The labyrinth is located at the top of the driveway in the triangular space denoted by the Box-hedge.

A concerted effort was needed to clear the area of the strong grass cover - it was much harder to achieve than we anticipated.

Wooden edging was put in place, thanks to John and his team, preparatory to laying the first base layer of road sand.

Once the base layer was down the bricks denoting the pathway were put in place.

With the bricks in place, a top layer of sand was delivered, spread between the bricks and again ‘thwacked’ down to provide a firm pathway for people. 

The beautiful tree in the centre has been protected by allowing an area around it for water to penetrate. 

Our design has slowly consolidated and will provide many metaphors for people to use as they walk our labyrinth. 

Furniture for the centre and other ‘bits and bobs’ will appear over time and will hopefully be an expression of the people who are captured by the potential of our unique space. 

It is hoped that we will have six small bench seats denoting the six petals in the middle of Chartres Cathedral labyrinth, which in turn relate to the six themes of the Lord’s Prayer. But let’s wait and see what people imagine once they start to use this space.

So ..... continue to ‘watch the labyrinth space’, wander in and experience it as it changes and grows.  

The Procession to the Labyrinth

On Sunday 24th June, 2012, we celebrated the 35th birthday of the Uniting Church in Australia, the 6th birthday of our new Worship Centre and the blessing of The Labyrinth.  

Rev Chris Cohen explained the meaning and significance of the Uniting Church logo.  Tilly explained the many uses of the special space created in the labyrinth. 

The congregation rings the labyrinth
for prayer and the blessing

The celebration of being able to offer to our congregation and the wider community a place to go to just ‘be’  

WALKING THE LABYRINTH

There is no right or wrong way to walk a labyrinth. Use the labyrinth in any way that meets what you need. Children enjoy the labyrinth too. You will often see them laughing and running the path. Generally there are three stages to the walk: releasing on the way in, receiving in the centre and returning when you follow the return path back out of the labyrinth. 

Symbolically, and sometimes actually, you are taking back out into the world that which you have received in the centre. 

As you move through a non-linear labyrinth you lose your sense of where you are in the pattern and may enter into a pleasurable state of timelessness. Some people find this type of surrender particularly relaxing and refreshing. 

To prepare, you may want to sit quietly to reflect before walking the labyrinth. 

Some people come with questions, others just to slow down and take time out from a busy life. Some come to find strength to take the next step. Many come during times of grief and loss. 

For some people, walking the labyrinth is life changing. For others it is subtle. Some people don't experience anything the first time. And for some people this is not their way of prayer, and that's okay. 

There are many ways to describe the labyrinth. It is a path of prayer, a walking meditation, a crucible of change, a watering hole for the spirit and a mirror of the soul. 

To the person who has never walked the labyrinth before -- just relax and enjoy yourself, their purpose isn't to confuse (it isn't a maze), but to create a soothing experience and to let the journey and not the centre be your ultimate goal.

The labyrinth is a safe territory for many who feel they are unravelling at the seams, it is a place to order chaos and calm the frightened heart. Walking the path back out of the labyrinth is a time for deep reflection, meditation, realignment and a deeper knowledge of the Self and a chance to consider what it might mean for your daily living.

You are not going to find an easy answer to a problem, but you may discern the way to deal with it. Walking the labyrinth is not a journey for a specific group. Walking the labyrinth is meant as a way for people to lay out their lives.

There's one way in and one way out.  It's showing you the way to centre yourself ... how to be in solitude, turn off the media and go back to the simplicity of walking the path. 

Notes from board at Grantville Uniting Church in Australia campsite labyrinth space.