Labyrinth at St. Mary's, Kerrisdale
This past spring at St. Mary’s we expanded the hours our labyrinth is open to invite more participation. A long with that invitation, we would like to provide you with some information about the labyrinth. We will also include details about the hours the labyrinth is open and our upcoming Fall Equinox Celebration. Please come and join us on our journey!
The idea of the labyrinth began in ancient times and has become established as a metaphor for life's journey. The symbolic journey, with roots in Eastern and Western religions, takes the spiritual traveler into the depths of the self and then back out into the world. The labyrinth becomes a mirror for where we are in our lives.
A labyrinth, unlike a maze, offers only one path to take. In spite of its twists and turns there are no choices, only a path that leads to the center and then back out again. The path is in full view, which allows a person to be quiet and focus internally. There is no right way or wrong way to walk a labyrinth. Labyrinths are currently being used world-wide as a way to quiet the mind, find balance, and encourage meditation, insight and celebration.
The labyrinth walker can relax their mind as far as making decisions regarding their path. Attention is necessary because of the twists and turns. This state of awareness, combined with a relaxed mind, is typical of meditation.
Generally there are three stages:
- Releasing details of everyday life on the way in,
- Receiving or Illumination in the center: the place of meditation and prayer, and
- Returning or Union; that is, taking back out into the world that which you have received/ joining God and being strengthened for our work in the world
You are invited to use the labyrinth in any way that meets your need.
Walking the labyrinths helps you get out of your ‘thinking mind’ and get in touch with your deeper self. Insights sometimes occur when walking the labyrinth, drawing on an inner wisdom you may not tend to access in your day-to-day life.
The ongoing hours the St. Mary’s labyrinth are:
- Tuesday and Thursday 5:30 – 7:30pm
- Friday 11am – 1pm
- Sunday 11:30am – 3pm
On September 21 we are excited to present a Fall Equinox Celebration from 5-6:30pm (with labyrinth open until 9pm). The celebration will include a simple supper, written ideas for contemplation while walking the labyrinth, liturgical elements, and live music. With the equinox as the focus, we will explore ideas of light and dark, yin and yang, and equality. Please join us for this community event! For any updates or changes to the labyrinth hours or upcoming events, please call the office 604-261-4228 or check the website