LABYRINTH
So, I was out and about, up to my usual shenanigans looking for what they call “the five stones of river road” in Brunswick...only to find that they are nothing more than property markers. They’re not haunted. They are not some mystical wonder…they are all former property markers from way back when. No one or nothing is hovering around the stones chanting Native American songs. It is simply a rock that was put there to tell people “HEY! YOU’RE ON MY LAND!” So I moved on to find the Labyrinth in the woods.
Deep into the woods, off the beaten path you will a place of peace and serenity. Actually it’s about 100 feet into the woods and about 50 feet off the beaten path, behind and elderly community. But still, it’s tranquil and peaceful...until someone thinks the rules don’t apply to them and lets their dog run free…peeing on all the rocks and benches that make up the beautiful labyrinth…even on the sign that says no dogs allowed on the Labyrinth. Seriously, people, if it says leash your dog, leash your dog.
Where was I? Oh, right, SERENITY NOW! I walk up to the labyrinth and begin the journey towards the center. The path I have left behind is full of parents yelling for their children to STAY ON THE PATH DON’T TOUCH THAT GET BACK HERE, but all I can hear is the scampering playfulness of Scruffy, the seemingly stray dog that has accompanied me on this five minute journey thru the Labyrinth. Scruffy, by the way holds a striking resemblance to Toto, so for my own enjoyment from here on out, I will be Dorothy, he will be Toto and we are on the yellow brick road, (because I love the movie not because he peed on everything).
All background noise is forced out of my head as Scruffy/Toto and I walk the winding circle to the center of the Labyrinth. We make it to the benches and have a seat in the center. (My dog would be so upset with me.)
There is no longer anyone around. Not even anyone looking for Scruffy/Toto. We sit together in the silence and admire the work and dedication this must have taken. This Labyrinth is the works of Rev. Mary Baard and Susan Fitzgerald, who decided THIS is where a Labyrinth should be! When Mary brought the idea to the folks at the Land Trust who over saw the Trail system already here, it was a dream come true for both parties!
The Land Trust thought a Labyrinth was just the thing to bring the community closer and more so, to bring the community closer to the earth and nature. You certainly are not sealed off from the world while walking the labyrinth but you FEEL as if you are. You can see people walking by in the distance but they seem a million miles away.
Individuals from all walks of life are welcome to walk the labyrinth to help in prayer, meditation and healing; to bring one closer to the earth or to become more centered and grounded and to shed off the stressors that can close in on us from day to day.
If you are like me and thought that a Labyrinth was synonymous with a maze don’t worry, you can just walk across it and get out, after all its just stones in the dirt making the path. This is a unicursal labyrinth, which means there is only one way in and one way out. As peaceful as the labyrinth was, I can’t help but think how much more up my alley it would have been if David Bowie had jumped out of the bushes and sashayed thru the place singing “Dance Magic Dance” with a slew of Muppets. Talk about Heaven on earth. Anyway…
Scruffy/Toto followed me back out of the labyrinth and continued to follow me down the woods trail until we heard, “Hey! There you are!” Scruffy/Toto flew back to his owner and that was the end of our dog/human friendship. So, here is where I will say, Labyrinth etiquette states that no dogs are allowed on the Labyrinth but they are allowed on the trails ON LEASH. I LOVE dogs and Scuffy/Toto has an adorable smile a million miles wide, but please be a responsible pet owner and respectful of the people around you and the trails you are on.
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