Panel Discussion

SATURDAY MORNING:  Student Panel Discussion 11:15AM - Noon

Meeting Millennials on the Path

Panel Moderator: Jay Stailey

How do Millennials come to know the labyrinth and its value? Though labyrinths seem to resonate with "second-half of life" baby boomers, to those searching for meaning at a younger age, the labyrinth offers a powerful tool to use in reflecting on the first half of life and developing their spiritual beings.

This panel addresses the age-old baby boomer question "Is youth wasted on the young?" In Houston, Texas, in the spring of 2014, a group of young seekers encountered the labyrinth and created a sacred space in the city's historic Fourth Ward. In 2015 they came together to build several more labyrinths in Houston and another in Lyon, France. They continued their journey in 2016 by building a labyrinth in Ecuador.

How does this group feel about the labyrinth as a tool? How do they relate to our ancient archetype? What's on the horizon for young people and their growing relationship with the labyrinth? Hear first hand from this panel of young experts; their experiences, their thoughts, their dreams.

The panel discussion will begin with some background on community building efforts by panel members and moderator, Jay Stailey, and include first hand reporting by the young panel members as well as photos/video of the student experiences. The panel will close with a Q&A session and a few moments of conversation and brainstorming as to how TLS members can engage Millennials in their own communities.

Jay Stailey began walking labyrinths for reflection and clarity while contemplating career change in 2006. Over time, his interest and use of labyrinths as a tool for personal growth and community building grew. Jay became a Veriditas certified labyrinth facilitator in 2012, and continued his journey as a labyrinth coach in 2013. His interest blossomed into labyrinth construction/installation the following year. He shared his labyrinth journey at The Labyrinth Society Gathering in 2015 and has several labyrinth projects on the drawing board. He has created nearly a dozen labyrinths in Houston, TX and as far away as Lyon, France.