World Labyrinth Day is being held today (Saturday, 2 May) and despite COVID-19 local followers will be taking part.
Cynthia Hoogstraten from the Australian Labyrinth Network said there were a number of ways people could participate.
“The purpose has always been for Peace and Unity, although this year we will be including healing for obvious reasons,” Cynthia said.
“Its principal aim is to walk as one at 1pm in our individual time zones to send a wave of peaceful energy around the globe.
“Due to the current COVID-19 restrictions, there are no outdoor public events organised but people can consider options.
“There are online events that people can join through Australian Labyrinth Network.
“They are also able to download the design of a Finger Labyrinth which they can use at home.”
The Bundaberg Region has a permanent Labyrinth at the Uniting Church at Bargara which is open to the public.
“People are invited to walk the Labyrinth, but, of course, must adhere to social distancing and other government guidelines,” Cynthia said.
Cynthia Hoogstraten and Ramona Lane are the Wide Bay representatives for the Australian Labyrinth Network and are enthusiastic advocates of the value of labyrinths.
“Ramona and I both have labyrinths in our gardens and like to create awareness of the benefits of walking labyrinths and facilitate walks,” Cynthia said.
“We have a growing following here in Bundaberg, with an email list of interested people and we use social media to promote events.
“Australia Day was the last public event we were invited to facilitate and the Labyrinth was drawn in the shape of a Koala, as it was symbolic of the bushfire season.
“Labyrinths have been walked for weddings, birthdays, memorials, special group events like International Day of Peace, Memory Walks for Dementia and just for personal reflection.
Cynthia said World Labyrinth Day highlighted the many benefits of walking the labyrinth.
“Individuals can create their own intention whether it is for stress relief, mindfulness, reflection, prayer, exercise, group connection or as a symbolic ritual,” Cynthia said.
“An ideal way to walk is to release or let go as you walk to the centre and then to resolve and receive as you follow the same path out.
“We often place an offering of flowers or found objects into the centre as a way of releasing whatever our personal intention might be.
“There is no wrong or right way to walk a Labyrinth.
“It is different from a maze where the paths can be confusing – with a labyrinth, there is one way in and one way out.”
To celebrate World Labyrinth Day visit the website here.
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