With the generous donations of time, talent, love and
funds, many Retreatants and members of the Friends of the
Center gathered on the monastery grounds to construct this
Labyrinth. Volunteers from Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma and Virginia
gathered to work under the direction of nationally known labyrinth
builders, Stuart and Mary Bartholomaus, of Knoxville, TN. There are
various traditional designs, and we selected the design built into
the nave at the famous Chartres Cathedral in France.
History: Labyrinths, found in many cultural and spiritual
traditions, are being rediscovered worldwide today. The labyrinth is
an ancient spiritual tool used for prayer and contemplation. Its
winding walk in toward the center and out again symbolizes a
pilgrim's walk with God. It is a symbolic journey in the form of a
walking meditation.
The labyrinth has only one path which
leads to the center and back out again. Unlike the maze, there are
no tricks or dead ends. The spiraling path that takes us into the
center, and then out again, offers time for reflection on one's life
journey.
Prayer: The following are opening and closing
paragraphs of a suggested prayer before beginning the walk.
Creator and Guide of my
life,
surround me with your sacred presence as I prepare to walk
this Labyrinth.
Help me to experience the presence of all those
who have walked before me.
Remembering the words of Jesus, "I
am the way, the truth and the life,"
I ask that each person who
walks this path be guided in truth.
Bless their every step and
teach us to be paths for one another.
Written Guide: Please take a pamphlet from the
mailbox near the entrance of the Labyrinth. This guide has the
entire prayer, some information for walking, and a few suggestions
to enhance your use of the Labyrinth.
Location: We are located on Albert Pike
between Rogers and Free Ferry. Turn into our Service Entrance (1st
drive from Rogers, 3rd from Free Ferry), as the Labyrinth is located
on the south side of our campus. It is basically between the
building/garage (directly behind the main building) and our
cemetery.
Following are excerpts
from the Blessing and Dedication Ceremony
Creator and Guide of our Lives: May those who walk
this path seeking wisdom, find in you an abundant supply. May all
who come here seeking healing open their hearts to the medicine of
your presence. May those who come with guilt be set free of their
burdens and find a way to reconcile the past and walk into the
future with courage and renewed hope. May those whose faith has
grown weak find here a beautiful rekindling of their spirits. May
all who come as pilgrims seeking a glimpse of your face be touched
by your shining presence. May those those who come with hurried
steps, leave with a slower pace.
You who are our Sacred
Path, we ask you to hallow, bless and sanctify this labyrinth. Bless
our every step as you teach us to be paths for one another.
The labyrinth is a path of prayer--a spiritual tool to help
us become closer to God. We thank you, gracious God, for the many
hands and hearts that helped create this sacred path.
The
twists and turns of the labyrinth are metaphors for our own
individual spiritual journeys. As we seek your guidance on this
path, accept us, comfort us, and challenge us to be all that we can
be.
We do not always feel close to the Center. We do not
always know if we are on the right path. We know only that we always
stand in need of purification, transformation, and renewal. Be with
us on our pilgrim journeys.
