Labyrinth
What is it?
The labyrinth at St. Paul’s Anglican Church is a replica of the labyrinth laid in stone in the floor of Chartres Cathedral in France.
The labyrinth is a spiritual form that is open to people of all faiths and spiritual disciplines as a resource for meditation, reflection, and prayer.
People come to walk its winding path for countless reasons. For many, it is a way of centering themselves or of seeking insight during times of transition in their lives. For others, it is a channel for relating to the Divine.
Many religious traditions have some form of walking meditation. Labyrinths have appeared in many cultures. One of the best known forms of labyrinth is the seven-circuit classical or “Cretan” labyrinth of Greek mythology.
Labyrinths are often confused with mazes. Mazes are games or puzzles intended to confuse and trick the mind. Labyrinths have only one path that leads into the centre and back out again. It will never try to trick you, never divide, and never present you with a dead end. The most basic advice for walking a labyrinth is
“Trust the Path.”
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New Year’s Eve a BIG Success!
Almost 400 people walked the Labyrinth to mark the new year. The Labyrinth Guild and the Labyrinth volunteers organised an amazing event that provided a profound spiritual backdrop as we moved into 2012. Thank you to Kira Van Deusen (whose story telling was quite exquisite), Ross Bliss (who once again provided wonderful music), Naomi Rozell, Lynn Westwood, Les Blydo, Sally Hull, Alison Beaumont, Jo Anne Tharalson, Coll Thrush, Rose Desrochers, Sharon Connaughty, Anna Bernhardt, and Barry Goheen.
Thank you also to all attendees and we hope to see you again Dec 31, 2012!
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January – June 2012 Programming
Friday, January 27th, 7:00 – 9:00pm Music by Theda Phoenix
Friday, February 24th, 7:00 – 9:00pm Walking to music by David Yates (didjeridu)
Friday, March 9th, 7:00 – 9:00pm Workshop by Kira Van Deusen – “Labyrinth Soundscapes” (workshop details below)
Friday, March30th, 7:00 – 9:00pm Walking to clarinet by Johanna Hauser
Friday, April 27th, 7:00 – 9:00pm Walking to keyboard and voice by Sandra Dawn
Friday, May 11th, 7:00 – 9:00pm Workshop by Anna Bernhardt (workshop details to be announced)
Friday, May 25th, 7:00 – 9:00pm Walking to cello and voice by Kira Van Deusen
Friday, June 29th, 7:00 – 9:00pm Walking to harp and flute by Judy Henry
2nd Fridays (except March 9 and May 11, see above), 7:00 – 9:00pm Walking to recorded music
As always, we are open for walking
Tuesday – Friday (8:30 – 9;30) with no music,
Saturday mornings (10am to 12Noon) with recorded music,
and Sunday mornings (9:30am – 12:30pm) with recorded music.
Workshop by Kira van Deusen – “Labyrinth Soundscapes”
Friday, March 9
Come and play with vocal and rhythmic sounds to enhance your walk! Making our own sounds encourages relaxation and image-making in a non-verbal way.
Offering our sounds to nature or to individuals and to the world’s trouble spots is a great way to send healing while giving to ourselves at the same time. It may also lead to creation of personal or group labyrinth rituals.
The group activities will last about 45 minutes and then the labyrinth is open for walking, with or without sounding! No musical experience necessary — just bring the voice you have!
St. Paul’s Labyrinth officially launches its own dedicated YouTube channel.
Currently, they present two new videos for sharing:
1) Introduction to St. Paul’s Labyrinth
This short video introduces the history and community offerings available at St. Paul’s Labyrinth, since opening in 1997. Share a glimpse of this ancient practice of reflection, healing and celebration with your friends!
2) Music for the Labyrinth
Kira Van Deusen performs three improvisations for solo cello recorded at St. Paul’s Labyrinth. Kira is featured regularly at the labyrinth as a music performer and storyteller and is also a certified Veriditas labyrinth facilitator.
Open to the ocean, mountains, trees and sky, these labyrinth events will connect inner spirit to the earth and the Divine in the grandeur of the natural world.
Summer Solstice is a liminal time in the natural world. An extraordinary time, “betixt and between” spring and summer, the longest day of the year in the northern hemisphere. As such, it is an opportunity for the spiritual traveler to seek and find a better understanding of life and receive a vision of things that could be.
On Sunday, June 19, 2011 from 2 to 4pm and/or Tuesday, June 21, 2011 from 3 to 5 pm, journey with others at Spanish Banks in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada and celebrate Summer Solstice 2011.
For directions to the labyrinth location, please see walkingalabyrinth.blogspot.com
The Second Friday Evening of Every Month
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Our Portable Labyrinth
Labyrinth at St. Paul’s Rental Rates and Guidelines
Our portable labyrinth can be rented for use by your group for workshops, retreats, observing an important anniversary, or for many other occasions. We believe that the labyrinth is a powerful mediation tool that can enhance both team-building and community-building.
Our portable labyrinth is the classical design on a 28 ft. (8 metre) square canvas. The canvas is divided into three pieces, which are then fitted together with Velcro. It comes in two luggage cases with wheels and can be fitted into the trunk of most cars for transportation.
The rental fee is $100 for each day of use, plus a $100 deposit that will be returned to you when the labyrinth is brought back on time and in good condition. There is no fee charged for the day of pick-up and the day of return.
If you are interested in borrowing our portable labyrinth or would like more information, please phone the Labyrinth Office: 604-685-6832 (x17) or email Labyrinth at St. Paul’s Anglican Church.