Today I walked the Scott Street Labyrinth. It’s on Scott Street near the corner of Waller in the Haight District of San Francisco.
The labyrinth was created in 2007, sponsored by the California Pacific Medical Center, with the support of many other groups and individuals.
It’s easy to miss. Just a bit of concrete surface in the middle of a small park. But you want to stop and spend some time there.
It’s actually two labyrinths — a large one on the ground and a small “finger labyrinth” on a pedestal nearby.
I first explored the large one.
I began by walking the perimeter, noticing the beautiful inlaid stones that bordered it. Then I made my way toward the middle, being mindful of each step. Eventually I got to the center, paused for a moment, and then retraced my steps outward. Then I went and did it again.
Here’s a timelapse of my second “lap.”
It’s really wonderfully designed, with just one entrance and exit. I liked the explanatory text provided nearby for those unfamiliar with labyrinths.
While I appreciated the large labyrinth, I had not expected to be as moved as I was by the finger labyrinth.
Closing my eyes and tracing the pathway on the smooth stone immediately dropped me into a meditative, calm, and peaceful state. By my second go around, I felt blissful. There was something about the mindfulness of slowly tracing the route around and around that felt comforting, particularly as I got to know each turn and change in direction.
This simple guidance was helpful.
Here’s the Google Map coordinates if you want to check it out yourself.