In this meditative and reflective guide, Travis Scholl takes readers on a 40-day journey, placing the practice of walking a labyrinth alongside a prayerful study of the Gospel of Mark. The ancient practice of walking the labyrinth is gaining recognition in churches today, as participants experience powerful encounters with God, even in the midst of quiet solitude, repetition and stillness. "The path is always new, because, as a spiritual discipline, the labyrinth is a tool for contemplation, for reflection, for prayer," says Scholl. "Underneath the surface, walking the labyrinth is a profound exercise in listening, in active silence, in finding movement and rhythm in the stillnesses underneath and in between every day's noise. Walking the labyrinth is an exercise in finding the voice speaking in whispers underneath the whirlwind of sound." With no end, but only a center, labyrinths become a physical symbol of prayer and the Christian's journey with God. This exploration stirs up a new kind of mindfulness of the traveler's surroundings, all with the knowledge that the path will invariably lead them to the center--of both the maze and their faith. Each step unites faith and action as travelers take one step at a time, living each moment in trust and willingness to follow the course set before them. The Gospel of Mark contains surprising parallels to the practice of walking the labyrinth. Ever twisting and turning, reversing and splicing in stories out of order, Mark tells the story of Jesus much in the same way as a labyrinth course, always leading toward the center of faith but with an air of mystery. Providing a historical and modern context for this unique spiritual discipline, Scholl weaves his own journey through a labyrinth with Mark's telling of Jesus' life and ministry, providing 40 reflections ideal for daily reading--during Lent or any time of the year.
