The labyrinth

WEEK 2

For this week’s first, I’m in San Francisco at Grace Cathedral to walk the labyrinth. I’ve lived in San Francisco for most of my adult life, and the labyrinth (there are two I learned) has been on my “should” list for a decade.

I was anxious walking from my apartment to Grace Cathedral, beautifully situated at the top of Nob Hill. I was worried I wouldn’t know what to do or where to find the labyrinth or that I would be a nuisance to others going about their daily practice. But if I don’t try this new thing, I’ll never know.

I enter the church and the labyrinth is directly in front of me! I am alone. 

I step onto the light-colored stone and immediately feel the mystery of the winding pathway. I look at my feet for guidance. The path is marvelous, curving unexpectedly, seeming to double back on itself. Wasn’t I here before? How will I get over there? It takes me nine minutes to walk to the center and back out again.

The pamphlet suggested I walk with an open mind, to quiet my mind and focus on my breath. I tried on my first walk but couldn’t shake the self-consciousness. I was too caught up in this being “new” and avoiding a constant stream of tourists taking photos.

I read there are three stages to walking: At the entrance you shed your thoughts, distractions and let go. When you reach the center, you are encouraged to stand, sit, meditate, reflect, open your heart and take in whatever it is you need or want to take in. When you turn and follow your same path to the entrance, you may feel renewed strength and clarity.

There is only one path. No tricks or dead ends, one way to the center and the same way back out.

On my third walk I had company, four others in the labyrinth, and the experience was noticeably more positive and contemplative.

I heard their footsteps on the stone, was aware of how their position on the path changed in relation to mine—it was all so dynamic. We’d be far apart then in only a few steps right beside each other but on different parts of the path heading different directions. I’d meet one of them coming toward me on the same path, and we’d step around one another. We moved in different rhythms all with space of our own, yet sharing one path. I loved it.

What I loved more was the labyrinth outside in the meditation garden. It felt more human to be outside, with sounds of nature, the city, kids playing, the sun and the air.

I learned that labyrinths have appeared in many cultures since ancient times and the path at Grace Cathedral is a replica of the labyrinth laid in the floor of the Chartres Cathedral in France around 1220. For many, walking the labyrinth can be spiritual, it can calm the mind or even be celebratory.

This was a first I will do again.