Meditation on the Labyrinth

Meditation on the Labyrinth

Guest Writer: Gary Kimmel

“The rhythm of the turns flowed into me as I found my pace and walked where the path would take me.”—Twylla Alexander in Labyrinth Journeys: 50 States, 51 Stories (Springhill, 2017).

Layrinth at All Saints Episcopal Church, Southern Shores, North Carolina

A few years ago, we walked the labyrinth in memory of Les Hunton, a wonderful friend, a fellow singer in the bass section, and a person who always presented a positive attitude. We miss him.

Each time I walk the labyrinth, I come away with different thoughts. Tonight, the labyrinth blessed me with the following:

  • The paths we follow are a mixture of short, medium, and long. We spend most of our busy lives on short paths: grocery shopping, taking kids to school, and getting over a cold. But some are much longer: taking an extended journey dealing with a terminal illness. We can walk fast or slow but can’t avoid these different paths. So, it is our challenge to focus on our path, not the path we just left or the one coming up.

  • Those who are also on their journey are not always on the same path I am. They may be on a path of a different length, or if they are on the same path, ahead or behind me. Consequently, they may not appreciate where I am in my journey, and vice versa. Therefore, I need to guard against judging their journey based on mine.

  • My path is not better or worse than another’s. They will be different at a point in time, but not better or worse. All of us will walk these paths, but we will be affected in unique ways.

  • Richard Rohr points out that there are two stages of life: building the ego and incorporating that ego into Creation. Likewise, as you enter the labyrinth, you must work a little to become contemplative. As you walk toward the center, this mood becomes a part of you. But when you reach the center, you are only halfway. At some point, you turn, retrace your steps in a wholly contemplative mood, and leave the labyrinth with a new/renewed perspective.

I look forward to my next journey through the labyrinth and what it will bring me.

Gary Kimmel

Chartes Labyrinth seen from above

Sacred Grounds

Sacred Grounds

Guest Writer: Kimberly Applegate

Understand that this is sacred ground, and it hurts to walk here.  But at the same time, I "need" to walk here. I need the strength, the sense of purpose, and the knowledge of self that walking here imparts.  …  What do I want from you?  I want you to be my sister and to walk here with me.  I know it's a challenging walk.  I know it causes you pain.  But this much I also know: If ever we learn to tread this ground together, there's no place we can't go.—Leonard Pitts, Jr.

Especially as we approach this election, I am reflecting on the painful and tragic events that occurred on January 6 at our nation's Capitol. But, of course, we cannot do it without understanding our 400-year history of race and faith in America. But how many of us genuinely know these histories?

The COVID pandemic provided me with this opportunity through an amazing program called Sacred Ground, curated by the Black Episcopal Church: https://episcopalchurch.org/sacred-ground

"Sacred Ground" is a film- and readings-based dialogue series on race grounded in faith.  It invites small groups to walk through chapters of America's history of race and racism, while weaving in threads of family story, economic class, and political and regional identity.

The 10-part series is built around a powerful online curriculum of documentary films and readings focusing on Indigenous, Black, Latino, and Asian/Pacific American histories as they intersect with European American histories.

"Sacred Ground is part of Becoming Beloved Community, The Episcopal Church's long-term commitment to racial healing, reconciliation, and justice in our personal lives, ministries, and society. This series is open to all and specially designed to help white people talk with other white people. It invites participants to peel away the layers that have contributed to the challenges and divides of the present day–all while grounded in our call to faith, hope, and love."
 It cannot be more timely.

Kimberly Applegate, MD

Vulnerability: Our Habitat for Our Humanity

Vulnerability: Our Habitat for Our Humanity

“The only choice we have as we mature is how to inhabit our vulnerability…”—David Whyte.

viewing the building of a new habitat

Vulnerability. Poet David Whyte gives us one word to take with us today. Vulnerability, however, does not live alone but resides in the word, community.

Intimacy. Another word that lives with vulnerability. We allow someone we trust to see and hear our inner thoughts and concerns, our highs and lows.

Humility is also a close family member of this word, community. We don’t think of ourselves as any better than someone else.

Humanness whispers in the ear of vulnerability. We are to take off our mask of “perfection.” We are to admit promptly our mistakes to others and learn from them.

Forgiveness must also be a beloved companion of vulnerability. We are to ask for forgiveness when we have wronged others, and be ready to forgive ourselves for our own mistakes.

Vulnerability, intimacy, humility, humanness, and forgiveness are five construction workers in a family business crucial for building our own Habitat for Humanity.

Joanna. Joannaseibert.com. https://www.joannaseibert.com/