Another terrific Saskatchewan labyrinth is found on the grounds of the Prairie View Chapel and Crematorium about 30 kilometres south of Saskatoon. There's a lovely memorial garden and tree-lined walkway that leads to the labyrinth in a nearby clearing. The labyrinth is a Chartres model laid out in white rocks on a crushed red gravel base.
The Chapel, its accompanying grounds and labyrinth are located right beside one of Saskatchewan's busiest highways which connects that province's two main cities, Saskatoon and Regina. Consequently, there is an almost unceasing roar of traffic noise. At first, I found this to be extremely distracting and annoying, even to the point of ruining my labyrinth walk. But after a while, I developed a new perspective . . . .
The noise and speed of the nearby highway represents the frantically busy world in which we must live and operate every day, while the inherent peacefulness of walking a labyrinth represents how we should slow down and seek serenity even in the midst of our fast-paced existence. The juxtaposition of these two ways of being provided much thought for meditation as I walked Prairie View's unicursal path.
By the time I was done walking, I didn't mind the traffic noise at all.
18 comments:
I'm really enjoying this whole series.
We lived on Galveston Island for 13 years. I think we were there 6 months before I finally realized the background noise that I heard (sounded like traffic) was actually the water in the Gulf of Mexico. Silly girl!!!!! A true land lover! The sound soon became quite comforting.
I'd love to walk this one. I am really enjoying this.
Mary
Beautiful! The white stones are so pronounced against the red gravel.
And a great perspective on the highway noise vs the labyrinth. Was the placement of the labyrinth so close to the highway intentional?
Hi Jeanne -- I don't know if it was so much intentional as simply unavoidable. Their property is right by the highway so they didn't have much choice or leeway in the labyrinth's placement!
I love your attitude about the highway noise. It's nice that they have the trees though, to at least keep you from viewing all the traffic.
It looks like a nice little labyrinth!
I'm enjoying these "trips"! These are places that I'll probably never get to go see, so I sit here and read with much interest. Thanks
Are these labyrinths that common, or am I just not that observant. I'm obsessed now with finding one nearby!
I found you through Shine the Divine blog and was intrigued by your gloves so it led me here. I love your blog posts on the labyrinths since I've never walked one and am intrigued (by that too-I sound nosey huh). Anyway, hope you don't mind if I follow along. Elena of My Quest
http://elena-myquest.blogspot.com/
I can't decide which is more fun to say!! Saskatchewan or Saskatoon? I'll let you know at the end of the say after I scream them at random strangers.
I think this is my favorite Labyrinth so far. Being on sacred N. American land makes it really special. It reminds me of a Medicine Wheel. Loving the series, Debra!
A lot of work put into this labyrinth. Amazing how we can learn to 'block out' the world when we have/want to.
Jim
that's the way it should be, deb... shutting out the world as much as possible and being in the moment
I agree with Corey, I'm not wanting to find one around here! I hear there is a mansion here that has one but of cousre it's a private residents. Maybe if I ask nicley.......
how beautiful this one is...what a gift for you to be able to walk so many different labyrinth paths...all leading to the same place...your center...your Divinity. You are blessed my friend to have so many places to walk and tune in...you are so blessed to be able to walk. Mudita..yes, I feel joy in your joy!
That is one big labyrinth.
How enchanting! And I must shared that the other day I told someone the difference between a labyrinth and a maze and belt all intelligent and stuff.
you find peace everywhere.
Wonderful post. I know someone who did an art project near a freeway and he says the noise doesn't bother you after a while.
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