July 2010

Vacation or Pilgrimage?

Traveling with Spirit and Purpose

"When you set out on a trip, study your map, but be prepared to be guided by your spirit as well." - Marlee LeDai

pil·grim·age (pĭlˈgrə-mĭj), noun. A journey to a sacred place or shrine. A long journey or search, especially one of exalted purpose or moral significance. 

Pilgrimages in ancient times were often tied to holy or religious sites. In modern times, tourists make visits to historical or cultural sites such as Graceland, Stonehenge or New York City. We visit and take photos, buy souvenirs and are entertained with exhibits, tours and Broadway shows.

When asked how he would begin to affect change in the world in response to global crisis, the English biologist Rupert Sheldrake said "I would change tourism into pilgrimage, help tourists become pilgrims." In other words, he would encourage mindful and compassionate participation through visits to new places in order to bring about greater global unity and peace. In her book Walking a Sacred Path , Lauren Artress discusses the difference between pilgrims and tourists: "The pilgrim participates. The tourist observes." She writes that the labyrinth at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco "was not just a symbol for pilgrimage [as the Chartres Cathedral labyrinth was in the Middle Ages in Europe for medieval Christians]--we were providing sacred space for anyone seeking transformation. We were providing a destination for modern pilgrims." Grace Cathedral, now with its outdoor and indoor labyrinths and Interfaith AIDS Chapel, provides a place for people to visit, walk the labyrinth and participate in an open and inclusive community that welcomes visitors from all over the world. Grace beckons all those who visit to reflect, share, and be present in the moment in its sacred space.

I was fortunate to pick up a book titled Go Girl (finding adventure where your travels lead) before my last visit to New York City with my husband. Go Girl  provides travel tips, daring quotes and further insights along the theme of pilgrimage. Its spirited encouragement to participate in an adventuresome way sparked an idea to visit labyrinths on our NYC trip. Using the Worldwide Labyrinth Locator, I found twelve labyrinths within a five mile radius of our Times Square hotel. We only had time to visit and walk three of the labyrinths, but choosing to spend our time in that way brought us to neighborhoods, parks and churches that we wouldn't have otherwise seen. Walking the labyrinths transformed us from tourists into pilgrims. In an inner city park where a labyrinth was painted on concrete by the playground, I skipped the labyrinth as children might do. At an Episcopal Cathedral, I knelt solemnly to meditate on the labyrinth in a columbarium. At the Museum of Modern Art, I mused over spirals and labyrinths I saw in art through the ages. And yes, we still took pictures and saw a Broadway show, but I felt more connected and transformed by my visit by making pilgrimages to visit labyrinths while we were there. 

Labyrinths offer an immediate source for grounding and understanding yourself and a particular place, and an opportunity to be transformed when you walk with an open heart. Labyrinths can be found all over the US and all over the world. The Worldwide Labyrinth Locator is a great way to find labyrinths wherever you visit. 

I would love to hear your stories of making pilgrimages to labyrinths during your summer vacation this year. Please email me at myra@laughingflowerlabyrinth.com if you are interested in sharing your story with me or with others.

Resources:

1. Worldwide Labyrinth Locator, www.labyrinthlocator.org
2. go girl (finding adventure where your travels lead), by Marlee LeDai
3. Walking a Sacred Path, by Lauren Artress
4. The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language

 "The landscape is shaped by the consciousness of the person who crosses it." - Holly Morris

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50 Labyrinths Series Continues

Join us for "Labyrinths from AL to WY: 50 Labyrinths/50 States/50 Days" on Facebook

Starting June 1st, 2010, The Laughing Flower Labyrinth & Landscape Co. began featuring a series with information about a different labyrinth each day from each of the 50 United States on our Facebook page. The photo featured here is from Lake Forest Hospital in Illinois.

Click on the Facebook button below to review the series, and join in on the fun...it's been a great way to see new labyrinths made from all kinds of materials, and to see the creativity from all states in the Union.

If you have a labyrinth from your state that you would like featured, please email a photo, description and location to myra@laughingflowerlabyrinth.com. We'll be going in alphabetical order and need only a day's notice to post your request.

Feel free to post your own photos or comments any time! Input is always welcomed and appreciated, as the page strives to be a place for sharing labyrinth and gardening tips, events, and quotes.

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NYC Pilgrimage Photos

If you are interested in seeing a few of the photos from our pilgrimage to NYC labyrinths this winter, please visit the Laughing Flower's Facebook Page. A link to the album was posted today.

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