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Labyrinth
Continued from Page 19
Thus began Artress’s world-
wide quest to revive awareness
of ancient labyrinths as a spir-
itual and healing tool. There
are now over 6,000 labyrinths
listed on her Veriditas Laby-
rinth Locator website (veridi-
tas.org), with at least 141 lab-
yrinths located in Oregon. The
outdoor CMC Labyrinth was
completed and dedicated on
March 20, 2016, over 20 years
after Sandy Bay began her
training with Artress at Grace
Cathedral.
What is a labyrinth?
The labyrinth is an ancient
walking meditation tool found
in many cultures around the
world. Many designs have been
discovered, but each has only
one path into the center and
back out, unlike a maze which
has dead-ends that create con-
fusion. The path becomes a
mirror for where we are in our
lives. The rhythm of walk-
ing (placing one foot in front
of another) quiets the mind,
relaxes the body and refreshes
the spirit. It is best to walk the
labyrinth with an open heart
and an open mind, as each walk
on the labyrinth is different and
unique.
Walking the labyrinth can be
described as three stages (the
three R’s):
(1) Releasing (walking into
the labyrinth): Letting go of
distractions, quieting the mind,
opening your heart;
(2) Receiving (pausing in
the center): Listening to guid-
ance, being present, meditating,
prayer; and
(3) Returning (walking
out of the labyrinth): Reflect-
ing, resolving, integrating the
experience.
How do you use
a labyrinth?
There are unlimited ways
to use a labyrinth. In religious
terms, it can be called a path to
prayer, contemplative, quieting
the mind, union or a pilgrim-
age. In the public arena, the lab-
Contributed photos
People walk on the Canyon Mountain Center Labyrinth in John Day.
Canyon Mountain Center has a 24-foot indoor canvas labyrinth
that can be used during inclement weather. It is portable and can
also be taken to other locations for special events.
yrinth can be described as a tool
for stress reduction, self-reflec-
tion, a walking meditation,
mindfulness, creativity and
wellness. In the new conscious-
ness fields, it can be described
as unity, intention, inner wis-
dom, mind-body-spirit integra-
tion, transformation, mystical
or magical. As you may guess,
the labyrinth can meet you
where you are in your life and
give you valuable feedback, no
matter what situation leads you
to take your first walk on it.
Labyrinths are becoming
very common in all areas, pub-
lic and private. You will often
find them in churches, hospi-
tals, wellness centers, spas,
schools, prisons, hospice cen-
ters, corporations, parks, open
spaces, beaches, private yards
and college campuses. Laby-
rinths can be used for spiritual
insight, healing, anxiety and
stress reduction, creativity, as
a tool for rituals and ceremony,
community building, focusing
skills and innovation.
What is the symbolism
of walking a labyrinth?
People new to the labyrinth
experience often ask the ques-
tion: How do you know if the
labyrinth works? Only you can
answer that question for your-
self, as you “notice what you
notice.” For example, did old
memories or emotions come
up that surprised you, did you
receive any insights on an
issue that you were wishing to
resolve, did you feel calmer or
more peaceful? Every walk on
the labyrinth will be different;
it is best to let go of any expec-
tations about what will, or will
not, happen.
You can use everything
that occurs on the labyrinth as
a metaphor. Some examples
are: Think of walking the lab-
yrinth as a “two-way street”
where you meet others on the
path. Notice your reactions
and inner impulses as you
meet others walking toward
you: What do you do? If you
get lost on the path, how is that
symbolic of losing your focus
in your life? If you want to
cross the lines of the labyrinth
and don’t do it, where do you
feel restricted or controlled in
your life? Why are you hold-
ing back and pleasing oth-
ers? Any of these experiences
on the labyrinth can give you
profound insights into your-
self and what drives you at a
deeper level, and can free you
to make choices to move for-
ward in your life with clarity.
The possibilities of self-aware-
ness are endless.
At Canyon Mountain Cen-
ter, we have a 36-foot out-
door labyrinth that is open to
the public, and a 24-foot can-
vas labyrinth that can be used
inside CMC during inclem-
ent weather. The canvas laby-
rinth is portable can be taken
to other locations for special
events or educational pur-
poses. Sandy Bay is a Veriditas
Trained Labyrinth Facilitator
and would be happy to pro-
vide more information or do a
labyrinth presentation for your
group or organization. Come to
CMC to walk the outdoor lab-
yrinth at any time. Please call
Sandy in advance if you would
like to bring a large group for a
labyrinth walk, 415-515-6316.