LabyrinthsPathways to Peace

The Riddle…Labyrinths help us connect:

Whatever befalls the earth, befalls the children of the earth.

Chief SeattleRepresents the cosmos, the ONE within and

withoutWe need healingWe need powerful, positive experiences to

counteract all the pain and suffering in the world.

WHY NOW?Affluent but lonely timesThe freedom of mobility distances us from

our families and communitiesSocial isolation is on the rise due to ITWe have become disconnected from the

earth, from ourselvesWe are moving fast, we need to slow downTHE RESULT? Depression and Apathy

A divine mystery..originationThe stars…beyond the stars

The labyrinth is a riddle, it is the cosmos and the womb. The life of human kind, the womb of the earth. The journey the way to the center. The way to ourselves

Ursa Krattinger Tinga

Amazing MazeOften there is no way out, or it is convoluted, confusing, and frustrating. What a relief when you reach space again!

Purpose and meaningSelf-reflection: gateway to the heartDancing RitualUniversal tool for changeMeditationGuidance: ask a question, receive an answerCommunity building

Metaphoric MeaningsA way in…

Unconscious mind, apart for confusion and distractions of every day reality

A path, a doorIs seductive, promise of excitement and new

discoveries but also guidanceHope

We are going somewhere, even if we cannot see the destination

Metaphoric Meanings con’tCenter

Symbolizes wholeness and completion, getting to the heart of the matter

When we are there, we can see the bigger picture

We see where we have been and where we are going

We see the patterns of our lifeWe can reinvent ourselvesWe know there is a way out…reverse the

direction!WHAT WERE SOME OF YOUR METAPHORS?

“Help me, I do not want to spend my life in jail!”County jail, Monterey, CA LabyrinthA young man not sure he wants to try it“what’ll it do for me?”Incarcerated since teen, angry and blaming

other, victim mentalityCouldn’t find his way in “it spit me out!”Tries it again with encouragementHe reaches the center, cries uncontrollably for

10 minutes “Help me, I do not want to spend my life in jail!”

SPIRITUALITYNon-denominationalAs the paths twist and turn, we must face

each otherSometimes we walk beside each otherWe have fallen away from the church, and

need to feed our spirits elsewhereSoul searching needs to be done in a safe,

sacred space

MOVING MEDITATIONWomen tend to danceChildren runMen try out new ways of stepping….

Other Kinesthetic Rituals?Medicine Wheel, Sun Dance, Sweat LodgesAnnual pilgrimagesMaypole, a spring rite (Modern

Scandanavian, Pagan)Tarahumara Indians, Spring gatheringMasons

Kimberly, age 9I felt relieved and awake..I realized

there was nothing to be ashamed of, just because I am a child doesn’t mean I can’t do it. I spoke out my words in my mind. I gave it away to god. He took care of it and threw it far from me. This helped me and took those feelings away…and solved my problems.

Bertrand Russell, paraphrasedIn violent, difficult and cynical times, the wise go inwards, seeking their happiness in contemplation and the cultivation of inner tranquility as well as detachment from material circumstances.

ReferencesWestbury, V., (2001) Labyrinths Ancient Paths

of Wisdom and Peace. Landowne Publishing Pty Ltd.