The labyrinth as a path of healing

Abstract:  Amidst the stressors in life, people are searching for holistic healing.  The labyrinth, a path for walking meditation, has been introduced as a way to deal with life stressors.  Labyrinths are being built in hospitals, schools, parks, and prisons.  What is the impact of walking the labyrinth on participants?  This presentation demonstrated ways in which the effects of labyrinth walking are consistent with qualities associated with healing.  Although healing is a personal and unique experience, there are qualities of healing that are consistently described in the literature. In this poster presentation, the relationship between "labyrinth effects," as described by labyrinth walkers, and the healing process was shown.  Individuals who have walked labyrinths in various settings have shared their responses to the experience.  Using the Labyrinth Walk Questionnaire (Rhodes, 2006), over 500 reports of the effects of walking the labyrinth have been completed.  Review of the reports has shown the positive relationship of responses with definitions of healing presented in the holistic nursing literature.  The action research results reported here – data collected following real-life labyrinth walks rather than controlled situations – support the efficacy of the labyrinth as a path of healing.  Results show a positive relationship of responses with definitions of healing in the holistic nursing literature.  For a majority of walkers (66% - 82%) labyrinth walking increased levels of relaxation, clarity, peace, centeredness, openness, quiet, and reflectiveness, and reduced levels of anxiety, stress, and agitation.  The experience of labyrinth walking supports recovery, renewal, integration of the whole person, and facilitating a sense of harmony.

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