Loving the struggle
The first time I engaged in the spiritual practice of walking a labyrinth was when I was beginning seminary. My class traveled to a Catholic retreat center that had a labyrinth on its grounds. It was an 11-circuit, Chartres-style one with larger stones around the path and gravel on which to walk. After a brief explanation by one of our retreat leaders, we were released to give it a try.
I've walked a labyrinth many times since, with mixed results. In the times when I'm too conscious of what I'm doing, when I'm willing something to happen, I get nothing out of it. I'm just walking a bunch of twists and turns, and I'll have burned a few calories for my trouble. On the other hand, when I give myself over to the practice, when I free my mind and spirit and just let the path open before me, that is when I receive something from it.
This realization was clearest for me on one of the times I walked the labyrinth during my sabbatical in 2010. That day, before entering, I posed a question related to ministry at that time on which I was hoping for some direction. After a few moments, I began my walk.
