Z. A LABYRINTHIAN JOURNEY

Our individual journey can be confusing and complex. This figure, called a labyrinth, has been helpful to me. The Chartres Cathedral in France, built in 1220, has a labyrinth on its floor design. 

Labyrinth

St. Mary's Cathedral in San Francisco* has two, one within the walls of the cathedral and one on the grounds outside available to everyone. It is a trail you can walk. At first glance the Labyrinth may appear to be a maze with puzzling alternative turning points, many of which lead to dead ends. But a labyrinth actually has no dead ends. It is one continuous path that does eventually end up at the center, which represents life's ultimate objective or Truth or spiritual fulfillment or God or whatever. Nevertheless, the path of the labyrinth often feels confusing. If you trace the path you'll notice that at first it moves you directly toward the center, but soon you turn off to the left and later to the right. At one time or another you'll move in each of the four directions. It takes time and you can take all the time you need. 

I believe the figure is a faithful representation of everyone's life journey with many turns and many changes of direction before the center is finally reached. The center is represented by an unfolding rose which expresses something of the inexpressible peace that comes when the Ultimate is reached. But then one is encouraged to retrace their steps to the beginning to invite others to undertake this adventure. That's my invitation to you. 

A spiritual leader by the name of Virginia Westbury has said that "The meaning of the labyrinth has changed over time, but perhaps the enduring truth is that it contains no one truth. Ambiguity, tolerance, acceptance of many beliefs, of variety and change are ironically the the messages of a pathway which is not multiple, but singular. That contradiction is the secret of the labyrinth. "One in the many and in the many, one." 

The ideal way to walk the labyrinth is when others are doing it at the same time, as I did. It lends an important dimension to the experience. You'll make way for others you encounter on the way, even though you may not make eye contact with anyone. Still there is a sense of community with others who are making their own voyage.  As you walk this labyrinth there are no choices to be made. If you trust and follow, you go into the center and come out again. It's an experience I recommend.


*  St. Mary's Cathedral in San Francisco commissioned Tim to create a sculpture for the nave for the Pope's visit in 1986. It was not approved by the hierarchy before the Pope came and went, so the sculpture is installed in Helena.  -Ed.


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