Labyrinth Spirituality
Web sites
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The past few years have seen phenomenal growth in the use of labyrinths as a tool for mediation and to raise energy for trans- personal growth and healing. Sig Lonegren, of the American Society of Dowsers, is very active in exploring these themes and his book Labyrinths: Ancient Myths & Modern Uses is essential reading. |
 Rainbow labyrinth |
Some of the Web sites in this list could equally well be listed as Christian - the spiritual boundaries between them are often blurred and I apologize for any mistakes.
- A place of Spirit and Thought
- This site from Rick Lucas is a "gateway into the possibilities
of spirituality", with links to many spiritual paths. There is
a useful list of labyrinth
locations in the US, organised by state, with addresses, phone,
fax and email contact numbers.
- El Aswud Mir - The Black Pyramid Labyrinth
- This unique labyrinth site has been created by a spiritual community
called the Nuwaubian Moors at Eatonton in Georgia (USA). The labyrinth,
which is one mile in length surrounds a huge black pyramid and is used
as part of their rituals. See the Website for amazing photos and further
details of the community's beliefs.
- Labyrinthina
- Kathy Doore has put together a lovely site on labyrinth spirituality,
with the emphasis on earth mysteries, energy and dowsing. There are
sections on the myth and history of labyrinths, relevant books, links
and personal experiences. Kathy runs labyrinth workshops and there is
an example meditation that relates the paths to chakra energies and
colours. In May '99 she will be holding a Goddess gathering ritual at
Macchu Pichu in the Andes - see her site for full details. There are
photos of labyrinths she created in the sacred valley below Macchu Pichu,
as well as others in the US. Highly recommended.
- Labyrinth On-Line
- Vicki Keiser has produced a beautiful Website that aims to help you
mediate while you 'walk' a virtual labyrinth - either classical or Chartres-style.
The graphics are excellent and the text helpful. Well worth a look.
- Lessons4Living
- Dan Johnson presents good advice on taking a postive attitude to life
and reducing stress. Part of this includes the use of labyrinths (either
full-size of finger-traced) as meditation and relaxation tools, and
he gives advice and background information. Lots of photos - and a unique
labyrinth stereogram. He has built and used full-size classical labyrinths,
including one for the Park Memorial Methodist Church and another for
the St. Francis Episcopal Church, both in Macon, Georgia.
- Mahaka Chartres Labyrinth
- Following an inspirational visit to Grace Cathedral, Dr Neal Pinkney
has created a Chartres labyrinth next to the ocean at his home on the
island of O'ahu in Hawaii. The Website has photos of its creation, a
Java applet that walks the labyrinth for you and much else besides.
- Mid-Atlantic Geomancy
- This site, run by Sig Lonegren and Patrick MacManaway, has lots of information about Earth Energies, Archaeo-astronomy, Sacred Geometry and Dowsing. Sig has provided a whole section on labyrinths, including information about how to draw them, the names of the parts, their relationship to colours and chakras, and his simple but effective labyrinth mediation technique. There are now also sections on ancient and modern labyrinths, with excellent photos and animated GIFs.
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- Relax4Life
- The Relax4Life Centre offers workshops and holistic counselling in
Barrington, Illinois. Their Website includes photos and details of their
(now dismantled) Chartres-style labyrinth, built using stones, which
had a hollow copper pyramid at its centre, plus 'significant' rocks
from sacred locations. They also have details of the Elgin
labyrinth, available for walking every day from sunrise to sunset.
They produce and sell wooden finger labyrinths (classical, roman and Chartres designs) and have information about their therapeutic uses.
- St.Louis Labyrinth Project
- This project is "dedicated to reclaiming the use of the labyrinth, an ancient spiritual tool, through sponsoring events for labyrinth walking, promoting education and research about labyrinths, and placing labyrinths for public and private use". It produces a wide range of information booklets, DIY kits and other materials to promote and fund these objectives - bravo!
- Robert Ferre and Ruth Hanna, who run the One
Heart spiritual resource centre, are also attempting to
raise funds to translate Hermann Kern's definitive work, LABYRINTHE,
into English.
- The Labyrinth - a journey to the centre
- A page put together by Annette Reynolds of the Alabama Labyrinth Project.
Includes details of the resources, workshops and services available
as well as a bibliography of relevant books.
- The Labyrinth Centre
- Donna Stetser and Betty McKay have constructed a stone classical labyrinth
at their Reiki and healing centre in North Carolina. The Website includes
a photo and some thoughts on labyrinths and their use.
- The Labyrinth of the Sacred Oak Grove
- Wise woman Clarice O'Bryan has created a labyrinth
for meditation and ritual that "lies atop a ancient indian mound
beneath the sheltering arms of a circle of oaks. Its natural sandstone
path and atmosphere is relaxing and conductive to meditation and enlightenment"
A limestone sculpture at the centre is called The Greening of the
Mind, Body, and Spirit and symbolizes the three parts of nature
intwined. The site has several photos.
- The Sacred Labyrinth
- Loretta Rogers has a site describing how to walk and use this "ancient
mediation tool for a new millenium" - with sensible advice and
clear diagrams. I particularly liked a this quote she used from
The Sacred Landscape by Lehrman:
- Go lightly, simply,
Too much seriousness clouds the soul.
Just go, and follow the flowing moment. Try not to cling to any experience.
The depths of wonder open of themselves.
- The Sacred Labyrinth Walk
- Georgiana Lofty is a teacher, artist and therapist who presents Labyrinth
walks and workshops to churches, schools, colleges, retreat groups and
organizations.
Her Web site has advice for walkers, photos showing labyrinths in use, some historical background and links. It also includes a large image of the Chartres design.
- The Murray Creek Labyrinth
- Ann and Bob Elliot have created a classical labyrinth in stone as
part of their Murray Creek Quiet Garden. In their words, it is "a
symbolic ritual and a sacrificial offering ... for the return of the
valley to a place of harmony and peace".
- The Northwest Labyrinth Project
- This is a creation spirituality organization emphasizing cosmology,
pilgrimage, sacred dance, earth wisdom and the Celtic arts. Linda Sewright
runs "workshops with the labyrinth include her personal story
of revelation and healing through dreams and synchronous encounters
along a shamanic pathway; the history of the labyrinth throughout time
and across cultures; and sacred dance as meditative preparation for
walking the path."
- The Prairie Labyrinth
- Bruce and Toby Evans are restoring a five-acre site near Kansas city
to natural prairie, and created a large classical labyrinth just using
paths through the tall grasses in March 1995. This labyrinth is used
for spiritual events and workshops. The site includes many wonderful
aerial photos and a useful set of links.
- The Sacred Path - on a quest of spirit
- This site is a "gateway into the possibilities of spirituality",
with links to many spiritual paths. There is a useful list of labyrinth
locations in the US, organised by state, with addresses, phone,
fax and email contact numbers.
- Walk the Labyrinth - the Haden Institute
- The Haden Institute, based in North Carolina, offers Jungian counseling
and teaching designed to foster spiritual growth. They have a 40' canvas
Chartre-type labyrinth for workshops.
- Walking the Labyrinth
- Ray Whiting, a mandala artist, tells of his spititual experiences
on walking a Chartre-type labyrinth for the first - and second - time.
He also gives us a large picture of the Chartre labyrinth an guidance
on how to "walk" it with your finger and your soul. His Website
also encourages contributions from others, to share their experiences.
- Walking the Labyrinth: A Journey on a Sacred Path
- A thoughtful essay from a Theosophical perspective on the renewal
of spiritual labyrinth use.
- Walking the Labyrinth: A path to knowing and healing
- Sharyn Warren runs labyrinth walks and workshops, with a particular
emphasis on women's spirituality, based in Cary, North Carolina. Her
site includes a useful bibliography.
- Wings to Wisdom
- Eve Eschner Hogan is an author, educator and spiritual guide who has a portable canvas Chartres labyrinth for use on the island of Maui, Hawaii. Her site includes advice and some nice graphics. She has written a book called Rings of Truth which uses labyrinth spirituality in collaboration with Jim Britt.
