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365 Club Daily Walkers: Making the Commitment
Walking and journaling. Walking and journaling. Walking and journaling. Listening. Connecting. Learning. Is it a different journey each day when the foot first falls on the labyrinth’s path or a finger starts its circuitous tracing? What would it be like to walk a labyrinth every day for a year?
 The Labyrinth Society offers a unique opportunity—connecting with others of like heart on a daily basis through the 365 Club. This is a dedicated group of labyrinth enthusiasts committed to walking a labyrinth every day for a year. As of February 2004, there were 129 members, growing from 70 members in Atlanta when the group was initially formed in 2001.
The majority of comments from daily walkers have been that the labyrinth helps them feel more centered and brings clarity to
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“Solvitur ambulando – It is solved by walking.”
often attributed to St. Augustine of Hippo
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life issues. Some are reporting that the labyrinth seems to have become a part of their being—bringing a sense of peace to all aspects of their lives. The overall consensus is that whether walkers are choosing to fulfill the 365 Club daily commitment or not, all are receiving enlightening messages about their individual life journeys. To many, the labyrinth is a valuable spiritual tool—those familiar with its energies see this as truth. Many of the 365 Club believe that walking a labyrinth on a daily basis is a deepening commitment to spiritual development in their daily lives.
 Participation Guidelines
Interested in making a commitment? Below are some general guidelines for participation:
- If you are lucky enough to have one available, it is preferable to walk on a full-size labyrinth, but finger labyrinths, those drawn on paper or in the sand and virtual labyrinths are all acceptable (see side column for Labyrinth Options).
- Everyone is allowed up to two weeks of vacation or 14 days “off” throughout the year.
- There is no right or wrong way to walk/run/crawl/dance the labyrinth. Use any process that works for you. Trying techniques that you haven't used before may offer the diversity you need to stay committed to the process.
- We encourage you to keep a daily, weekly or monthly journal of your walking experiences. (Note: We are not insisting on this, whatever resonates is what you should do. If you feel like simply storing the experiences away in your heart or mind, this is acceptable, too.) The idea is twofold—one is to document any changes you experience throughout the year and two, we hope you will share your experiences with others and writing them down may help with this process.
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"To travel is to take a journey into yourself."
Dena Kaye
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Everyone comes to the labyrinth with a different set of experiences and approach to a daily walking commitment. One member suggested using forms to track different ways she walked her labyrinth fingerboards and the various emotional/physical feelings she experienced. Others choose not to journal at all.
If you do decide to journal, below are a few questions you might wish to consider:
- When do you have a particularly strong experience?
- Is there any kind of pattern?
- What about evidence of spiritual development?
- Did you have to stop walking every day? Why?
- Have you had any special insights about the labyrinth? About your life?
- Is there any difference between walking a classical, Chartres or other type of labyrinth?
Photo Credits:
Photo of feet on the labyrinth by Cindy Pavlinac
Photo of finger labyrinth by John Ridder
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