The labyrinth is one of the oldest contemplative and transformational tools known to humankind, having been used for centuries for prayer, ritual, initiation and spiritual growth. It is unicursal—that is, there is only one route to the center and back out again—no blind alleys, dead ends or tricks, as in a maze. Once you set your foot upon its path, the labyrinth gently and faultlessly leads to the center of both the labyrinth and yourself, no matter how many twists and turns you negotiate in the process. Since the destination is assured, there are no obstacles to overcome, no muddles to figure out, no dead ends to retrace. What remains for the labyrinth walker is simply the deeply meditative and symbolic discipline of setting one foot in front of the other, of honoring the journey itself and what it has to teach. The mind can be stilled and attention paid to the body, the wisdom of the heart and the graces of being rather than doing. Walking the labyrinth, either individually or in a group walk, fulfills six important contemporary needs: deepening spirituality; inwardness and connection to the soul; access to intuition and creativity; simplicity; integration of body and spirit; and intimacy and community.
