Visit our Labyrinth We welcome guests to walk this community labyrinth as the sun peacefully edges above the eastern Carmel Valley hills, as it gently sets to rest beyond the coast to the west, or silently beneath the transluscent light of the full moon.   The Chapel Labyrinth   On Saturday, September 11, 1999 the labyrinth was formed in the CVCC garden using river rock and pea gravel. Several volunteers from the community joined chapel members in the process of creating this 7 circuit labyrinth. A simple ceremony to bless this space took place before the creation of the labyrinth, and the labyrinth was dedicated during the following morning worship. One might ask, "What is a labyrinth?"  A labyrinth is an interfaith, universal meditation and prayer tool. It is a single path that leads to the center.  To exit, one simply retraces one's steps back to the entrance. This can be a metaphor for one's own spiritual journey.  Going in represents a retreat from the physical world, the center symbolizes solitude with God, and the outward journey is a recommitment to action. It can be a simple walking meditation, or unspoken body prayer that uses body, mind and spirit. Unlike traditional meditation (immobile) the physical act of of walking helps to still the mind. "Why walk the labyrinth?"  One can walk the labyrinth in times of joy, in times of sorrow, for healing, for when one is seeking hope. One can seek release of cares and concerns.  One can walk it to receive clarity about one's life, to help make a decision. It can be a tool for celebration and thanks.  One can make it personal to one's unique situation.      

Walking a labyrinth is a body prayer.  It is non-threatening; all we are asked to do is walk.  Even those of us with the deepest inner divisions can do that.  Moving through the labyrinth, we can learn what it feels like to stand firm in the world.  We sense our feet firmly planted on the ground, our legs, pelvis, torso, arms, neck, and head flowing with the energy of life.                                                                 Dr. Lauren Artress

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