How to Create a Labyrinth

Labyrinths were designed centuries ago as meditation tools or part of a spiritual process. Walking the path leads to meditation and a connection with a higher power. You may find answers as you walk or simply a sense of peace at the middle. Labyrinths are built from a variety of products and may be designed for a garden or on a whim.

Instructions

1. Give yourself plenty of room. Most successful labyrinths are more than 50 feet long. Choose a place that is sheltered from weather or plan on rebuilding your labyrinth periodically.

2. Design your labyrinth. Draw and plan it out on paper first. While the Chartres Cathedral labyrinth near Paris (duplicated outside Grace Cathedral in San Francisco) is the most famous, it's also very complex. In the beginning, it may be easier to stick with a simple labyrinth that has a center circle with loops around the outside. Once you've built a couple of labyrinths, feel free to get more complex. There are many websites devoted to the designs of labyrinths and how to build them.

3. Choose a method for creating the labyrinth. Outline the labyrinth with various sized rocks, use stepping stones (this is good for a simple labyrinth) or paint on concrete to lay out the path. You can also use wood, twigs or even plant hedges. Create a simple one using your weed whacker in overgrown fields. Use your imagination to create a labyrinth path that fits your personality.

4. Measure carefully. If you make your labyrinth too small, you won't want to walk it and your meditation time will be wasted.

5. Consider the creation of your labyrinth part of the meditation and the process of using it.

Resources

• Go to Laying out Labyrinths for more information about designing a labyrinth.
• Go to the Classic Labyrinth for more information.