Written material on the labyrinth path

These paragraphs were placed at intervals on the labyrinth created by LOPE and run at Grace for the first time in November 1997. They were later incorporated into St. Paul's Cathedral labyrinth. The authors are Brian, Kevin and Ana Draper.

The inward journey:

As you move towards the centre of the labyrinth begin by confessing and letting go of things that hinder your relationship with God. This stage is also about shedding images or projections of yourself so that you can be real with God. Let go of what other people think you should be, their expectations of you, their projections. As you journey, empty yourself, peel away the layers - grow by subtraction. Prepare your inner self - the you of you - to meet with God.

Think of hurtful things people have done or said to you. Draw a symbol or write a word to describe this....

Jesus said, if you let go of the hurtful things people do to you - so God will also let go of the hurtful things you do. Carry the symbol with you for a while as you journey...

Think carefully. Are you willing to 'let go' of the things people have done or said to you? If you are, place the symbol in the bin and let go of it as god lets go of the hurtful things you do.

Think of things you do - patterns of behaving that you know are harmful to your relationship with God, others, yourself or planet Earth. Draw a symbol or write something that symbolises those things.

If you are honest with yourself and God, if you really want to let go of these things... "If we confess our sins God is faithful and just and will purify us from all unrighteousness." (1 Jn 1v9) God will help you to move on. Carry your symbol for a while and think about it.

Look at your symbol. Do you want to take it with you? Or do you want to let it go? If you want to let it go - throw it in the bin. Let it go and move on.

Read the passage from Douglas Coupland's book and think about what you would do if the power failed. (Pg 100ish in 'Polaroids')

The centre of the labyrinth:

At the centre of the labyrinth is that point where we symbolically meet with God. Please spend some time here. Relax. Enjoy God's presence. Meditate on God. Commune with God.

The outward journey:

As you journey back out of the labyrinth take your encounter with God with you. Reflect on how this encounter might affect or change you. John said that God became flesh and blood and moved into the neighbourhood - think about how you might allow God to be made flesh in your life and in your neighbourhood.

Walk through the stones. Feel the sandpaper. Stand on the cotton wool. Feel the texture. In what ways does this remind you of your journey?

What boundaries do you need to pass through?

Which of your abilities are you neglecting?

Look around and notice. Even though they may be at different stages, others are on this journey too.

As you approach the end of the labyrinth think about God who has been the host for this part of your journey. If God asked you to fill in a guest book - what would your comments be? Please fill in the book with your response to God, your host.