Why? What are they? And where can I find one?
Ringing doorbells, singing cell phones, (in my case, croaking frogs!), buzzing alarm clocks, whistling tea kettles, four-beep alerts for the next incoming text message, barking dogs, crying babies. Laundry, groceries, cooking, cleaning. Off to the doctor, dentist, sick and well-baby appointments. By evening, it’s Meet the Teacher night, and, don’t forget…parent-teacher conferences are just around the corner! Birthday parties, play dates, pumpkin patch field trips, and here come the holidays! Violin, dance, gymnastics, and piano lessons. And, best of all, our beloved Kindermusik days!
When and how do we stop, or even slow the pace of wonderfully active and full child-raising days, long enough to take an essential and restoring breath? How do we experience some sense of balance and the renewal necessary to sustain physical and emotional health amid the many stressors of our contemporary times, whether the stress be lots of very good things, or difficult challenges?
For me, sixteen years ago, in busy years of parenting a teenager and young adult, labyrinths and many a labyrinth walk found its way into my life. I suspect that they are here to stay as I continue to experience the welcome tool they have become for resting, feeling my heart rate slow, noticing creativity and clarity, and for pleasure… feeling the warmth of sun on my face, or the coolness of sand beneath my feet. For just taking deep, slow breaths in my own gratefully, active life.
So, what is a labyrinth and where are they found? Labyrinths are ancient symbols of wholeness, giving purpose and meaning to their circular path, and are often seen as a metaphor for life’s journey. Unlike a maze, a labyrinth has only one path leading from its entrance to its center, and back out by a winding route. Labyrinth patterns date back at least 4,000 years, and can be found in places as diverse a Peru, Arizona, Iceland, Crete, Egypt, India, Sweden, England, and France.In the current resurgence of labyrinths, they are found in places of worship, hospitals, parks, cemeteries, prisons, in schools, business settings, (Wall Street, NY!) and in backyard landscapes. They are walked for rest, renewal, calming, problem solving, creative brainstorming, free expression, and for fun and delight!
In these crisp, clear, sunny, autumn days, perhaps a labyrinth walk will be in your path with its invitation to rest and breathe… deeply. Enjoy the nurture for yourself. And, be prepared to skip, hop, run, and jump if in the company of your children, as they delight in the joy of being on the path with you.
LOCAL LABYRINTHS:
(No appointments at any are necessary. If you spot others, please share in the comments section!)
- First Covenant Church- 2700 72nd St., Urbandale (just a few blocks south of our Urbandale location): The Reconciliation labyrinth– north west corner, near to parking lot.
- Glendale Cemetary- University and 56th St., Des Moines: Located at highest point, and easy access to walking path to new Franklin Avenue Library which has a great new children’s section!
- Heartland Presbytarian Church- 14300 Hickman, Clive (less than 3 miles east of our Waukee location): Large installation, just off parking lot.
- Prairiewoods Retreat Center- Hiawatha, Iowa: a sand labyrinth experience.
- Soul of the Prairie- Hubbard, Iowa: three labyrinths and a retreat center on a century-old family farm.
- The Labyrinth Society: http://labyrinthsociety.org/
- Paths of Peace: www.pathsofpeace.com
Coming Soon… Part 2: Labyrinth research/ Kids on the Path, Stories and Resources for Children… The Ladybug Labyrinth!
-Posted by Linda Christensen (a.k.a. Mrs. C)
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