Labyrinths
in Omaha
Over the centuries labyrinths have taken many forms. This is the
classic seven circuit form.
To begin with, labyrinths are not mazes. What distinguishes a labyrinth from a maze is the fact that a true labyrinth is unicursal, that is it only has one path as opposed to a maze that is multicursal and has multiple paths, intersections that force you to make decisions and, dead ends. That difference makes the labyrinth work for meditation: all you have to do is stay on the path and you will always get to the center. That frees your mind... but ironically keeps it busy walking the path.
The labyrinth at First Central Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, is exactly one-sixth of a mile from the entrance to the center. By the time you have finished walking that far with your eyes down, carefully negotiating the seemingly endless turns--you finally reach the center--and find that your mind is now empty, or at least far from where it was when you started your mini pilgrimage. You don't even have to know how to meditate, and you might be surprised by momentarily forgetting how to think.
Anthropologists have found the labyrinth concept in many, many cultures from all around the world and dating back at least four thousand years. About eight hundred years ago, the labyrinth was important enough in Christianity (probably as a substitute for a pilgrimage to the Crusade ravaged Holy Land, but maybe because Western culture was beginning to feel the effects of the separation of the mind from the body) to be permanently installed in at least seven cathedrals in Europe.
About ten years ago the labyrinth was revived in Christianity and now is popping up all over. The reason might be that it is very hard to experience the peace of "nothing" when we have almost everything... or have a pager, a cell phone and a palm pilot with us--every waking and sleeping moment.
Some claim the labyrinth is "New Age," and others say it is a "pagan influence," and still others point out that it obviously has a Christian history. In fact, they are all correct and we don't think that is a bad thing. The labyrinth can not be confined to any of these narrow perspectives any more than Buddhism "owns" meditation, or the Roman Catholic church "owns" saints and angels. The labyrinth is simply a very ubiquitous and reliable way to enter a state of meditation.
Maybe you can't imagine what walking in circles has to do with your spirituality, but try walking a labyrinth--they can be found here (in Omaha), or there, and some other places.
Here are some labyrinth links:
The eleven circuit labyrinth at Chartres Cathedral is sort of a Christian classic.
First Central
Congregational Church has an almost exact replica on their patio. It
is available 24 hours a day.
Portable labyrinths are useful. The Knowles Mercy Center at Waterloo has a 24 foot carpet of the the La Rosa labyrinth that is available.
Want your own labyrinth? Robert
Ferre' has on-line plans to paint
your own canvas.
And if you want to paint a temporary labyrinth on the grass, you can click here for our on-line directions.