Robin Weber, a 10-year member of The Peoples Church of East Lansing, 200 W. Grand River Ave., and a Holt resident, walks through the labyrinth in the basement of the church.
Denise Green said exploring all opportunities for healing is important — from meditation, hypnosis or using the ancient practice of labyrinths.
After she was diagnosed with breast cancer, Green, a member of the medical community as nursing director for Sparrow Health Systems, was drawn to labyrinths as a more holistic approach to medicine.
Green was trained to facilitate labyrinth walks as a part of her own healing process.
“It’s a tool you can use for reflection and connecting with inner wisdom,” she said.
Labyrinths are thought of as paths of reflection, contemplation and clarity. Visually elaborate labyrinths come in many designs dating back 5,000 years or more, all consisting of a single path leading to the center and back out.
There are many different types of walks, involving prayer, pilgrimages, asking questions and honoring benchmarks in time.
Sparrow Center for Health, Humanities and Well-being, 1200 E. Michigan Ave., Suite 130, in Lansing, has its own labyrinth, located in its Healing Garden.
Its 36-foot circular maze pattern has concentric circles and a rosette-shaped center modeled after a similar pattern at the Grace Cathedral in San Francisco.
Green said the labyrinth was installed eight to 10 years ago and patients, community members and workers often use the path during daylight hours. Sparrow also hosts labyrinth walks, which are open to the public, at least four times every year.
The Peoples Church of East Lansing, 200 W. Grand River Ave., also is home to a labyrinth, which is painted on the floor of its social hall.
Janet Cortright, a labyrinth facilitator and church member, led an Advent labyrinth walk at the church Thursday.
“(The labyrinth) is a universal tool that appeals to all faiths and traditions, or none at all,” she said.
Labyrinth journeys often have three stages: releasing, receiving and returning. The names sometimes vary but the purpose of each stage remains consistent.
The first stage is about releasing the details of life so the heart and mind may be open and receptive.
The second stage is meant to awaken or receive insights and discernment in the labyrinth’s center.
The third stage includes reconciling, renewing and integrating lessons learned during the journey.
St. John Student Parish, 327 M.A.C. Ave., has a canvas labyrinth it uses as a way to pray during retreats, Lent and Advent.
Peggy Caputo, Rite of Christian Initiation and student faith formation director for the parish, said they usually light candles and play quiet music.
“Usually people take into it what they want,” she said. “People often have a powerful experience.”
Staff writer Stephanie Goldberg contributed to this article.
Support student media! Please consider donating to The State News and help fund the future of journalism.
