I've been privileged to work with two dedicated women in bringing labyrinths to the patients at our hospital. Tammy (recreational therapist) and Kristen, administrator for the Division, have helped me complete a study of the finger labyrinth in patients with stress in the hospital - not surprisingly, the prime reason for Recreational Therapy consultations is stress reduction. The labyrinth seems to help quite a bit, even with as few as 2 sessions, but a bit better in up to 5 sessions. Tammy and Kristen:
Of course, this promoted a whole new line of thought and I decided to go all out and join The Labyrinth Society and attend their annual gathering to see what might be up with the clinical use of labyrinths. A very interesting group of people and my sessions included "Walking the Virtual Chartres Labyrinth" where an intrepid minister Father Paul has memorized the pattern of the Chartres labyrinth and he walked it with us in a very small space - his use is for prisoners confined to a small space. His thought is for them to use a relaxation tool to decrease the stress of confinement. I went to a keynote by Lucy Pringle, one of the premier researchers and authors in the world on crop circles Lucy's website - strange and beautiful images and an attempt at serious science, but still no explanation for the appearance in a short time by apparent nonhuman intervention. One of the gratifying uses of walking labyrinths is by Turning Point Consultants in communities where there has been intense personal stress - the group continues work at New York's ground zero, Katrina-ravaged New Orleans and with various populations of abused teens and young adults.
According to the Labyrinth Society organizers, there were nearly a hundred applications to present sessions and only a fraction could be presented at the 3 day conference.
The conference was in Taos New Mexico, a labyrinth mecca, but a desolate drive from Santa Fe in the dark. Images of some of the conference labyrinths
On the drive back to Santa Fe I got a good view of the stark desert countryside between Taos and Santa Fe. I prefer a bit more green, but these are the true open spaces.
In November, Kathryn and I went to Asheville for a wonderful hot air balloon ride. It was a nice crisp fall morning and even though the leaves had passed their peak, the 8 person balloon was spectacular and we got just over an hour flight over farmland with a peak altitude of just over 3000 feet. The balloon was new and made by the Cameron Ballon Company. Next on the to-do list - hang gliding as I've done skydiving. More to follow on the clinical use of labyrinths as things develop. Balloons over Asheville.....
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