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What to do in Vancouver: Walk the labyrinth at St Paul’s

What to do in Vancouver: Walk the labyrinth at St Paul’s

I was not in the mood to walk St Paul’s Labyrinth. It was a foggy Sunday morning where the scheduling had gone all wrong. I had added the labyrinth to my list of what to do in Vancouver the day before, but again the morning had gotten the better of me. I felt rushed, grumpy and full of the minor details of life. Arguably the best time to meditate, but also a time I find the hardest to settle down.

What to do in Vancouver: Walking Meditation

I live a block away from the St Paul’s Anglican Church in the West End of Vancouver. I’ve seen the sign for their labyrinth many times, but never had I managed to go inside. Actually, until this morning I had thought it was outdoors.

When I arrived on Sunday morning, I opened the door and climbed a short flight of stairs. There is a simple sign explaining how to walk the labyrinth, essentially: respect others’ meditation, remove your shoes, find your own pace and relax. Unlike a maze, labyrinths have only one path from entrance to exit, with no choices along the way, making it perfect for walking meditation. It’s a great way to reflect and restore your mental wellness.

Performance Anxiety in the Labyrinth

The labyrinth itself is painted on the floor of the church hall, a beautiful mock Tudor interior that reminded me of the Guildhall in London or the Merchant Adventurers’ Hall in York. One woman is already walking the path, her head bent. I quietly start in on the path, not sure how this would work.

Immediately I felt a small rise of panic – was I going the right way? Did I wander over into the other path by mistake? Where does this path go exactly? I took a deep breath and focused on each step in front me. It was much harder than I expected. Several times the same thoughts came over me, looking for a way to predict the path. Letting go of that need to sort everything out was difficult, but a good exercise in relaxation.

What to do in Vancouver to Find Calm

You walk the gently winding path into the centre of the labyrinth, and then follow it back out again. It turns in on itself so many times, it’s difficult to follow exactly where it goes, which is the point. I walked out of the labyrinth feeling much calmer than I went in.

This is definitely not a place for small children, but older ones that can understand the need for silence and respect others’ space could try it.

If you’re looking for a quiet space to restore your sense of equilibrium and wellness, the labyrinth is a great choice. You can visit it Tuesday through Friday from 8:30 to 9:30am, Saturday from 10:00am to 12:00pm, and Sunday from 9:30am to 12:30pm. On the last Friday of the month, you can walk the labyrinth to live music from 7:00-9:00pm. There is a donation box by the door.

See Also

The Labyrinth at St Paul’s Anglican Church

stpaulsanglican.bc.ca/worship/the-labyrinth-what-is-it | Facebook
1130 Jervis Street, Vancouver

Photo courtesy of The Labyrinth at St. Paul’s

 

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