The Labyrinth

Walking the Labyrinth allows us to focus our thoughts, sense our fears, dreams, and longings, and gain insight about our lives.

What?

The Labyrinth is an ancient symbol used as a meditation to assist us in finding peace, managing stress, making decisions, and healing physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

The Labyrinth is one circuitous path to the center and out again. The entrance is also the exit. Unlike a maze that it designed to confuse us, the Labyrinth has no dead-ends and is designed to help us find our way. The Labyrinth is a right-brain task that involves intuition and creativity.

Viewed as a metaphor for life's journey, the Labyrinth offers lessons as we walk the path. It can offer a mirror to reflect where we are in our lives. As such, the labyrinth offers a quiet, contained space for managing transitions, enhancing decision-making, accessing memories, acknowledging challenges, and celebrating achievements.

The Labyrinth may be permanent or portable, outdoor or indoor, and of various designs and sizes. The most well-known labyrinths are the Classical and Chartres labyrinths. Labyrinths are currently being used in hospitals, cancer centers, schools, prisons, wellness centers, hospices, spas, public parks, and retreat centers. Hand-held labyrinths are also available when a walking labyrinth is not accessible.

"The labyrinth really is a metaphor for me of my cancer journey. There are so many twists and turns. As soon as I think I'm close to the 'center,' feeling less anxious, less afraid, I find myself far from 'center' wondering if I'm able to take even one more step forward. Then I remember that in the labyrinth -- and in the cancer journey, all I need to do is 'put one foot in front of the other.' Nothing more. I feel relieved and somehow I find renewed energy for the journey." ~ A.G., age 47

Who?

Labyrinths are accessible to people of all ages and abilities. For individuals facing cancer and/or for their families, friends, and caregivers, the labyrinth can offer a safe place and space for people to "put down" some of the emotional weight that often accompanies this illness. The labyrinth can also provide opportunities to explore the relational and spiritual dimensions of living with or otherwise being affected by cancer.

"I'm always taking care of everyone else. When I was diagnosed with colon cancer, my family said I needed to stay strong -- for my son, for my parents, for my clients. So, I stayed strong. I did the treatments and worked right through them. I didn't talk about the cancer. I put my own feelings away so I could 'stay strong.' I was diagnosed nine months ago, and today -- in the labyrinth -- was the first time I gave myself permission to cry." ~ M.S., age 50

How?

There is no right way to walk the Labyrinth. You only have to enter and follow the path.

1. Please remove your shoes (for indoor labyrinths, unless you need your shoes for medical reasons or stability).
2. Pause at the entrance; become quiet and centered. You may wish to set an intention for your walk. You may wish to give acknowledgement through a bow, nod, or other gesture before entering.
3. Experience. Walk purposefully and be attentive to your experience. You might choose to pay attention to your breath. Walk at a pace that feels comfortable for you. Feel free to step around or pass a person who is walking more slowly or step aside to let someone else pass. You can pause at any point you wish, including the center. After you reach the center, you may retrace your steps back to the entrance.
4. Exit. To complete your walk, you may turn and face the entrance after you exit the labyrinth. You may wish to give acknowledgement through a bow, nod, or other gesture. You may also wish to walk around the outside of the labyrinth.
5. Reflect. After walking the labyrinth, reflect on your experience. You may sit quietly, write about your experience, draw, or talk with others.

"I like the image of all these people walking the labyrinth. That's how the labyrinth comforts me: I recognize that many people have walked this same path -- the labyrinth path, the cancer path -- and that gives me strength and hope." ~ B.F., age 34

Where?

Both permanent and portable labyrinths can be found throughout the world. To locate a labyrinth near you, visit the World-wide Labyrinth Locator at wwll.veriditas.labyrinthsociety.org.

Labyrinth Resources

If you would like more information about labyrinths, labyrinth workshops, or labyrinth products and services, contact:

• TLS Labyrinth Market
• Veriditas
• Labyrinth Journey Network