Labyrinths and mazes began over 4,000 years ago and are on every continent. There are 9 stone Labyrinths in the Las Vegas area, not counting the smaller, non-stone ones.
It’s no wonder that people who have heard of labyrinths have confused them with mazes. However, there is a vast difference between the two.
Mazes are multi-directional puzzles accessible from several points and participants must solve them. Labyrinths, on the other hand, are a sacred, one-directional tool that links the rational mind with the spiritual aspect of our consciousness. The only commonality between these two words is that after experiencing them, participants are left in a state of “a-maze-ment” as to how they work.
The labyrinth offers us a way of journeying, inviting us into a sacred, quiet place. The labyrinth is a teacher that reveals mysterious secrets to and within you, sometimes in the most surprising ways.
The experience is never the same, and interestingly, there have even been atheist participants who claim to have become believers after their experience.
Before you begin your path, it is essential to:
- As you walk, let go and trust the path will guide you to the center
- Have no expectations
- Walk in silence, focus on a topic, or chant an OhmÂ
- Saunter slowly and for more grounding, you may want to walk barefoot
- Relax and know that you cannot get lost internally or externally and once you reach the center, ask yourself:Â What can you leave behind that no longer serves you?
There is no question that this is a profound and deeply seeded personal journey, even if the issue you’re dealing with is global. Some believe that the revival of interest in labyrinths may stem from the collective consciousness of the earth community recognizing the need for more balance and a more inclusive way of living together on this planet.
I recently met Scott Hensley, a Certified Labyrinth Facilitator and founder of Vegas Labyrinths, and some of the group’s senior members, including a Labyrinth architect. To learn more about their free monthly events, go to www.WalkVegas.org.
