes many of us enjoy puzzling over, there is a fundamental difference between the two:

A maze is one-directional, leading you in at one end and out at the other, with false paths and dead ends to confuse you along the way. A labyrinth has only one path, leading to the center, which must be followed out again. A maze is a test of intellect; the labyrinth, a spiritual journey.

To many, the labyrinth seems like just another fad of New Age spirituality. In fact, the Cathedral staff were amused to find that some of the bricklayers assumed it was supposed to be a landing pad for alien spaceships! In fact, the labyrinth is a tool for meditation that developed during the Middle Ages, a new take on the many, often-forgotten ancient expressions of “sacred geometry” that utilize both form and physical activity to enhance meditation.

Originally built as a symbol of unity and spiritual journey for those who could not make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, today’s labyrinths are used in as many ways as there are individuals who walk them. Some begin by walking the twists and turns of the path with no expectations, allowing the experience to speak for itself. Others bring a problem they wish to work on, finding that the physical discipline allows the subconscious to bring forward the answers within.

Still others use the labyrinth as a tool for meditation, using a simple phrase like the Jesus Prayer (Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, have mercy on me, a sinner) to center themselves and listen to the still, small voice of God.

However the individual chooses to approach it, there is no denying that the labyrinth is a powerful metaphor of our human existence and spiritual journey. We begin on a straight line that, in our limited vision, at first appears to go immediately to the center - but then there is a turn! The path seems narrow and may be a struggle to follow; we adjust our steps to it and make the turns carefully - at some time later, however, we may realize that we are no longer uncomfortable, and may even have further streamlined our steps by placing one foot in front of the other.

When we reach a long stretch of path, we can lift our heads and see the “big picture”, reassuring ourselves that we’re headed in the right direction and that we will eventually reach our goal. At other times, we must pay strict attention to the path so as not to lose our way. When we reach the center, there is peace and rest; we enjoy the moments and reflect on the journey. Then the pull of the world may be felt, and we know that we must journey outward - yet, the journey is lighter, shorter, as we make our return, because we take with us the peace that passes all understanding.

The labyrinth speaks to all of us in different ways at different times. We hope that you will allow it to speak to you, and often!