Apr 27, 2006

Labyrinth Walking

“A labyrinth can be a place to quiet the mind, calm the body and stir the spirit. Our experience on the path is magnified by what we bring to it.” --Sue Ann Foster, Ph.D.

There’s something humans find magnetic about a huge circle made of winding paths and an open space in the center--we’re simply drawn to walk it! This form, common to labyrinths, is an ancient one that west coast artist Sue Ann Foster uses to communicate, create and teach. One of the original members of the international Labyrinth Society and a labyrinth creator for decades, Foster sees the large-scale walking paths as sacred space with origins in art and ritual. She believes they can be places to contemplate, wake up and tune in by paying attention to the now. “Labyrinths are a metaphor for life--the path will lead you,” says Foster.

As a walking experience anyone can enjoy, labyrinths are an interesting contrast to sidewalks or trails. Often a main feature of historical sites, they can be found in a variety of settings from churchyards to backyards. Foster’s own garden labyrinth is pictured above. Depending on size, many labyrinths are perfect for family walks. They’re entirely self-paced, lead you on a continuous route from start to finish (no decision points or dead ends like a maze) and they provide something enjoyable for all ages. Small children often like to run the paths and some teens seem to take special pleasure in using the labyrinth’s center as a temporary hangout. According to Foster, there is no right or wrong way to walk a labyrinth or to comprehend your experience while inside of one.

The 2006 Earth Day labyrinth shown partially below is a 70-foot circuit created on a campus lawn and designed by Foster to be walked in about 15 minutes. It was made of vertical blinds placed end-to-end and secured with flagwires by students in Foster’s university art class. To spark thought and inspire joy, Foster gave walkers a slip of paper for writing a personal message to deposit when they reached the labyrinth core. Also, she encouraged entrants to briefly play a set of wind chimes as they began the walk.

“Infusing the Labyrinth With Positive Energy” – Musician David Blonski walks the Earth Day labyrinth playing the didjeridoo—a traditional wind instrument first created by indigenous Australians. Blonski handcrafts lightweight "Walkabout" didges that can double as walking sticks! Hear didjeridoo music and
learn more about Blonski's other creative projects at his online studio.

DRAW - To see how easy it is to draw your own labyrinth, visit the Labyrinth Society’s automatic drawing page. Once you get the hang of it you might try creating an outdoor version at the beach or on a paved surface using sidewalk chalk!

JOURNAL - Already a labyrinth fan? Join the Labyrinth Society’s 365 Club Daily Walkers—a group that walks a labyrinth each day and keeps a journal of experiences.

WALK - For a change of pace, try walking the labyrinths near you. To find labyrinths worldwide, use the Society’s Labyrinth Locator.

Photo Credits: garden labyrinth - Sue Ann Foster; David Blonski and didjeridoo - Walktopia

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