I enjoy walking labyrinths. Labyrinths are maze-like structures that have been used as spiritual tools for centuries. There are many of them around, and I am in the habit of trying to visit a lot of them. For more information about labyrinths, check out The Labyrinth Society. Find where labyrinths are in your area at the Worldwide Labyrinth Locator.

The Path of Life Sculpture Garden is an amazing hidden gem in eastern Vermont. My 14-year-old Alex and I were planning a long weekend trip into northern New England, and I discovered this place while searching online for “weird things in Vermont” or something like that. Owned and operated by an outfitting company, this sculpture garden leads you on a path through fields and trees, amid various statues and sculptures that somehow symbolize various moments of our life’s journey. Both Alex and I really enjoyed the walk, except for when the sun was beating down on us — we’re both fans of clouds and overcast days.

The “Contemplation” section of the garden (which comes just before “Death,” interestingly) includes a Buddha statue with a few benches, overlooking a 7-circuit classical labyrinth, with a grass path and stones as the walls. Alex sat down with the Buddha as I approached the labyrinth.

The question I brought in with me was this: “How can I support Alex this trip?” Alex is at an interesting age — adolescence is a time to discover yourself and explore, and to kick against the walls that kept you in through childhood. Path of Life was the first stop on our four-day trip, and while we did have an itinerary, I wasn’t sure how much independence to give Alex, how many decision to let them make, how much I should act as a leader and how much as a partner.

The instant I walked into the labyrinth, clouds shifted between me and the sun. I was grateful. The temperature was much more pleasant with cloud cover. But as the clouds covered the sun, I felt like metaphorical clouds faded away, and I could see with more clarity how to behave this weekend. I heard intimations of a message that went something like this:

Don’t be afraid to lead. Alex isn’t sure what they like yet, who they are yet. Don’t force them to make too many decisions. But watch for sparks of interest, sparks of meaning, and try to encourage that. Encourage them to find and make meaning all around them.

I was grateful for this message. I tried to follow it throughout the weekend, into Quechee Gorge and up Mt. Washington, through Vermont and New Hampshire and Maine, and the long trip back again. I tried to keep us moving, tried to make most decisions myself, but tried to be very flexible and listen. It was a good trip, and I think that was in part because of listening to this wisdom.