Life - a winding journey

These reflections on a garden labyrinth come to us from the Quiet Garden Movement. There are Quiet Gardens now over many parts of the world, spaces dedicated to encouraging contemplation on creation.

...I stood looking at the stones all around me, each one a different color, size, texture. The meaning of these rocks, forming the path of my just completed journey, finally became evident: these stones, each and every one, were representative of the plethora of emotions, scenes, situations, events, people and whatever else that comprises and forms the human life. Just as each stone is unique, formed from the unfathomable creativity of the Lord, so likewise is every day, indeed, each inimitable moment, of an individual‟s existence. And just as each stone is required to remain in its correct location so as to advance the journeyman along the paths, and not to be diverted, each moment and encounter we experience in our lives will progress us, nurture us, along our own individual journeys we call life.
I took in the circular structure of the labyrinth, a symbol of the universe, its inhabitants, and the ceaseless continuity of it all. I gazed inquisitively upon the center circle. There were no further paths to walk…

...My eyes made their way to the sky, and as I inhaled deeply, taking deep into my lungs the crisp desert air, I reflected on the paradox of my profoundly complex but minute being, a slight shiver running wildly through my body. A cool breeze had blown over me, like a gentle comforting hand. I slowly moved my foot across the fine gravel; the ineffable qualities of the instance whispering to me answers I would not be able to decipher and comprehend until a proper time. I slowly exhaled, as in almost a ritualistic manner…

extracts from a reflection by
Pio Petralli
who was walking
The Labyrinth at Grace Episcopal
Lake Havisu, Arizona, U.S.A.

You can access the full text of this article in the newsletter no 28 at http://www.quietgarden.co.uk

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