I first learned about labyrinths when I lived in San Francisco, and walked the labyrinth at Grace Cathedral. It was a difficult time in my life, and the slow measured pace as you wend and weave along the paths to the center was calming, and helped put some issues into perspective.

After I moved back to the east coast, I lost the habit of labyrinth walking until this past weekend. I’m not sure what motivated me to do a search, but I found an outdoor labyrinth here in Auburn at Village Christian Church, and decided to pay a visit.

Around ten on a Saturday morning, I was the only person walking through the trees to the clearing where the labyrinth is constructed. Stone walkways lined with brick to mark the way. It was surprisingly quiet given the busy road on one side and housing on the other side. I cleared my mind and decided to focus on one thought as I walked – something never easy for me at the best of times.

It worked, in a way, and for the first few minutes, I found myself having to forcibly slow done. None of the quick walk I usually have when going from one place to another. For me getting the most from the labyrinth experience is a slow measured pace with just the birdsong, the soft rustle of leaves in the light wind, and the occasional bark of a dog.

On the return circuit back to the entrance. I realized the sun dappled patches of light and shade were very much like our lives. We cycle from the good times in the sun to the darker times in the shade, and then back again. In my own life I’m feeling that transition from a dark time to good.

It’s wonderful to feel the sun again.