The Labyrinth:

The path is the same, but each journey unique.

Swept up in a dizzying pace, many people today find themselves driven and distracted – cut off from themselves and others, even removed from the cycles of seasons.

The labyrinth offers a refuge from a splintered lifestyle. At times mimicking spirals from nature, the labyrinth is an ancient pattern found in countless cultures from around the world. It forms a single circuitous path to a center. But unlike a maze, a labyrinth has no dead ends or surprises. Its purpose is not to confuse, but to calm.

A labyrinth can be traveled on foot – a kind of walking meditation – or on a smaller scale, followed with the finger. We use the labyrinth here as a symbol of the age-old pursuit of mental, physical, and spiritual well-being.

History:

Integral to myths, art, and architecture, the labyrinth dates back at least 4,000 years. Prehistoric labyrinths may have served as traps for malevolent spirits or paths used for ritual dances. Throughout the ages, labyrinths have continued to be symbolic forms of pilgrimage and paths toward enlightenment. The labyrinth has been called the Medicine Wheel or Man in the Maze in Native American culture, Never Ending Circle by the Celts, and Kabala in mystical Judaism.

We've modeled our labyrinth after one of the most famous, which was built in 1201 at Chartres Cathedral, outside of Paris. Dr. Weil also used a Chartres replica for the stone labyrinth built on his ranch near Tucson, Arizona.

Begin:

There is no right or wrong way to move through the labyrinth. Simply use these three stages as a guide:

Release. As you begin your journey, shed the details and distractions of your daily life.
Receive. Accept what is offered at the center of the labyrinth.
Return. Go back to your world, sharing any healing or insights you've received.

We hope the labyrinth, no matter its form, inspires you to take your own unique journey toward optimum health.