Our Labyrinth

 

"You go into a maze to lose yourself - you walk a labyrinth to find yourself."

 

The Labyrinth at Chiltern Woodland Burial Park

The background to labyrinths

Labyrinths have been found all over the world, dating from the earliest antiquity. Described as 'unicursal (single-path) magical tools for personal, psychological or spiritual change' , labyrinths have been used for millenia by people from many different cultures. Long used as a meditation and prayer tool, a labyrinth is an ancient symbol that relates to wholeness, combining the imagery of the circle and the spiral into a meandering but purposeful path.

In modern imagery, the labyrinth is often confused with the maze, in which one may become lost . Unlike a maze, which is designed to confuse or baffle the walker, a labyrinth represents a journey to our own centre, and back out again into the world. With a maze many choices must be made and an active mind is needed to solve the problem of finding the centre. When the walker enters the labyrinth, the pathway will lead to the centre, and a more passive, receptive mindset is needed. The only choice to be made is whether to enter the mouth of the labyrinth or not.

Every individual who walks the labyrinth will do so for a different personal reason. Some may just walk for the pleasure of following a convoluted path, others in the hope of seeking self awareness, healing or a connection to their higher self. Walking the pathway of the labyrinth is the process - the purpose is up to you.

 

Creating our labyrinth

Starting with a cross Marking out the paths The Labyrinth at Chiltern Woodland Burial Park

 

Walking the labyrinth Walking the labyrinth

 

 

Chiltern Woodland Burial Park,
Potkiln Lane, Jordans, Beaconsfield,
Bucks, HP9 2XB

01494 872158