Reflecting on our "Walk in Peace" Event

While we began in 2008 fundraising and building our community labyrinth, our role has now evolved to that of labyrinth keepers and event planners.  We are striving always to bring awareness of the labyrinth to our community and surrounding area.

The concept for our recent "Walk in Peace" event, held on Thursday, June 20th, 2013 was to hold a community picnic supper, starting at 5:30 pm,  in the garden that is situated close to our labyrinth.

A perfect evening for a summer picnic!

We invited speakers to come and present a short talk on “Inner Peace”(Claudia Baker, retired teacher and practicing Buddhist) and “Global Peace”(Peggy Edwards, Grandmothers Advocacy Network).

Claudia Baker shares some inspiring quotes from Thich Nhat Hanh.

Peggy Edwards speaks passionately on behalf of African Grandmothers

We followed this with a singing bowl meditation in the garden (led by Karen Jones), an introduction to labyrinth walking and then a walk.  The singing bowls were played during the walk.

We are accompanied on our labyrinth walk by the healing vibrations of the crystal singing bowls!

There were a few props around, a blanket with children’s books on peace, a bucket of bubbles and wands.  We use shepherd hooks around the labyrinth and hung laminated reflections on “Peace” that people could read prior to entering the labyrinth.  Around our labyrinth are 4 benches framed by gardens (we call these meditation areas).  On each of the benches we placed books on peace and finger labyrinths for those unable to walk.

We set up a table with material scraps for event attendees to write prayers and thoughts about peace on.  These were hung with clothes pegs on a line strung between a couple of trees when completed, similarly to the peace/praryer flags seen in Tibet.  This was a popular activity and the squares have gone home with one of our committee members to be sewn together into a “quilt top”.

Event attendees share their thoughts about peace!

A prayer flag is a colorful rectangular cloth, often found strung along mountain ridges and peaks high in the Himalayas. They are used to bless the surrounding countryside and for other purposes.  Traditionally, prayer flags are used to promote peace, compassion, strength, and wisdom. The flags do not carry prayers to gods, which is a common misconception; rather, the Tibetans believe the prayers and mantras will be blown by the wind to spread the good will and compassion into all pervading space. Therefore, prayer flags are thought to bring benefit to all.

The weather couldn't have been more perfect and the feeling throughout the evening was one of community, unity and peace.  Some people that had arrived frazzled and stressed by their day - left feeling renewed and refreshed!