Walking familiar patterns in new places
Labyrinths as tools for circumambulation, reflection, and meditation
A labyrinth is a journey to the center but it is not a straight path, it winds and doubles back, curving around the center and leading the walker away from and back toward the center in the walking of concentric circles. It’s a great example of circumambulation.
This sort of movement provides a wonderful metaphor for the creative process. Creating doesn't proceed neatly from point A to point B. It winds, circles back, and can seem to take forever - a maker may move close to completion only to discover another option and take things apart again to try a new form.
At times, it can feel like you are in a maze, but a labyrinth will always lead to the center - you can't get lost. The challenge is to persist and keep going even when it feels like you are just going in circles.
Often, the greatest challenge is getting started. When the path winds or it becomes unclear that we are making progress, staying the course becomes the new challenge. What is important is just to keep moving, because even when it seems you are just doubling back the same way you came, you are still always moving toward the center, you are part of a larger pattern and journey.
Chronicling My Courtship with Creativity
Finding a labyrinth in a new place is like finding an old friend, a conversation partner for my walking, a portal for pause and reflection. The patterns of the paths are similar but the surroundings are always new.
I have walked this labyrinth in Cleveland a several times. It is only steps from one of the hotels where we stay. It wasn’t until my visit this month that I realized my previous walks have all been early morning or late evening, quiet times in the day. The neighboring hospital always has comings and goings, but this garden has been empty except for my presence on previous visits.
This time, I arrived closer to noon and first noticed how sunny it was. I had second thoughts about walking in the bright sunlight but still felt a draw to visit the space. The biggest surprise was seeing how this labyrinth is part of a center for gathering, moments of pause, and conversation for the hospital community.
The paved labyrinth formed the center of an enclosed garden; several times, groups walked across the labyrinth en route to a space with tables for lunch in the corner. Mostly, they passed on the edges at opposite sides from where I was walking . One young man in scrubs came through in a hurry; our paths met just as I turned a curve. We both paused to yield, waving each other on; he insisted I go first and I continued my meditative walk as he paused for another second and then continued his purposeful stride. It was a lovely reminder of connection even as our paths and purpose in walking were so different in that moment.
I have noted before how different it is to get to walk a labyrinth with a group of people. This time, it was interesting to note how it was to walk a labyrinth in a space that also serves other important centering functions for a community. My sense was that this space was much more familiar to those around me than to me. It is a space where they work, connect, offer, and receive care.
When I decided to walk, I felt a bit vulnerable. What would these people think of me just arriving and walking in circles here? Would I seem strange? Would anyone join me or ask about what I was doing? I considered leaving but then felt it was a way to gently challenge myself to be in my own space. I noticed that although I was in a central space within this garden, I was in no way the center of attention. Others continued in their conversation, their solitude, their rest, their lunch, and their travel between places. I was free to be in my space as well.
It felt like a way of joining in this city, this place, and with these people who might live and work here, be passing through, or visiting like me.
I’d love to hear your experiences too.
Are there familiar places or settings you like to visit in new places?
How does walking help you orient to new places and communities?
Labyrinth Resources
This site is a great resource for finding a labyrinth to walk in your community:
The labyrinth pictured above and in my last newsletter is located at St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church.
If you are interested in a handheld labyrinth to support your own practice, you can find my labyrinth touchstones and notecards and stickers featuring a labyrinth design on my etsy site. For the touchstones, I am offering two new glazes, pictured below.
Thank you for reading and being a part of creative community through this newsletter.
With a grateful heart,
Kathryn
Kathryn, I loved your thoughts on labyrinths and creative practice. They gave me hope today in my own "walk with creativity." Thanks friend!