Grace Cathedral San Francisco

A place to calm your mind

Kathleen from San Francisco

About me Born on an American Army base in Germany, I came to the states when I was six months old and my parents were stationed back home at Fort Lewis in Tacoma, Washington, where I spent my entire childhood. Little did I know that the military lifestyle was going to become what inspired me to become an artist. I have been a photographer for most of my life. Whether I knew it o...
"The modern labyrinth movement was founded right here in "Grace Cathedral" in San Francisco. The stained glass inside produces a kaleidoscopic experience..."

The modern labyrinth movement was founded here in Grace Cathedral, something I didn’t know until I actually visited myself. My first labyrinth experience was in Europe, but once I came home to San Francisco, my search began for something local.  Lo and behold, I found one practically in my backyard.

Upon approach, I noted there was a small labyrinth and I was a bit disappointed because I had expected it to be inside. That didn’t stop me from entering the church though. Once inside, there was a larger and more beautiful labyrinth, more conducive to the meditative state I was seeking.

There weren’t many people, probably because it was a weekday, so I began my journey determined to be in a mindful state while I walked. The one thing that stood out to me was that all the stained glass was producing beautifully prismatic reflections on the walls near the labyrinth, making the entire walk somewhat of a kaleidoscope experience.

Once in the center, I sat. The reflections were like meditative devices and had an effect on me like no other. It made me joyful, seemingly releasing my inner child. I could only smile in awe of the beauty I was witnessing from just reflected sunlight.  

All of my supposed worries of the day vanished into the ether. I rose, walked back and out of the church feeling renewed; my mind calmed and quieted, my heart lighter and feeling very grateful.

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San Francisco Spotter Kathleen

About me Born on an American Army base in Germany, I came to the states when I was six months old and my parents were stationed back home at Fort Lewis in Tacoma, Washington, where I spent my entire childhood. Little did I know that the military lifestyle was going to become what inspired me to become an artist. I have been a photographer for most of my life. Whether I knew it or not is another story. I picked up my first camera at the age of eight and became - much to the chagrin of my strict parents - the family voyeur. Often my dad would tell me that what I was doing was ...

About this spot

1100 California Street

US$

free

4157496300

Oct 10, 2025

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