Not Many People Know That A Labyrinth Is Hiding In Nebraska

In the modern day, people use the term “labyrinth” to describe a maze or a place that is hard to get out of. But in a spiritual setting, a labyrinth is a clear but winding path leading from an outer edge to a center and back again. It’s a way to clear your mind by shifting your focus to your footsteps: walking meditation.

The concept of the labyrinth goes all the way back to ancient Greece, and they have been found everywhere from Egypt to California. Who would have thought that you could find one right here in Nebraska, too?

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The First United Methodist Church in North Platte hosts the 11-circuit Alpha Omega labyrinth, which was built by local man Chad Spence (along with help from the community) for his Eagle Scout project back in 2007. The design is based on a 1200-year-old labyrinth found in the Chartres Cathedral near Paris.

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It is said that there is no wrong way to walk the labyrinth, and every time you walk the path the experience will be different. You simply shut off your mind and let your spirituality flow through you as your feet fall, one in front of the other, over and over, into the labyrinth and back out again.

Although it may seem unusual to see this ancient meditation device in the middle of Nebraska, there are actually several more sprinkled around the state. Most are painted on the ground, but some are impressively built up stone paths like this one in North Platte. Those at Yanney Park (Kearney) and the Immaculata Monastery and Spiritual Center in Norfolk are particularly lovely.

Have you walked a labyrinth in Nebraska? Which is your favorite?