On Saturday, Nov. 10 from 2-4:30 p.m., Amy Glenn, a senior non-traditional student and religious studies major at Monmouth College, will allow members of the campus to actively participate in a portion of her departmental senior research project. As part of Glenn’s project on the symbolism of the labyrinth in numerous faith cultures, a real canvas labyrinth path will be put on display in the Highlander Room of Stockdale Center, and attendees will be allowed to move through the labyrinth. The event, entitled “Walking the Labyrinth,” is free of charge and is sponsored by the Monmouth College Chaplain’s Office.

The canvas labyrinth has been provided courtesy of the Rev. Carolyn Weber of the First United Presbyterian Church of Oneida, Ill.

The practice of using labyrinths as a source of spiritual enlightenment and reflection dates back as far as 3,700 years ago, if not further, and has been utilized in many foreign lands (Scandinavia, Great Britain, Mexico and India, for example) and at various conventional locations (such as churches, hospitals, hospices and even schools).

According to the Rev. Dr. B. Kathleen Fannin, chaplain of the College, this event could be beneficial for those who attend as it will allow people to “experience the meditation of the labyrinth” as a means of escaping the everyday stresses and hassles that can plague one’s existence. “This is an exercise to slow you down and offer you the opportunity to pay attention,” stated Fannin.

The labyrinth has often been thought of as a metaphorical representation for life’s journey and differs from that of a typical maze, for mazes contain dead-ends as obstacles for completion; whereas the long, winding path of the labyrinth may be perplexing or arduous to find one’s way through but always leads to its eventual destination.

Once individuals reach the center of the labyrinth, they are allowed whatever amount of time they need to sit and ponder their walk and the importance it holds for them. Afterward, they will then exit the labyrinth in a similar fashion to how they entered.

Hannah Schell, associate professor in the department of philosophy and religious studies and Glenn’s academic advisor, believes such an experience is valuable to all persons from all backgrounds. Schell commented, “The new labyrinths have a lot of different meanings than they did not have in the ancient form.”

For Glenn, completion of this project and subsequent obtainment of her undergraduate degree will be a rewarding accomplishment. Glenn, a resident of Monmouth, Ill., began attending Monmouth College in 1985 but left shortly thereafter to get married and raise a family. Ever since, Glenn has been taking just a few classes per semester through the College, slowly attaining the necessary credit hours to complete her education. At the end of the fall 2007 semester, Glenn will have the appropriate credentials to receive her bachelor of arts degree in religious studies. In addition to this public exhibition, Glenn’s senior project will also consist of an extensive research thesis and a film documentary on the significance of the labyrinth throughout world history.

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