The power of labyrinths as a meditation tool is expanding to also become a tool for connecting people. The laughing labyrinth encourages eye contact, friendly hugs and high fives, giggles, and boisterous laughter. It has been documented that the cause of drug addiction may actually be from a lack of connection. There is a need for interactive, self-guided, as well as event-lead means for connection in our society, especially on college campuses. The labyrinth is a perfect platform for personal meditation as well as group meditation and interaction. Multiple Oregon State University programs, which focus on inter-connection, mindfulness, stress release, community, and cultural exchange for practicing peace, are being invited to create a laughing labyrinth on campus.
This may be a painted mural outside one of the Native American cultural student centers or near a campus athletic facility. Each spring there is a large “yoga in the quad” event, that offers a unique outdoor group yoga experience. So, we are proposing to install a sixty-nine foot temporary stake-and-string laughing labyrinth for an event that offers this new form of yoga. The intent is to increase well-being on campus within interactive and self-guided programs. Especially with the Linus Pauling Institute located here at Oregon State University, the possibility of creating a place for peace in the symbol of a laughing labyrinth continues the peace advocacy of Dr. Linus Pauling, Nobel Peace Laureate.