Windham walkers observe World Labyrinth Day

By Jolene Bailey

Measured besides our basic needs such as food, water, and shelter, peace is something that we all need. On a global and personal scale, spirituality can help provide peace to individuals. Open to anyone at any time, the labyrinth is a symbol of creating needed peace and patience in the world. Members of the Unity Center for Spiritual Growth in Windham observed World Labyrinth Day on Saturday, May 6 by participating in a special labyrinth walk at the center on River Road.

Participants observing World Labyrinth Day walk through a
labyrinth set up at the Unity Center for Spiritual Growth in
Windham on River Road on Saturday, May 6. The day
promotes peace and patience in the world.
PHOTO BY JOLENE BAILEY

“This is an opportunity for us to reach out to the community and invite others to share all that way and let them know it's here and they can come anytime. Labyrinth walks are personal, it's about getting quiet and setting an intention like a challenge in life, to get clarity,” said Barbara Kowalska, a member of the board of trustees of the Unity Center.

She said that a labyrinth is a way of redemption and World Labyrinth Day takes place every year on the first Saturday of May.

“At 1 p.m. in every time zone there will be a Labyrinth walk and with the intention of peace and any personal intentions the walker may have. This energy of peace will travel around as the earth spins, peace will be through the planet. I love that idea. I feel it is needed as anytime we can support love, peace, and on a global scale. Letting go of differences and divisions, just uniting with those intentions is a beautiful thing,” said Kowalska.

A common misconception about walking a labyrinth is comparing it to a maze. Although it has its own twists and turns, there is no way to get lost. There’s one way in and one way out. You can also see the twists and turns as a labyrinth is usually a stoned ground structure rather than being built with taller materials.

People often leave tokens and other valuables all around the labyrinth to symbolize them really letting go and opening a sense of new freedom and direction.

“If you put one foot in front of the other, you're going to eventually get to the center. It is about patience and trust about knowing that going forward, you will reach your destination,” said Kowalska.

According to Kowalska, when arriving at the center, you can pause for a few minutes and focus on their attention and wellbeing. There are benches off on the edges of the labyrinth as this is paced by yourself and it can be an emotional journey for some.

“Also, I think the element of surprise because when you walk the labyrinth, you're opening up so you may get insights that you are expecting that can be very helpful and also the sense of relief from a burden you've been carrying,” said Kowalska.

She said that there's no prescription or identification of any particular belief system.

“Christianity has embraced the labyrinth, but anyone from any belief can do it,” Kowalska said. “That’s why they’re global, the reason for that is a potent image. As the world keeps spinning, it doesn’t slow or speed us up. Sometimes as humans our emotions make us have ups and downs. However, those downs aren’t burdens and we can clear the clouds in the sky with a little love.” <