You’re always welcome to pray the outdoor labyrinth at Prairiewoods. Walking the labyrinth is a powerful, embodied prayer experience. I love this particular prayer form and have had a unique experience each time I do it.
I remember years ago, the first time I walked the labyrinth at Prairiewoods, I actually felt some discomfort. Am I doing this right? Have I made a wrong turn? Will I ever make it to the center? Will I ever make it back out!? How long is this going to take? I don’t think I have enough time for this! I remember actually walking off the labyrinth before completing it that first time because I felt uncertainty and because I hadn’t given myself enough time to really let the experience unfold. Even so, that first time was a powerful experience. I was drawn to the labyrinth as a metaphor for our spiritual journey through life, and I knew I would try this prayer form again and again. I knew I needed to let go, to trust, to give myself time—however much time I needed—and I needed to be open to the journey.
I have opened to the prayer form and to the journey. And I’ve realized, there is no right way to pray the labyrinth. My experience is my experience, and that’s perfectly fine. Sometimes I walk very slowly, sometimes my pace varies. Sometimes I am barefoot, feeling the texture of the sand and reveling in the warmth of places open to the sun, and then appreciating the contrast and coolness of the places shaded by trees. Sometimes I linger in the center, feeling the breeze and opening to the birds and the lushness of the forest and prairie as part of my prayer. I love the way the weather and the seasons add to the prayer experience. In winter, sometimes the way is not obvious and we make our own spiral and path in the snow. Sometimes I see footprints of people and hoofprints of deer in the sand, and I’m reminded that I walk life’s spiritual journey with others. I love walking the labyrinth in autumn as the colorful trees surround the labyrinth and individual leaves find their way to the path, reminding me of ripening and change and the cycles of life. Sometimes I pray with a certain question in mind, and sometimes I walk with a wordless prayerful intention.
I’ve been thinking about Sister Betty a lot—wise woman, beloved foundress of Prairiewoods, subtle and powerful mentor of mine. She of course saw my interest in the labyrinth and pointed out the section in the library where I would find books and prayers and reflections on the labyrinth. I remember opening a lovely little green book where I found several labyrinth prayer questions. One that really touched me was this: If you could offer one spiritual gift or service to the world, what would it be? I practically ran to the labyrinth to walk this prayer. Another question for prayer that I love is: How does Mother Earth care for me and how do I care for Her? Sometimes I’ll walk through the woods with these prayers, when I’m not near the labyrinth.
How about you? If you could offer one spiritual gift or service to the world, what would it be? And, How does Mother Earth care for you and how do you care for Her?
—Angie Pierce Jennings, Prairiewoods hosted groups and hospitality coordinator