The labyrinth is located on the east side of Sunset Park. It is a seven-circuit labyrinth made with four quadrants. It has a grass path and the walls are made of rocks from the local area. There is a tree stump at the centre for sitting upon or beside.

In March 2007, two members of the Tugaske community discussed the possibility of constructing a labyrinth in Tugaske. They decided to approach the village to see if the Council would support the building of a labyrinth on village property. On April 2, 2007 Rick McCorrister made a presentation on the labyrinth to the Council who then endorsed the building of the labyrinth in Sunset Park near where the Trans-Canada Trail goes through the Park. On May 30, 2007 an information night was held to inform people about the labyrinth – its history and purpose, where it will be built, and how it was decided to build one in Tugaske. From April 3 to June 4 several community members gathered rocks from a local gravel pit and stockpiled them near the site of the labyrinth. On June 4, a group of community volunteers met to construct the labyrinth. The labyrinth’s official opening was June 9, 2007.

TUGASKE LABYRINTH

Constructed by Rev. Rick McCorrister and community volunteers on June 4, 2007

What is a Labyrinth Walk?

A labyrinth is a walking meditation. It has one path in to the centre and the same path leads the walker out of the labyrinth. It is not a maze that is meant to confuse and test the mind. Rather the labyrinth is meant to quiet the mind so that the heart may connect more deeply with the Divine.

There are typically three parts to the labyrinth walk: 1) walking in, 2) time at the centre, 3) walking out.

“Walking in” is a time to let go of all that keeps us from connecting more deeply with the Spirit - purging the thoughts, ideas, and illusions that constrict, inhibit, and distract us from connecting with the Divine. It is preparation for the time we will spend at the centre; and preparation to be open to the Spirit moving within us.

The centre is the place where we come to the centre of ourselves – to the place within us where we meet the Divine, the place where the Spirit connects to our spirit. It is the place of prayer or meditation as we sit or stand with the Divine asking our questions, offering ourselves, and seeking guidance.

“Walking out” is a time to reflect on how we will integrate into our daily living our experience of being at the centre.

You can either walk the labyrinth with a particular question or intent about your life, or you can go in open to receive whatever comes.

Labyrinth Walk Etiquette

Walk at your own pace. You can go as fast or as slow as you wish. We respect the fact that we each need to move at our own pace. Thus, those who need to walk faster can pass those going slower and those who are going slower can allow people to pass them.

Pass those who are walking slower by moving off the path and back on to it once you have passed the person.

Spend as much time in the centre as you need to in prayer, or meditation, or reflection. You do need to be aware of others waiting to move into the centre and not keep them waiting too long.

When you walk out, you may meet people walking in. Step off the path to let them pass and then move back onto the path you stepped off of to continue your journey.

You may greet people if you wish.

It is also acceptable to be in quiet and not greet people, as this can be prayer time. Keep your eyes lowered as you meet people so that they know you are in prayer and do not wish to be greeted.

You may wish to take some time after the walk to write or draw your experience or to just sit with it in prayer.

Before entering the labyrinth, offer some sacred gesture to mark this as sacred time –i.e. ring a prayer bell, bow, make a sign of the cross, etc.

After you finish the walk, repeat the sacred gesture.

Many people find that walking around the circumference of the labyrinth before beginning the walk is a good way to prepare to enter the labyrinth. Many people repeat this at the end as a way to continue to process their experience.