| Sacred Journeys |
The metaphysical labyrinth
The metaphysical labyrinth is not to be confused with a
maze. A maze has multiple paths and the walker has
many choices to make while trying to reach the goal by
finding the way out. And it is not a crop circle.
The metaphysical labyrinth has only one path and the
walker is not challenged to find the right way. The path
gently takes them to center which is the goal. It has
been expressed as a metaphor for life - sometimes we
seem to be off center and going in circles, but if we
continue on we will reach our goal.
The metaphysical labyrinth is not to be confused with a
maze. A maze has multiple paths and the walker has
many choices to make while trying to reach the goal by
finding the way out. And it is not a crop circle.
The metaphysical labyrinth has only one path and the
walker is not challenged to find the right way. The path
gently takes them to center which is the goal. It has
been expressed as a metaphor for life - sometimes we
seem to be off center and going in circles, but if we
continue on we will reach our goal.
The meditative path
Walking the labyrinth is a type of meditation. In the
quiet of 'just' walking we often find the answers we are
seeking. Walking a labyrinth is a way to get in touch
with the inner self. All of us need a time to be able to
forget the daily stuff that seems to consume our lives.
The path in the labyrinth allows us to just take a deep
breath and follow it with no concern about getting lost.
In the center is a spot where we can reflect gently on
who and what we truly are. As we walk the path back
out of the labyrinth, we take with us a new sense of
ourselves.
Walk in love, peace and joy.
Walking the labyrinth is a type of meditation. In the
quiet of 'just' walking we often find the answers we are
seeking. Walking a labyrinth is a way to get in touch
with the inner self. All of us need a time to be able to
forget the daily stuff that seems to consume our lives.
The path in the labyrinth allows us to just take a deep
breath and follow it with no concern about getting lost.
In the center is a spot where we can reflect gently on
who and what we truly are. As we walk the path back
out of the labyrinth, we take with us a new sense of
ourselves.
Walk in love, peace and joy.
| Circles in the Sand |
Sacred Journeys has created a special project for 2011
called Circles in the Sand. Starting on February 1st, Denny
started creating hand drawn labyrinths on the coast of
southern Oregon. The intent of Circles in the Sand is to build
temporary labyrinths that everyone can enjoy and have a
better understanding what a labyrinth is.
Denny moved to the southern coast of Oregon in 2007 and
drew his first labyrinth in the sand on the beach at Whiskey
Run in Bandon.
called Circles in the Sand. Starting on February 1st, Denny
started creating hand drawn labyrinths on the coast of
southern Oregon. The intent of Circles in the Sand is to build
temporary labyrinths that everyone can enjoy and have a
better understanding what a labyrinth is.
Denny moved to the southern coast of Oregon in 2007 and
drew his first labyrinth in the sand on the beach at Whiskey
Run in Bandon.
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
| Sacred Journeys is dedicated to the path of the labyrinth as a means of transformation and healing. |
From Denny - February 2011
Although I did not know it at the time, this part of my journey started in 1996 when I was introduced to the studies of
Ernest Holmes (1887-1960). I took a Foundation class to religious science at the Claremont Church of Religious Science
(now Claremont Center for Spiritual Living) and after completing four years of studies, I became a licensed Religious
Science Practitioner (RScP). I met Reverend Pamela Kilbourne, founder of Sacred Space Ministries, in 2002 when I was
asked to assist her at a labyrinth event she was hosting. I did not know what a labyrinth was then, but did some research
and found out that is was not a maze, but amazing. At the event, I walked my first labyrinth. The Chartres labyrinth was
a canvas, hand painted by Reverend Pamela, and was over 40 feet in diameter. She became my mentor and for the next
year (along with teaching classes and starting a new job) I learned a lot about the path of the labyrinth. My most
remembered quote from her is "The labyrinth is my church without walls". I assisted her with events and in 2003 I hosted
the labyrinth at a week long retreat in Asilomar, California. Reverend Pamela moved to New Zealand to continue Sacred
Space Ministries and I created Sacred Journeys to continue my path with the labyrinth.
I did not have a canvas at the time, so I was creating labyrinths anyway I could - chalk in parking lots, rope on lawns. I
had done a lighted (tube lighting) labyrinth at Asilomar with the kids. Sacred Journeys was gifted with the funds to
purchase a canvas. I decided on the 24 foot Santa Rosa labyrinth or, maybe it decided on me (it is a contemporary
medieval style labyrinth created by Lea Goode-Harris, PhD in 1997). The inaugural walk for this canvas was on December
19th, 2003 and I estimated that there have been over 1,000 walkers since then. Sacred Journeys became a means of
setting up a sacred space for the labyrinth experience. I did not do much with temporary labyrinths again until I found
SAND!
In August of 2007 my wife and I moved to Coquille, Oregon which is about 30 minutes from the coast inland from Bandon
and Coos Bay. I drew the first circles in October and a few more over the next several years. In 2010, I practiced
creating large labyrinths in the sand and that learning continues today. In December 2010 I put a 20 foot lighted baltic
wheel labyrinth in my yard for the holidays. I was 'drawn' in again by the path of the labyrinth. I had enough lights to
create a 32 foot baltic wheel but did not have the room. Shay, a friend of ours, said I could use her yard. So on January
19th I created the largest lighted labyrinth I have done to date and it was supercalifragilistcally perfect. I had always
planned on creating more labyrinths on the coast, but now I just couldn't wait. So on February 1st, I launched Circles in
the Sand as a special project of Sacred Journeys. I would draw a 50 foot Santa Rosa labyrinth at Elephant Rock, Bandon
with the help of a dear friend, Lynn Studley, who also took pictures for me (she took most of the "Shay labyrinth" photos
as well). Someone sent pictures to the local media and it drew a lot of attention. Circles in the Sand is about bringing the
labyrinth to everyone to enjoy and experience. I am now referring to this as "A Labyrinth Experience 2011". The next
outing was on February 13th and I drew two 50 foot labyrinths (the Santa Rosa and the Chartres) with Lita, my wife,
assisting me.
Gail Elber from The World (local coast newspaper) came and shared the experience with us and honored the labyrinth with
a great article (see article) that was on the first page. Thank you Gail.
Circles in the Sand has become a passion with me and I will continue to draw labyrinths whenever and where ever I can.
Any suggestions on other locations?
Draw ON !
Walk your path in the Light of Love,
Denny
Although I did not know it at the time, this part of my journey started in 1996 when I was introduced to the studies of
Ernest Holmes (1887-1960). I took a Foundation class to religious science at the Claremont Church of Religious Science
(now Claremont Center for Spiritual Living) and after completing four years of studies, I became a licensed Religious
Science Practitioner (RScP). I met Reverend Pamela Kilbourne, founder of Sacred Space Ministries, in 2002 when I was
asked to assist her at a labyrinth event she was hosting. I did not know what a labyrinth was then, but did some research
and found out that is was not a maze, but amazing. At the event, I walked my first labyrinth. The Chartres labyrinth was
a canvas, hand painted by Reverend Pamela, and was over 40 feet in diameter. She became my mentor and for the next
year (along with teaching classes and starting a new job) I learned a lot about the path of the labyrinth. My most
remembered quote from her is "The labyrinth is my church without walls". I assisted her with events and in 2003 I hosted
the labyrinth at a week long retreat in Asilomar, California. Reverend Pamela moved to New Zealand to continue Sacred
Space Ministries and I created Sacred Journeys to continue my path with the labyrinth.
I did not have a canvas at the time, so I was creating labyrinths anyway I could - chalk in parking lots, rope on lawns. I
had done a lighted (tube lighting) labyrinth at Asilomar with the kids. Sacred Journeys was gifted with the funds to
purchase a canvas. I decided on the 24 foot Santa Rosa labyrinth or, maybe it decided on me (it is a contemporary
medieval style labyrinth created by Lea Goode-Harris, PhD in 1997). The inaugural walk for this canvas was on December
19th, 2003 and I estimated that there have been over 1,000 walkers since then. Sacred Journeys became a means of
setting up a sacred space for the labyrinth experience. I did not do much with temporary labyrinths again until I found
SAND!
In August of 2007 my wife and I moved to Coquille, Oregon which is about 30 minutes from the coast inland from Bandon
and Coos Bay. I drew the first circles in October and a few more over the next several years. In 2010, I practiced
creating large labyrinths in the sand and that learning continues today. In December 2010 I put a 20 foot lighted baltic
wheel labyrinth in my yard for the holidays. I was 'drawn' in again by the path of the labyrinth. I had enough lights to
create a 32 foot baltic wheel but did not have the room. Shay, a friend of ours, said I could use her yard. So on January
19th I created the largest lighted labyrinth I have done to date and it was supercalifragilistcally perfect. I had always
planned on creating more labyrinths on the coast, but now I just couldn't wait. So on February 1st, I launched Circles in
the Sand as a special project of Sacred Journeys. I would draw a 50 foot Santa Rosa labyrinth at Elephant Rock, Bandon
with the help of a dear friend, Lynn Studley, who also took pictures for me (she took most of the "Shay labyrinth" photos
as well). Someone sent pictures to the local media and it drew a lot of attention. Circles in the Sand is about bringing the
labyrinth to everyone to enjoy and experience. I am now referring to this as "A Labyrinth Experience 2011". The next
outing was on February 13th and I drew two 50 foot labyrinths (the Santa Rosa and the Chartres) with Lita, my wife,
assisting me.
Gail Elber from The World (local coast newspaper) came and shared the experience with us and honored the labyrinth with
a great article (see article) that was on the first page. Thank you Gail.
Circles in the Sand has become a passion with me and I will continue to draw labyrinths whenever and where ever I can.
Any suggestions on other locations?
Draw ON !
Walk your path in the Light of Love,
Denny
| Whiskey Run, Bandon, OR in October 2007 My first circles in the sand and I had no idea at the time |