Labyrinth: The path less taken
What might we learn about ourselves, our values, and our goals if we took the time to pause and reflect?
Labyrinth is a multi-sensory walk that, in combining ancient reflective practice with interactive exercises, gives participants that time to reflect. On 26 June, Labyrinth came to Jesus in a collaboration between the Intellectual Forum, Agnus Consulting, and IF SRA Nick Chatrath.
After a brief introduction by a Labyrinth team member, who explained the concept and led participants in a short grounding exercise, participants entered the labyrinth. While everyone was free to walk the path at their own pace, participants were encouraged to consciously slow down and detach from the frenetic pace of day-to-day life.
There were ten pause points along the path, where participants were asked to reflect on specific aspects of their lives and, often, to leave small reflections behind. At one point, participants crafted six-word biographies of themselves to leave behind; at another, they wrote down the name and attributes of a person in their life whom they admired. These handwritten notes accumulated throughout the day, giving later participants yet another avenue for reflection.
Several participants planned to take what they had learned about themselves and their life priorities through Labyrinth into their lives going forward.
One committed that they would 鈥渞eflect more before decision-making and make choices that bring joy rather than for their perceived or superficial value鈥.
Added another: 鈥淚 will carve out more time for introspection, not just accept when things feel 'off' but question why and what is within my power to change.鈥
