1. Pathways to Peace

2. The Riddle… Labyrinths help us connect: Whatever befalls the earth, befalls the children of the earth. Chief Seattle Represents the cosmos, the ONE within and without We need healing We need powerful, positive experiences to counteract all the pain and suffering in the world.

3. WHY NOW? Affluent but lonely times The freedom of mobility distances us from our families and communities Social isolation is on the rise due to IT We have become disconnected from the earth, from ourselves We are moving fast, we need to slow down THE RESULT? Depression and Apathy

4. A divine mystery..origination The 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

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

6. Purpose and meaning Self-reflection: gateway to the heart Dancing Ritual Universal tool for change Meditation Guidance: ask a question, receive an answer Community building

7. Metaphoric Meanings A way in… Unconscious mind, apart for confusion and distractions of every day reality A path, a door Is seductive, promise of excitement and new discoveries but also guidance Hope We are going somewhere, even if we cannot see the destination

8. Metaphoric Meanings con’t Center 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 life We can reinvent ourselves We know there is a way out…reverse the direction! WHAT WERE SOME OF YOUR METAPHORS?

9. “Help me, I do not want to spend my life in jail!” County jail, Monterey, CA Labyrinth A young man not sure he wants to try it “what’ll it do for me?” Incarcerated since teen, angry and blaming other, victim mentality Couldn’t find his way in “it spit me out!” Tries it again with encouragement He reaches the center, cries uncontrollably for 10 minutes “Help me, I do not want to spend my life in jail!”

10. SPIRITUALITY Non-denominational As the paths twist and turn, we must face each other Sometimes we walk beside each other We have fallen away from the church, and need to feed our spirits elsewhere Soul searching needs to be done in a safe, sacred space

11. MOVING MEDITATION Women tend to dance Children run Men try out new ways of stepping….

12. Other Kinesthetic Rituals? Medicine Wheel, Sun Dance, Sweat Lodges Annual pilgrimages Maypole, a spring rite (Modern Scandanavian, Pagan) Tarahumara Indians, Spring gathering Masons

13. Kimberly, age 9 I 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.

14. Bertrand Russell, paraphrased In 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.

15. References Westbury, V., (2001) Labyrinths Ancient Paths of Wisdom and Peace. Landowne Publishing Pty Ltd.