The labyrinth is an ancient spiritual tool. The winding circuitous walk symbolizes a pilgrim's walk with God.

The labyrinth is an archetype, a divine imprint, found in all religious traditions, in various forms around the world and throughout history. The labyrinth is not a maze; there are no tricks to it and no dead ends. The path winds throughout and becomes a mirror of the way we live our lives; it touches our sorrows and releases our joys. So walk it with an open heart and mind.

The Valle Crucis Conference Center is excited to offer two labyrinth experiences. In addition to our indoor labyrinth, we were able to layout and construct one outdoor labyrinth, with the help of one of our Board members (Jaan Ferree), during the summer of 2000.

The indoor labyrinth at the Valle Crucis Conference Center is an eleven-circuit medieval labyrinth patterned after the one at Chartres Cathedral in France. Our labyrinth is painted on canvas, created by Veriditas, the Grace Cathedral Labyrinth Project in San Francisco. It was purchased through a generous grant from the Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina.

The first outdoor labyrinth is mown in our hayfield down by Dutch Creek. This is a seven circuit labyrinth and it is located in the middle of this special valley next to the creek where the sounds of water, birds, and nature help the walker to experience God's presence. During the first week after we had laid out this labyrinth, I happened on two deer in the exact center. We were both very startled to see each other and they quickly jumped the creek and left the area.

The rediscovery of the medieval labyrinth, a twelfth century mystical tool, is one of the most important spiritual developments of our day. Throughout human history, pilgrimage, the search for the holy, has been a recurrent movement. The Hebrew scriptures frequently represent God's people journeying, to a land of Promise, to Zion, to sacred places. The Psalms also bear witness to this yearning deep within the heart of the Covenant people. The first Christians were called "people of the Way" and they willingly followed the path Jesus set before them.

In the Middle Ages, Christians were expected to travel to the Holy Land at least once during their lives. As travel became more dangerous during the Crusades, certain cathedrals throughout Europe were designated as "pilgrimage cathedrals." Christians would travel to those sites where they would walk a labyrinth laid in the cathedral's stone floor. This is why these labyrinths were sometimes called the "New Jerusalem."

These early pilgrims walked the labyrinth as we do today; as a metaphor of our life's journey. Today labyrinths are being used in churches, in hospitals, in retirement centers, in parks, in prisons, and in retreat and conference centers. The labyrinth appeals to all ages from young adults to senior citizens.

The labyrinth walk is different each time one walks it. Often people find peace, solace, release, and a deep sense of joy. When walked with a community of people, the walk is a shared journey, an activity which groups do together to coalesce and unify visions.

The labyrinth has a single path into and out of the center. Start your walk by removing your shoes. Then clear your mind and become aware of your breath. You may want to say a prayer before you move to the entrance. As you start to walk, find your own pace. There is no need to rush. Some people will walk faster, others more slowly. An average walk takes 20 to 30 minutes.

Because the labyrinth is a two-way street, you may "pass" people, or let others step around you, whichever is easiest. Those going in will meet those coming out. Do what feels natural.

Sometimes it is helpful to think about your walk as employing the traditional three-fold spiritual path: Purgation, Illumination, Union. Purgation is the walk in to the center, letting go of the details of your life, shedding thoughts and emotions. It empties and quiets the mind. Illumination is when you reach the center. Stay there as long as you like. It is a place of meditation and prayer. Receive what is there for you to receive. Union is joining God, your Higher Power. Each time you walk the labyrinth you become more empowered to find and to do the work you feel your soul is reaching for, the work God is calling you to do in the world.

There is no right way or wrong way to walk the labyrinth. Simply relax and enjoy your journey.

Please call Tom Eshelman at the Valle Crucis Conference Center (828-963-4453) or contact us by e-mail at vccc@highsouth.com for additional information or to be added to our mailing list. You can check our schedule for labyrinth walks and workshops on our Schedule of Events. Commemorate your experience with the Labyrinth with a Labyrinth T-Shirt.

All groups can schedule a labyrinth walk (when space is available) at a small charge when your group is spending at least one night at VCCC. VCCC will also be offering open walks to the public from time to time.

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