Labyrinths in Places
Labyrinths are found in many places. Some are permanent and some are brought in temporarily for events. The challenge for labyrinth enthusiasts is often how to get permission to introduce a labyrinth into a specific environment. This section of the website examines some of the places where labyrinths may be found, the benefits of having them there, how they are used, and how people were able to install them there in the first place!
Approaching Your Healthcare Institution about Getting a Labyrinth
By Robert Ferré
Institutions are not likely to act on a suggestion such as, “Why don’t we get a labyrinth?” It is usually necessary to supply supporting information to show the many returns on investment that labyrinths have to offer. Research regarding the benefits of labyrinth walking is available on the research page of the TLS website as well as by contacting the TLS Research Chair for information.
In addition to supporting research and all of the above-described benefits, those who want to approach their healthcare institution about getting a labyrinth can also consider the following strategies:
- Invite the decision-makers to view the TLS DVD: Labyrinths for Our Time; Places of Refuge in a Hectic World.
- Provide examples of other hospitals that have labyrinths and use them effectively.
- Note that labyrinths are well established in other areas of business and industry.
- Invite decision-makers to see labyrinths as a valuable part of complementary and alternative healthcare.
- Show that labyrinths offer a way of being progressive that is attractive to patients and therefore good for business.
- Do the footwork: make a proposal, with design, cost, location, funding strategies, etc.
- Recruit an inside advocate: a chaplain, a nurse, or someone to help promote it; creating a committee is best.
- Bring a portable labyrinth or create a temporary labyrinth on site for administrators to experience first hand.
- Raise the funds to pay for the labyrinth, often through a non-profit auxiliary group (“Friends of . . . “).
- Approach the architect of the new hospital expansion and renovation, to add a labyrinth to the plan.
- Provide finger labyrinths for the waiting rooms.
- Put up informative posters with beautiful labyrinth photos.
- Finally, be patient. The process of getting a labyrinth into an institution or public setting can sometimes take years of education, promotion, and fund raising.
Probably the most powerful and convincing argument is to show how labyrinths fit into and benefit the healing process and environment. To that end, the TLS DVD mentioned as the first suggestion above is available to support making a stand for labyrinths in a variety of community settings. Please contact the Outreach , for more information on how to obtain a copy. In addition, the Labyrinth Enterprises website below has a list of some 200 hospitals with labyrinths as well as examples and photos.
Support and networking for those interested in labyrinths is also available through attending The Labyrinth Society’s Annual Gathering, an event that provides an opportunity to meet labyrinths enthusiasts from all over the world, attend labyrinth-centered workshops and learn from labyrinth experts. The Labyrinth Society also sponsors World Labyrinth Day on the first Saturday of May. To find out when and where World Labyrinth Day events will be held, visit the Labyrinth Society Events Calendar. To find a labyrinth near you, visit our Labyrinth Locator.
Prepared for The Labyrinth Society web site by Robert Ferré, labyrinth designer, builder, author, workshop leader, and event facilitator. Visit the Labyrinth Enterprises web site for more information.