IGB Christmas Eve Labyrinth Walk: Unorthodox Walks #3

December 24, 2020
02:00 pm - 03:00 pm

This Christmas Eve Labyrinth Walk is a synchronised but geographically dispersed group walk punctuated by a series of simple readings and prompts. The hope is to make space for some reflection and fresh air on Christmas Eve.

This ‘unorthodox walk’ is a bit different than our previous walks, as it is based on the ancient spiritual practice of walking a ‘labyrinth’. If you are lucky enough to have a labyrinth or maze near you, you could use that. Or you could use the streets in your neighbourhood or a park walk for this. Choose a short route (10-15 minutes) with a centre point that you could repeat 3 or 4 times (Scroll to the bottom to read more about Labyrinths).

You can do this walk on your own or with someone else, if you fancy sharing the experience together. You can also choose to do this Labyrinth reflection from home using this ‘finger labyrinth’ resource:

https://www.wellfedspirit.org/welcome/spiritual-practices/labyrinths/ewExternalFiles/Finger%20Labryinth%20Guide02.pdf

All you need for this creative walk is a smartphone (if you’re with others you only need one smartphone) and to join the IGB Unorthodox Walks Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3514205868638924

The walk will begin at 2pm on Christmas Eve, 24th December. You choose your starting point. Creative instructions will be posted up in our Facebook group at 15-minute intervals. This will result in a roughly 60-minute synchronised but geographically dispersed group walk. (You can do the walk later if the timing doesn’t work for you.)

You are encouraged (but not required) to share your creative discoveries (via photos and sound recordings) in the IGB Unorthodox Walks Facebook group after the walk is completed.

Taking part in a walk like this means you can slow down and notice features of your local environment you might have otherwise missed or taken for granted. In fact, you might find yourself heading home afterwards, as our friend Andy Howlett says “with heightened senses and a renewed alertness to the fantastical eruptions of the familiar.”

So join the IGB Unorthodox Walks Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3514205868638924

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Labyrinths are found in many spiritual traditions. In Chartres Cathedral in France there is a tile labyrinth built in the 1200s. It was a place for a symbolic pilgrimage when it was too dangerous to travel to Jerusalem. Walking the labyrinth is about mindfully reflecting on our journeys and on the path God has led us thus far and will lead in the future.

It is a time of noticing our footprints on the journey and looking to the road ahead. As you walk your labyrinth look back over this year and allow your mind o linger on the people, places and events that come to mind. Notice the presence of God in it all… in the ordinary and extraordinary.

(This Labyrinth Walk is based on a resource originally created by Rhona Knight.)