Labyrinth at New life
The outdoor Labyrinth at New Life Presbyterian Church in Albuquerque is an example of the eleven-circuit labyrinths.
The outdoor labyrinth measures approximately sixty feet in diameter and is made from almost 60 tons of material. The base is grey crusher fines with the lines being marked using rose-colored stone. The two paths leading to the labyrinth use the same base material and are lined with eight-inch cobblestone rocks. Students and parents from Covenant Presbyterian Church in College Station, Texas came to help us build this labyrinth in the summer of 2003
How does it work
The proportions of the labyrinth are based on sacred geometry—ancient knowledge that is expressed through architectural forms. The proportions of the labyrinth are designed to bring rest, order, comfort, and harmony to the mind. In moving through the labyrinth, the chattering, worrying “monkey-mind” becomes occupied with the action of following the path, leaving the intuitive, deeper levels of awareness free to be explored and engaged. There are other symbolic approaches to walking the path: seeing it as a metaphor for life, experiencing it as a journey into darkness and back again; regarding it as a path to meet with God or a higher power.
how do I walk it?
There is no single way to walk a labyrinth. One way is to allow the mind to empty into silence; another way is to quiet the mind, then allow it to be open to any images that may come to you.
A third way is called the Three-fold Path which results in a greater sense of relationship with the divine.
Relax: The path into the center is a time to let go of thoughts, worries, and emotions as you allow your mind to empty and become quiet.
Illumination: A sense of clarity and insight is often found in the center of the labyrinth. The center is a place of meditation and prayer. You may find it useful to meditate on the meaning of the petals of the rosette at center. The rosette represents the Holy Spirit or Holy Mother. Starting from the leftmost petal and moving clockwise, each petal corresponds to a level of creation, or spiritual evolution: mineral, plant, animal, human, angelic, and unknown. You are welcome to sit or stand in one of the petals or in the center of the rosette for as long as you wish.
Union: A sense of communion with God, or Spirit that can begin as you leave the center and start the walk out of the labyrinth. This is also a time for being empowered to live out in the world the insights you have received during your walk.
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Labyrinth Etiquette
If you meet someone going in the opposite direction while on the path, you can step to the side or pause in the labyrs (the purple double-ax symbol that gives the labyrinth its name) in order to allow that person to pass. If you want to stay focused on your inner experience, do not make eye contact. It is all right, however, to smile or even touch hands with friends or loved ones as you pass them!
