The Labyrinth at Grace Lutheran and the Being New Center
The labyrinth is an ancient walking meditation — a quiet path that invites us to slow down, become present, and listen deeply. Unlike a maze, a labyrinth has one path in and one path out. As we walk, the journey itself becomes a practice of letting go, listening, and returning.
The labyrinth, located at Grace Lutheran Church, 5201 Urbandale, Des Moines, Iowa is a place of welcome for anyone seeking stillness, healing, or prayer. Whether you come from a faith tradition, a recovery journey, or simply a longing for quiet, the path invites you to slow down and listen for the sacred in your life.
Why Walk the Labyrinth
Walking the labyrinth can be a metaphor for life — a journey of letting go, discovering inner peace, and opening ourselves to spiritual transformation. The slow movement of the walk calms the mind and soothes the heart, offering space for reflection and renewal.
For some, the walk stirs creativity or evokes a sense of wholeness. For others, it becomes a source of healing and hope in times of sorrow. Whatever your experience, the labyrinth invites you to bring your hopes, dreams, and personal history into this sacred journey.
Three Movements of the Labyrinth Walk
Walking Toward the Center — Releasing
As you walk toward the center, release the details of daily life. The rhythm of walking helps quiet the mind and open the heart.
At the Center — Receiving
The center is a place of stillness and presence. Remain as long as you wish and receive whatever insight, peace, or inspiration may arise.
Returning — Integration
As you walk out, carry what you have received back into daily life, leaving the labyrinth renewed and grounded.
Suggestions for Walking the Labyrinth
There is no right or wrong way to walk a labyrinth. Whether serious or playful, prayerful or meditative, your walk can reflect your intentions and needs.
Helpful guidelines:
• Quiet your mind and notice your breathing before entering
• Walk at the pace that feels natural for your body
• Pass others gently if needed
• Remember that those entering and exiting share the same path
• Be considerate of others walking the labyrinth
Other Ways to Walk the Labyrinth
You may wish to bring a particular intention or practice:
• Walk with a spiritual companion — a loved one, ancestor, or guide
• Repeat a prayer, scripture passage, or mantra
• Release a burden and symbolically leave it in the center
• Express gratitude for the blessings of life
• Reflect on your life journey
• Journal afterward to capture insights
Try a Finger Labyrinth Practice
For those who cannot walk the labyrinth in person, a finger labyrinth offers a similar contemplative experience.
Download the Finger Labyrinth from The Peace and Spirituality Center
Walking the Labyrinth as an 11th Step Practice
“Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God…”
— Step Eleven, Alcoholics Anonymous
The 11th Step invites us into ongoing spiritual practice — not perfection, but conscious contact.
For many in recovery, sitting meditation can feel difficult. The labyrinth offers an embodied alternative — prayer in motion.
How the Labyrinth Reflects the 11th Step
Walking In — Surrender
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Release resentment, fear, self-will.
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Offer the day to God as you understand God.
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Pray for willingness.
In the Center — Listening
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Ask only for knowledge of God’s will.
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Sit or stand in silence.
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Notice what arises without forcing an answer.
Walking Out — Power to Carry That Out
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Pray for strength to act.
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Commit to the next right step.
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Return grounded and steady.
The labyrinth becomes a lived prayer:
Not my will, but Thine.