Grace Cathedral
Our Labyrinths
Grace Cathedral is home to two Chartres-style labyrinths — and to the Modern Labyrinth Movement that began in 1991.
Walking the labyrinth has become a spiritual practice for Christians as well as those in other religious traditions. It is a path of prayer, a walking meditation, and supports the practice of mindfulness. The act of walking quiets the mind and offers an inner spaciousness where we can more easily reflect upon our lives. We welcome you to our labyrinths.
Grace Cathedral has an indoor and an outdoor labyrinth. The indoor one is available to you during cathedral visitor services hours, and the latter is available to you 24/7! If you want to keep up-to-date on labyrinth events and news, please join our Mind, Body, and Spirit monthly newsletter.
Walk the Labyrinth
Candlelight Labyrinth Walks
We offer quarterly mindful evenings of candlelight labyrinth walks with live music, and guided meditation in the solitude of the chapel of the nativity. These events are held from 6 – 8 pm quarterly with certified facilitators. They offer a unique and relaxed experience and an opportunity to learn more about labyrinths and meditation. Join us and stay for as long as you need. Check the calendar to find the next candlelight labyinth walk.
The Labyrinth Guild and Volunteers
The Labyrinth Guild are trained labyrinth facilitators and people interested in labyrinths. This organization is comprised of people from the Grace cathedral, as well as the Bay Area labyrinth community. We are grateful for our partnership with Veriditas for their training and support of labyrinth facilitators. The Guild supports the monthly Friday mindful evening candlelight labyrinth walks.
We always welcome volunteer support. People interested in developing a deeper understanding of labyrinths can also benefit from volunteering. You don’t need to be a trained labyrinth facilitator to volunteer; just come 30 minutes before our session begins and be prepared to assist with set up, greeting participants, and taking down of candles at closing. To learn more about the Labyrinth Guild or volunteering, please send us an email.
Stages of the Walk
How to Walk the Labyrinth
Unlike a maze, a labyrinth has just one path, so there are no tricks to it and no dead ends. It is a two-way path, so you may meet others coming or going on the path. The are three main stages of the walk:
Purgation (Releasing)
A releasing, a letting go of the details of your life. This is the act of shedding thoughts and distractions. A time to open the heart and quiet the mind.
Illumination (Receiving)
When you reach the center, stay there as long as you like. It is a place of meditation and prayer. Receive what is there for you to receive.
Union (Returning)
As you leave, following the same path out of the center as you came in, you enter the third stage, which is joining God, your Higher Power, or the healing forces at work in the world. Each time you walk the labyrinth you become more empowered to find and do the work for which you feel your soul is reaching.
Guidelines for the Walk
How to Walk the Labyrinth
Quiet your mind and become aware of your breath. Allow yourself to find the pace your body wants to go. Since the path is two-way, those going in will meet those coming out. You may “pass” people or let others step around you. Do what feels natural. Walk the labyrinth with an open mind and an open heart.
World-Wide Labyrinth Locator
The Modern Labyrinth Movement was founded at Grace Cathedral! Today there are over 6000 labyrinths registered with the Worldwide Labyrinth Location.
These are located around the world in private properties, libraries, gardens, temples, and cathedrals.