The Labyrinth at Gainesville First
Solvitur ambulando.
“It is solved by walking.”
St. Augustine of Hippo
How To Walk A Labyrinth
A labyrinth is not a maze. There is just one path with no dead ends and no decisions to be made. Simply trust the path and allow your feet to follow it. Some walk fast and some walk slow. Some pause along the way. Many find it helpful to pause before entering the labyrinth to be fully present to the experience and to pause again before exiting to be aware of stepping back into the world.
While there is no correct way to walk a labyrinth, there are 3 stages:
Releasing (Walking In)
Let go of thoughts and distractions as you open your heart and quiet your mind.
Receiving (In the Center)
Pause for prayer or meditation for as long as you like. Receive what is there for you to receive.
Returning (Walking Out)
Follow the same path out as you came in incorporating or reflecting on what you have received on the journey
Note: Every walk will be unique. Do not try to force an experience. Allow it to be what it will be.
The more you practice walking meditation, the more natural the experience will become.
About Labyrinths
Labyrinths appear in almost every religious tradition and have been used for at least 4000 years. The earliest known Christian labyrinth was inlaid in a basilica in Algeria in the 4th century. In the 12th century when pilgrimages to Jerusalem became too dangerous, the Roman Catholic Church established “pilgrimage” cathedrals to allow pilgrims to symbolically journey to the Holy Land. The center of the labyrinth in the floor of one of these cathedrals represented Jerusalem. The labyrinth in the cathedral in Chartres, France is the best remaining example of such a pilgrimage cathedral.
Labyrinths have been rediscovered in the last fifty years as people have again experienced the benefit of walking meditation. The rhythm of walking, placing one foot in front of the other, as you follow the circuitous path to and from the center has a calming and centering effect on the mind, body and spirit that opens our hearts to God. The labyrinth invites us to experience God’s presence with our whole selves – heart, mind, and body.
Indoor Labyrinth
Our indoor labyrinth is set up on an occasional basis in our Adult Lobby.
The entrance to the Adult Lobby is the on the south/lake side of the church.
If you would like to know when it will be available, please send a message to
info@gfumc.com to be added to an email list.
Outdoor Labyrinth
Our outdoor labyrinth is a 5 circuit medieval style labyrinth.
It is painted in our upper most parking lot.
To find the labyrinth, turn from Thompson Bridge Rd onto Dunlap Landing Rd.
Look for a sign at the 3rd parking lot entrance on the right.
This labyrinth is available to the community at all times.
Our hope is that the Labyrinth will be a helpful prayer tool
and a resource for healing and spiritual growth.
For more information or to be placed on an email list with labyrinth updates,
please contact info@gfumc.com