Labyrinths – Grace Cathedral, San Francisco – Photo Friday
by Chris Christensen Add commentscategories: photography, usa
At San Francisco’ s Grace Cathedral people you will often see people slowly walking on one of two labyrinths in a contemplative fashion. There is one labyrinth outside and one inside the main sanctuary at the back of the nave of the church. A labyrinth is not a maze as there is only one path through.
The Labyrinth is an archetype, a divine imprint, found in all religious traditions in various forms around the world. By walking a replica of the Chartres labyrinth, laid in the floor of Chartres Cathedral in France around 1220, we are rediscovering a long-forgotten mystical tradition that is insisting to be reborn.
The labyrinth has only one path so there are no tricks to it and no dead ends. The path winds throughout and becomes a mirror for where we are in our lives. It touches our sorrows and releases our joys. Walk it with an open mind and an open heart.
Quiet your mind and become aware of your breath. Allow yourself to find the pace your body wants to go. The path is two ways. Those going in will meet those coming out. You may “pass” people or let others step around you. Do what feels natural.
I must admit that I have not found the experience as transformational as some friends I have brought to the spot.
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by Chris Christensen
Chris Christensen is the host of the Amateur Traveler. Chris left his day job in January 2010 to focus on consulting, podcasting and blogging . He was the Executive Vice President of Engineering and Operations for a company in Silicon Valley (LiveWorld) that runs online communities for companies like eBay, Marriott, American Express, Campbells, Kimberly Clark, A&E, and Mini Cooper.No Responses to “Labyrinths – Grace Cathedral, San Francisco – Photo Friday”
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Jim
Says:November 5th, 2009 at 11:42 pm
Are the 2 Labyrinth’s in the photo’s exactly the same design? They look like they are. Are there different patterns? Thanks.
Debbie Dubrow
Says:November 5th, 2009 at 11:54 pm
I knew nothing about labyrinths until my son discovered one outside the church in Santa Fe, NM. He was obsessed (though hardly contemplative) and had to run through it over, and over, and over.
…a great example of how traveling with the kids got me to go and learn more about something I would have ignored if left to my own devices
chris2x
Says:November 5th, 2009 at 11:55 pm
That’s a good question, I am not sure
chris2x
Says:November 5th, 2009 at 11:55 pm
Oh yes, I failed to mention that kids love them!
jessiev
Says:November 6th, 2009 at 9:28 am
love these labyrinths! gorgeous photos…
Dominique
Says:November 6th, 2009 at 12:57 pm
We’ve got an outside labyrinth that a local church added to their front year a few months ago. I’ve yet to go walk it, although I’ve been meaning to get over there
These look well placed for contemplation…our local one is along a busy main road, so we’ll see how that goes.
wandermom
Says:November 6th, 2009 at 1:07 pm
Holy cow, who knew!
I’ve passed that church a thousand times – and I’ve never even considered going inside. Strange because I’m an old-church-junkie when we’re traveling outside the US.
Thanks for sharing – adding to my to-do list for the next time we’re in SF.
Marina K Villatoro
Says:November 6th, 2009 at 1:10 pm
I didnt’ know the history behind labyrinths, and it is quite interesting, thanks for sharing
TheWordWire
Says:November 6th, 2009 at 4:20 pm
Interesting… I’ve never seen one, but probably wouldn’t be able to resist following the path. Thanks for sharing.
Amy @ The Q Family
Says:November 6th, 2009 at 6:40 pm
Very interesting. I could imagine myself walking that path on a crazy day just to calm my mind and relax.