The Labyrinth
In July 2025 a colleague of mine invited me to an event hosted by the Regina Women’s Network. We gathered at the local Safeway and drove thirty minutes out of town to Hi Lo Angus Farms where our host, Erin, treated us to a special meal featuring their very own beef.
Following the dinner, she took us outside to an area of her yard that was hidden behind a large flower garden. Inset in the lawn were bricks laid out in the shape of a labyrinth. According to Google AI “a labyrinth is a single, winding path that leads to a central point, often used for walking meditation and spiritual reflection.” See photo above for an example.
Each of us, in turn, entered the labyrinth and walked the narrow grassy path between the bricks. Erin had encouraged us to think of something in our lives we would like to release as we entered the labyrinth and made our journey towards the center. As I walked, I was always turning a corner, moving in the shape of the circle, covering the entire circle, yet always moving forwards. Eventually I reached the center where eight chairs awaited us and we were welcome to have a seat and reflect. On the ground in the middle was a bowl of water and we each had a tiny piece of paper on which we could write down what we wanted to release. We each put our paper into the bowl and the paper disappeared. When we were done, we left and began the walk out, following the path and eventually leaving the labyrinth.
Once we were all finished our journey in the labyrinth, we gathered as a group to share our thoughts and one lady remarked how being in the labyrinth was like being in a maze. Our gracious host, Erin, interjected saying that while a maze can be confusing and has dead ends, the labyrinth has only one path with a clear entrance and exit and no dead ends.
As I pondered this, I realized the labyrinth could be a metaphor for life.
· The journey may seem complex with lots of turns and you may even feel like you are walking in circles, but if you keep moving forward you will eventually arrive at your destination.
· The journey may involve many changes in direction.
· The journey is slow – walking speed only. There is no running around or rushing the process.
· Journeys allow time for reflection and letting go of things.
· Sometimes there is only a single path forward; the key is to keep moving.
· Journeys don’t have dead ends; they have turns and redirections.
· Journeys take time – be patient and don’t rush the process.
That evening was very memorable and the labyrinth gave me a reason to think and ponder on how it relates to life…how it relates to my life.
Have you ever seen or been in a labyrinth?
How might the labyrinth be a metaphor for your life?
Which of the points above resonate with you?
Recommended Resources
Article by Alex Pattakos – “Life and the Labyrinth of Meaning” – https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/the-meaningful-life/202111/life-and-the-labyrinth-of-meaning
Monthly Challenge
Find an image of a labyrinth (one with one entry/exit point), print if off and trace it with a pen, reflecting on something you can release when you get to the center.