Finding Peace Within Ourselves

Thanks to all who joined us at the Walk in Peace & Native Teachings event at the labyrinth on Thursday June 18th.  These special photos were taken by Kay McKay, and truly capture the spirit and feeling of the event. Interspersed with the photos are comments from our labyrinth committee members and some of the people who attended.

Smudging clears any negative energy and is healing for the mind, body and spirit!

Francine Desjardins, Sunflower, Watching Woman of the Bear Clan, shared teachings on peace and the medicine wheel.

We are reminded to find peace within ourselves, as a way of bringing to the rest of the world.

"What a wonderful gathering in the gardens and at the labyrinth last night! And at the impromptu Circle gathering in the Museum afterwards – during the rain storm…

I was able to finally walk the labyrinth first thing this morning. It was so beautiful to be able to watch the dreamcatcher moving in the breeze as I was walking – and to see the details of the items added – once I got to the centre."

Debby Lytle tells the story and teachings of the dreamcatcher.

We all participate in creating a peacewalk dreamcatcher.

Immersed in the creative process!

"Wonderful event. Everyone really enjoyed doing the communal dreamcatcher."

 "What a lovely picture of the Dream Catcher, it is certainly a great memory of a wonderful walk."

Chris Hume tells the story of the labyrinth and how to get the most out of your walk.

 

Cedar is one of the four sacred medicines given to the First Nations people as a means of communicating with the Creator. Those who wish to, carry a piece of Cedar with them on their labyrinth walk.

Chad Clifford, Blueberry Mountain Flutes (maker) plays his native-style flute during the labyrinth walk.

Going with the flow on the labyrinth - just before the storm.

"I enjoyed walking the labyrinth during the rain storm. Great circle of flute playing in the museum afterwards!"

"I ended up getting to the car just as it really started raining, and then sat for a while. I really wanted to thank you and your fellow Committee members for another memorable labyrinth event!  You had gone to a lot of trouble to make it a success and I loved being able to add to the dreamcatcher, plus I really appreciated the talk, drumming and singing by Francine.  Doing the walk to the flutes with the dark clouds looming was very atmospheric. All in all, a special day."

Rattle and tapping sticks, part of the Drum Circle tradition.

Messages of Peace

Thank you to all who attended to our successful Peace Walk in June.  The weather was beautiful, the evening enjoyable and our mantra of "keeping it simple to pull together" worked!  Our speakers gave participants some "food for thought" and Marion was a wonderful accompaniment for our labyrinth walk.  The labyrinth itself was looking very beautiful, grass neatly trimmed, gardens weeded...just lovely.

Marion Miller playing the harp to accompany us on our Peace Walk

 Here are some of the peace walk images and messages created that evening.

“May we transform into the Peaceful World intended just as the caterpillar transforms, delighting in flight as a butterfly”

These were the messages written on the Labyrinth board ”Messages of Peace”

Teachable teachers teach peace

Peace begins with a smile, Mother Theresa

Paz y asperanza y love!!

Peace, Sunshine, Community

Be the peace amongst the chaos!

Waking before the dawn, a cup of tea with the first bird song

'Walk in Peace' at the Carleton Place Labyrinth

Bring Along Your Own Message of Peace for June 19th 'Walk in Peace' at the Carleton Place Labyrinth

The mind can go in a thousand directions, 

but on this beautiful path, I walk in peace. 

 ~Thich Nhat Hanh 

At 5:30 pm. on Thursday June 19th, the Labyrinth Committee will present our second “Walk in Peace” event at the Community Labyrinth in Carleton Place. With this early evening event, the Committee hopes to focus attention on the need for peace in the world and within ourselves.

Labyrinths have long been used as meditation and prayer tools and have been used for bringing peace and reconciliation between individuals in conflict. “If we can learn to find peace within ourselves, we can bring this peaceful energy into our community and the world.” says Phyl Drennan, a volunteer for The Labyrinth Committee of Carleton Place.

Special guests have been invited to address the theme:
Jeff Mills, Community Development Coordinator for Mills Community Support in Almonte, will speak about healthy/peaceful communities.

Faye Lavergne, owner of Brush Strokes Gallery in Carleton Place, will address finding peace as you "Lighten your Step". Lavergne is also a counselor whose focus is on personal & community development integrating social consciousness.

Bring along a picnic supper, a chair or a blanket. Be prepared to enjoy music provided by harpist Marion Miller, take a walk on the labyrinth,  enjoy the beautiful gardens and find inspiration from our guest speakers.

All are welcome.

Carleton Place Community Labyrinth is located beside the Carleton Place & Beckwith Heritage Museum, at 267 Edmund St. For more information, contact Debby 613-257-1014.

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!