In the next few weeks our Tri-City communities will have a new resource to assist us in our journey of life. This resource is an ancient tool known as a labyrinth. Labyrinths have been found in many cultures around the world and are known to have existed as far back as 2000 B.C. As a result of the vision and effort of Crossroads Hospice Society, a labyrinth will soon become the focal point of the Crossroad’s Healing Garden scheduled to open in Port Moody’s Pioneer Memorial Park in July 2009.

A labyrinth is often confused with a maze. The two, though similar, serve very different purposes. Mazes are puzzle-like. The goal of a maze is to solve the puzzle as quickly as possible by avoiding the various detours and dead ends. To successfully solve a maze requires being mentally alert, showing careful attention to choices and detail. In contrast, a labyrinth is walked slowly for the purpose of contemplation and reflection. With a labyrinth there are no obstacles to overcome or puzzles to solve. Rather, there is the simplicity of a single path leading to the centre of the labyrinth and back out again.

Since one’s destination is assured the process of walking a labyrinth is the meditative and symbolic discipline of setting one foot in front of the other and honouring the journey. When walking a labyrinth the mind is still with the knowledge that the path will take you where you need to go. A labyrinth helps move an individual out of their mind where anxiety and fear reign, and into their body where they can experience peace, and joy, and serenity. A labyrinth is a powerful tool for developing inner peace.

It is said that a labyrinth represents our life journey — to find our centre and come back out into the world again. In my own experience with walking a labyrinth I have enjoyed moments of deep peace, grace, and ease. The quiet simplicity of walking a labyrinth has been helpful in my desire to find peace and joy in the midst of a busy life.

I’m confident the Crossroad’s Labyrinth Healing Garden will make a valuable contribution to the quality of life, not only to those individuals making peace with the passing of a loved one, but for all of us who desire more peace and joy in our day to day lives. Just as the building of a free-standing hospice in our community has served to encourage the expression of caring and compassion that exists here, so too the labyrinth will encourage the deepening of our relationship to our inner self.

I’m eager with anticipation to see how this ancient tool will revitalize our relationship with ourselves, as well as serve as a gathering place for the community to come together in quiet reflection and contemplation. I hope you share this enthusiasm and generously support Crossroads in creating this place of beauty and peace in our community. I’m also grateful to the City of Port Moody for their encouragement and support in making the labyrinth project a reality.

To learn more about the Labyrinth Healing Garden, visit www.crossroadshospice.bc.ca or visit Pioneer Memorial Park, Ioco Road and Newport Drive, Port Moody.