The Labyrinth - A Walking Meditation in Palos Verdes

Today I had the pleasure of introducing a meditation practice to a new friend. The "walking labyrinth" is a spiritual took used for meditation, prayer, and personal reflection. My favorite labyrinth is located on the grounds of the The Neighborhood Church in Palos Verdes. Imagine Spanish style church grounds replete with wrought iron fences, manicured gardens, fountains, a walking bridge, and the most amazing view of the Pacific Ocean and California Coast line. There is plenty of inspiration to draw upon, plenty of benches to sit quietly and reflect. On a day filled with sunshine, a light breeze and the sound of crashing waves, this active form of mediation can be a refreshing practice for body and soul.

A Catholic writer describes their spiritual significance in this way: "The labyrinth is a universal symbol for the world, with its complications and difficulties, which we experience on our journey through life." The labyrinth is an ancient practice in which there is only one path leading to the center. (Not to be confused with a maze which has many paths meant to confuse and confound.)

How does one walk the labyrinth? It's as easy as putting one in front of the other and following the path. Walking paces vary. There's no worry of doing it incorrectly. Sometimes the practice clears the head, provides a way to unwind or to reflect on intentions or seek a solution to a problem. When you enter the labyrinth, you begin to meander back and forth creating literally creating shifts in views and figuratively in perspectives. In reaching the center, it is typical to stop to pray or linger to think quietly. When leaving the center, and returning to the beginning, you usually feel lighter.

Amazingly, the labyrinth is an old practice which spans many cultures and regions and some references date back thousands of years ago. Labryinth images have been found on rocks and tiles, on pottery and baskets, and in Medieval churches. The medicine wheel in Hopi culture used the labyrinth as a symbol for “mother earth”.

I was introducted to the labyrinth almost 10 years ago and find it to be a very calming, mind-clearing and rewarding practice. I was very pleased to introduce this form of mediation to a new friend.

On a humorous note - we had walked down to a lower balcony and continued our meditation practice past dusk and into early evening. We realized all too late church gates had been locked. Thank goodness we successfully scaled the church fence and laughed at our circumstance.