The Peace Labyrinth is a shared vision among a group of people that started with one person. This person began donating funds in 2002 to ensure that someday there’d be a labyrinth in an oasis-like setting where visitors could experience the transformational experiences she has had walking them. Peace Labyrinth is on the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Desert campus, 72-425 Via Vail, Rancho Mi
rage, California 92270
Who may use the labyrinth? The labyrinth will be open to everyone. There is no cost. We consider it a variation of a desert oasis - for respite & renewal. Why do you say it’s open to the community at-large? The labyrinth can be easily adapted for many uses including meditation, schools, 12 step groups, troubled teens, weddings, memorial services, healing groups, patients, etc... or just as a break from your daily routine. Each person experiences it a little differently. It is healthy practice to make time for a mindful walk & fun to share with others. Is a labyrinth the same as a maze? No, a labyrinth is not a maze. Unlike a maze designed to engage your thinking brain, a labyrinth offers nothing to be solved; no dead ends meant to fool the walker. Labyrinths have a one clear pathway into the center where the walker can pause or rest before following the same path out. Do labyrinths have religious overtones? Traditionally, labyrinths have been used for meditation, sacred pacing, & as a playground for the spirit. You decide whether it's religious or not based on your individual experiences & openness; labeling it based upon your belief system. The campus on which it is planned is a diverse community & free from dogma. All are welcomed to walk it, regardless of whether you deem it a religious experience or not. Why is the word 'healing' used to describe the benefits of labyrinths? The oasis-like setting offers a separation from daily busyness, encourages deep breathing, relaxation. Research has shown that setting aside time for mindful walking increases a sense of well-being. People walk labyrinths for many different reasons including:
to prepare for surgery
to regain strength while supporting others
to celebrate all that is 'right' with life
Labyrinths are most often described as a place reserved for peaceful moments & fresh insights where you learn in the process of walking. Why do I sometimes see children playing on labyrinths? A labyrinth is a winding path which a person may walk, crawl, ride, dance, skip, hop, roll, or otherwise move along. Walking a labyrinth can serve a variety of purposes. The most common use of a labyrinth is in the form of mindful stepping, yet children are sometimes our best teachers. There is no one correct way to walk the labyrinth path. Try skipping! Why do workshops use labyrinths in them? The labyrinth is a purposeful path that leads to a journey of self-discovery. Seminar leaders like to add an experiential component to their workshop format, which allows participants the opportunity to learn about themselves & grow through walking. Is it true that some corporations have labyrinths on their campuses? Yes, labyrinths are found in many diverse environments including schools, parks, prisons, hospitals, & corporations. In California, Google has two labyrinths on their campus for their employees to walk. Organizations like this understand that labyrinths offer an alternative way to encourage their community to facilitate a mindful practice, which in turn creates focused, happy workers. Why do so many hospitals include a labyrinth on their campus? The small amount of concentration required to stay on the path, combined with the repetitive nature of following the path, is said to produce a calming effect that has been reported to do everything from reducing anxiety to easing chemotherapy-induced nausea. What if I’m too wobbly to walk the labyrinth? If you decide that walking the labyrinth is not for you - yet you still want to take advantage of the many health benefits, click here for a finger labyrinth that you may trace, which give you the same benefits as walking: http://www.lessons4living.com/finger_labyrinth.htm
