A little something about the labyrinth at Grace Cathedral:
Several people have asked about the labyrinth, so here is a little
more information. Several years ago the pastor of Grace Cathedral walked the labyrinth
in Chartres Cathedral. She was so impressed by the feeling she got when she
walked it that she came back to San Francisco and wanted to build one at Grace
Cathedral.
The labyrinth is a centurys old device to help one meditate, pray,
and get in touch with one’s own feelings. It can be any size and is a spiral
pattern laid down on the ground. One enters the labyrinth at a designated spot
and follows the path which goes in a circle, often doubling back on itself
before continuing on. When you reach the center of the circle there is a space
to stop and reflect and recover before retracing your steps to spiral back out
of the circle. Traditionally there are seven or eleven circuits.
So, in Grace Cathedral, which is a very large church, built in
1928 in the French Gothic style, they have built an inlaid permanent limestone
labyrinth on the floor at the back of the church. It is one of the first things
you see when you enter the church. Prior to that they had one made of canvas (I
think the Methodist Church in Santa Monica has one of those), and then one of
tapestry. Both were heavily used and wore out rather quickly.
You are asked to make a donation if you want to enter the church
and walk the labyrinth. They also have a terrazzo labyrinth on the front patio
of the church, but right now they are doing some construction on the entrance
of the church, so it is covered up.
A special note - there is also a labyrinth at the Seattle Center in Seattle. It is painted into one of the many patios and seems heavily used - unfortunately, mainly by kids playing on it! But, I did see one lady who seemed to be mediating.
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