Vancouver, WA

What an adventure today! A visit to a labyrinth. This labyrinth is behind the Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church just off Mill Plain, and it belongs to the church. Nice big adjacent field isn’t it? It would be perfect for kids and dogs to play in, and I’m happy to see the two benches to rest on, if the walk gets tiring.

The labyrinth is easy to find. From I-205, head east on Mill Plain and turn right on 125th. It’s right next to Kaiser Permanente’s Cascade Park office. Or try GoogleMaps.

Notice the dedication plaque set into the paving stones at the labyrinth entrance. Concrete blocks laid into the earth form the base of the labyrinth, with the paths painted in white. This labyrinth is a copy of the one installed during the middle ages on the floor of the Chartres Cathedral in Paris.

I love this pink dogwood with it’s open blossoms. It’s young and looks as if it was planted lately, and here’s a pretty yellow azalea, too.

The labyrinth experience is a unique one, following the winding path that doubles back on itself. The way to walk a labyrinth, I’ve heard, is to follow the path without thinking about where it goes. That’s what makes it a meditation.

We’ve wound around to the back of the labyrinth now, and we’re looking toward the entrance. You can see the large blank circle in the center. We’ll continue in to this center circle and pause there for a moment before winding our way back out again.

It’s a pleasant surprise to experience a relaxing meditation walk in such a busy area. Because it’s next door to Kaiser, I wonder whether people who work there take advantage of the labyrinth to walk during their lunch hour. I’ve enjoyed our walk, and I’m glad the church put a labyrinth here. What a unique way to take advantage of an urban greenspace!