| Labyrinth |
"The labyrinth provides the sacred space where the inner and outer worlds can commune, where the thinking mind and the imaginative heart can flow together." - Lauren ArtressCome walk the labyrinth at CPC on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month. The labyrinth is located in the lower Fellowship Hall. Enter through the Hyland Ave. doors and follow the signs to the Fellowship hall located downstairs. A labyrinth is... a winding path that leads to a central space and then out again by the same path.
The labyrinth is not a maze. Unlike a maze that is designed to confuse you and is full of dead ends and obstacles to overcome, a labyrinth is designed for you to find your way with no wrong turns or dead ends.a wondrous pathway that may become a mirror for our own lives and metaphor for our spiritual journey. a circle and a spiral, each a powerful and ancient symbol of unity, wholeness and transformation. a tool of spiritual growth, healing and transformation of heart, body, mind and spirit. a spiritual discipline of setting one foot in front of the other and following a path. a calling forth of our intuitive symbolic mind and creative meandering spirit. a deeply healing container where we can touch our joys and sorrows. Walking the PathOver the centuries, people have patterned their labyrinth walk in this way:Going in--releasing
Seek to quiet your mind, soul, heart and body. This is a time of letting go, of releasing, of emptying, of cleansing. Arriving at the center--receiving Enter the center with an open heart and mind. Come to this place of rest, prayer and reflection. Sit, stand, lay down—stay a long while or a short while. Seek illumination and inspiration at the center of the labyrinth, the center of ourselves, where we commune with God. Going out--returning When you are ready, walk out the same path you walked in. Carry your unique experience out into the world. It may be a refreshed spirit, renewed vision, calm, peace, gratitude, understanding forgiveness... A Simple WayAs you enter the labyrinth you may find it helpful to pause at the threshold, offer a prayer of thanksgiving for this time, and set an intention for your walk. It could be as simple asI come to...
As you leave the labyrinth, ponder what touched you, inspired you, challenged you or surprised you. A prayer of thanksgiving may also seem an appropriate closure to this time. You may also wish to let the experience unfold as it will.experience the labyrinth
center in my deepest self pray and seek God’s wisdom enjoy the movement of my body seek God’s guidance with a decision clarify my thoughts/feelings honor a transition in my life release a memory, despair or grief express gratitude to God ask a question "The metaphors within the labyrinth are endless because they are shaped by our creative imagination - whatever our psyches need to deal with becomes the spiritual lessoneof the labyrinth." -Lauren Artress* Special thanks to Westminster Presbyterian Church from Dayton, Ohio. Much of this labyrinth page content has been borrowed from their website.
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Collegiate Presbyterian Church
159 N. Sheldon Ave., Ames, IA 50014
phone: 515-292-2063
fax: 515-292-2065
email: cpcames@cpcames.org
159 N. Sheldon Ave., Ames, IA 50014
phone: 515-292-2063
fax: 515-292-2065
email: cpcames@cpcames.org
"The labyrinth provides the sacred space where the inner and outer worlds can commune, where the thinking mind and the imaginative heart can flow together." - Lauren Artress
"The metaphors within the labyrinth are endless because they are shaped by our creative imagination - whatever our psyches need to deal with becomes the spiritual lessoneof the labyrinth." -Lauren Artress