Another way to pray...Walk the Labyrinths of Unity
Outer Walk…Inner Journey
The labyrinth is an archetypal symbol of wholeness tat invites one into a transformative prayer experience. Walking this mystical path is a personal pilgrimage to spiritual wholeness.
Labyrinths have an ancient history dating back 4000 to 4500 years. Over the centuries, Christian pilgrims and others have engaged in the prayer of the mind, body and heart that the labyrinth offers.
There is no right or wrong way to walk the labyrinth. Walking the path is a personal experience and opportunity for a “closer walk with God”.
A labyrinth has only one path. It is unicursal. The way in is the way out. There are no blind alleys. The path leads you on a circuitous path to the center and out again.
At its most basic level the labyrinth is a metaphor for the journey to the center of your deepest self and back out into the world with a broadened understanding of who you are.
Our Unique labyrinths
We have two unique labyrinths designed by Anne Eagle Walker and built by Unity members, especially for Unity of Toledo. Contact Anne at 512-299-2422 or by email at
Aneaglewalker@Hotmail.com.
The Earth and Sky Labyrinth
The Earth and Sky labyrinth in the west corner of the parking lot is a version of the Santa Rosa Labyrinth. The Santa Rosa was designed by Lea Goode-Harris in 1997. Like the Santa Rosa, our Earth and Sky Labyrinth is a seven circuit labyrinth divided into four quadrants and includes a unique space on the fourth circuit inline. Called the “heart space” this area is not walked but serve as a sacred vessel for holding symbols of one’s issues, needs or celebrations. Looking at the path, you will realize that this “heart space” is approached from all four directions, allowing the walker to view his/her symbols from various points of view.
Eagle’s Path Labyrinth
Based on the classical Baltic type labyrinth our Eagle’s Path labyrinth incorporates the Angel Garden. A relatively simple reconnection of the upper part of the classical seed pattern produces a unique feature at the center with separate entrance and exit paths. Existing for at least 3500 years, the archetypal labyrinth design, from which our design comes, consists of a single pathway that loops back and forth to form six circuits, surrounding a center. Practically all labyrinths prior to the first few centuries BCE are of this type. Found in historical contexts throughout Europe, North Africa, the Indian sum-continent and Indonesia, this is also the design that occurs in the American Southwest and occasionally in South America.
Walking the Labyrinths
There are three main movements in a labyrinth walk:
Moving in toward the center
Being at the center
Returning from the center
Moving Inward:
On the way to the center, try to quiet your mind; let cares and concerns slip away. You may feel a sense of surrender, of letting go, of releasing.
Being at Center:
At the center, make yourself comfortable. Sit, stand, kneel, etc. as you feel moved to do so. In the center find a place of rest, illumination and inspiration. Open your heart and be receptive to your feelings and intuitions, stay in the center as long as you like.
Moving Outward:
Returning from the center, take with you what you gained at the center – new ideas, fresh insight, forgiveness, healing, thanksgiving, a greater connection with God and bring it with you into the world.
After you walk, take time to be still and contemplate, journal, paint, draw, sing, etc.
If you meet others on the path, simply step off the path and let them pass with a silent blessing. People walk the labyrinth at their own pace. Should the person walking in front of you be walking at a slower pace, simple pass that person. If you get lost, just pick a spot and begin to walk again.
Thank You for Sharing the Journey with us.
Please call the church office if you would like more information about our labyrinths, wish to schedule a group walk, a workshop or a presentation.
Labyrinth Resources and links
World Wide Labyrinth Locator has been designed to be an easy-to-use database of labyrinths around the world. Find one near you.
http://Wwll.veriditas.labyrinthsociety.org
Labyrinth Society exists to support those who build, design, use and care for labyrinths.
http://www.labyrinthsociety.org
Labyrinth Books
The Sacred Path Companion by Lauren Artress
The Complete Guide to Labyrinths by Cassandra Eason
Labyrinths, From the Outside In: Walking to Spiritual Insight, A Beginner’s Guide by Donna Schaper & Carole Ann Camp
