Labyrinth

St John's Labyrinth is outside and is therefore always open for use. You can find it near the office entrance of the church on 220 West 8th Street in North Vancouver.

About the Labyrinth

Labyrinths have been used for millennia by various cultures and faith traditions for meditative walking and prayer. Our Petite Chartres Labyrinth was designed by Robert Ferre in 2001 as an abridged version of the 13th century Labyrinth in Chartres Cathedral in France.

Unlike a maze, which has fasle turns and dead ends, a labyrinth has only one path, and it guides truly to the center. Walking the labyrinth is a pilgrimage in miniature. The sacred geometry with its complex pattern of tuns and reversals, invites us to let go and simply be with the path. As we release ourselves into the sacred circle we discover ease to calm our minds, open our hearts, and through the rhythm of the body's movement, encounter the presence of God.

People walk the Labyrinth for many reasons: sometimes in sorrow or in celebration; in anxiety or in peace; for births and deaths; with longings and intentions or for the simple joy of being.

Walking the Labyrinth

There is no right or wrong way to walk the labyrinth. However, there are generally three stages to the journey:

Preparing

• Take a few moments of quiet reflection before entering the labyrinth.
• Be aware of what it is that has brought you here at this time.
• Some people find it helpful to call to mind an intention or prayer that they wish to contemplate as they walk. 

Entering 

•  Begin walking at your own pace. Feel free to stop and start as you feel  drawn.
•  Remain as long as you like.
•  Listen for the spirit within the still places of your mind and rhythms of your  heart, in the breeze and in the earth.
•  Allow yourself time to receive what is given.

Returning

• Return along the path by which you came.
• Bring with you what you have received.
• Trust in Life's Sacred Spirit who heals and transforms you in the world.

 Please feel free to encounter the spirit of the labyrinth.