Spartan Daily - Serving San Jose State University since 1934

Issue date: 9/27/06 Section: News

Media Credit: Felix Ling In the "Creating a Meaningful Life" class offered by the Recreation and Leisure Studies department, students walk through the labyrinth while meditating and reflecting upon questions Tuesday in the Student Union.

On Tuesday, a labyrinth mat covered the floor of the Loma Prieta room of the Student Union for students and classes that wanted to make a spiritual connection, labyrinth organizer Chaplain Roger Wharton said.

Every semester for six years, Episcopal Canterbury, an organization also known as SJ Spirit, has brought the mat with drawn-on paths to San Jose State University so students and staff members can get in touch with their spiritual counterparts, Wharton said.

"The purpose of the labyrinth is to open the doors and windows of spirituality," Wharton said. "Participants are to ask a question in the beginning and find an answer by the end of the walk."

One recreational class member found the spiral walk to be soothing and relaxing.

"I felt so awakened and at peace," said Jessica Durett, a sophomore majoring in nursing. "At first I was a little skeptical, but it was nice to get your creative senses working and get in touch with your emotions and inner-spirit."

SJ Spirit is an organization of college students who want to explore the spiritual world and encourages people of all faiths, backgrounds and traditions to join them in spiritual worship, rituals and recreation, according to the SJ Spirit Web site.

One of the events that SJ Spirit holds is the labyrinth, which is designed to provide a walkable pathway to spiritual healing and enlightenment and appears on every continent and within every culture, said Rev. Wilfredo Benitez of St. Anselm of Canterbury Episcopal Church.

Labyrinths, which have been around for about 4,000 years, can be done in various ways, such as by taking a thoughtful walk, going on a sacred journey or taking part in a spiritual dance, Benitez said.

Wharton made it clear that the labyrinth was not a maze, but a walk that should reflect one's life journey through all the twists and turns.

"Through this experience one should tap into the right side of the brain, which is the creative side, and use all the data and knowledge to answer their one question," Wharton said.

While some enjoyed the event, others had a rather dull experience.

"I really couldn't take it seriously," said James Maloney, a freshman majoring in business. "I'm not into all that spiritual, meditation stuff. The whole time I kept thinking about my exam for my next class or what am I going to have for lunch. Who knows, maybe it's because I'm a guy."

Wharton will be bringing the labyrinth setup to St. Paul's Church on Wednesday for anyone who would like to participate.

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