East Bay Labyrinth Project Contact, Nina Ham  526-7377

Third Sunday of Every Month, 3PM, Willard Middle School Laybrinth.  The East Bay Labyrinth Project has decided to hold walks at the Willard Middle School labyrinth (on Telegraph between Derby and Parker) the third Sunday of every month, at 3p.m. Though many of us use and benefit from solo walks, much of the purpose of the Willard labyrinth has been to create and support community. We're hoping that having regularly scheduled walks will draw many of you to join us, to share together in the quiet focus of labyrinth walking as we move into the challenges of 2004.  The first scheduled walk will occur on Jan. 18th at 3:00p.m. It's fitting that that date is Martin Luther King's birthday. We can honor and draw inspiration from his memory as we walk for peace and justice in the world.  I hope to see many of you there. Please feel free to bring friends, family and neighbors. Nina

 The East Bay Labyrinth Project

The East Bay Labyrinth Project is a group of volunteers dedicated to the installation of a permanent 11-circuit stone labyrinth at a public and accessible site in Berkeley.  Our goal is to introduce the community at alrge to the benefits of walking the labyrinth while creating opportunities for interested people to have a direct experience of this activity. 

The Demonstration Labyrinth at Willard Middle School

Working in partnership with the school and the Willard Greening Project gardens,  two dozen EBLP volunteers, led by master labyrinth installer Richard Feather Anderson, painted the 35-foot pattern on the asphalt in August 16-17, 2003.  We spent Saturday drawing the intricate pattern on the blacktop with chalk and Sunday painting the design into the asphalt. This labyrinth gives people a direct experience of walking an 11-circuit labyrinth as we build community support for the permanent installation.  

The labyrinth is available for people to walk during non-school hours.  If the front gate on Telegraph is locked, you may enter the schoolyard on Derby St. by way of the dirt road across from Andronico's driveway.

 Labyrinth Peace Walks

As part of our community outreach, the EBLP has sponsored several peace walks on a canvas labyrinth led by Margie Adam, a singer, songwriter and labyrinth facilitator.  We will continue to offer guided walks at the new Willard Community Peace Labyrinth.  To find out about upcoming events, check back here, call 510 526-7377, or email Nina@NinaHam.com. 

About Labyrinths

Labyrinths are ancient patterns found in many cultures around the world. They date as far back as 5,000 years.  Their design is based on the spiral in nature, with one path leading to the center and back out again.  Unlike a maze, a labyrinth has no tricks or dead ends.  It is not designed for you to lose your way, but rather to help you find it.

 There are many different styles of labyrinths, including the classic Cretan labyrinth and the 11-circuit medieval labyrinth, which consists of one continuous path of 11 rounds, or "circuits," leading to the center.

 The Labyrinth Experience 

Walking the labyrinth is an increasingly popular activity. When you walk the labyrinth, the path is in full view, which allows you to focus inwardly.   

Many find that walking the labyrinth, individually and in community, offers a powerful way to ground our peace and justice work in the world.

Many people find that walking the labyrinth that leads to the center and out again to be quite centering, even healing (for this reason, some hospitals and medical centers now include labyrinths).  Some find that walking the labyrinth puts them in touch with a sense of peace and the "still small voice" of conscience.   

But the labyrinth can be approached on any level; kids (and adults) often enjoy it simply as a fun, winding path to follow.  In addition, labyrinths can serve as beautiful pieces of art utilizing a variety of materials including mosaic tile, stone and flowers. 

Bringing a Stone Labyrinth to Berkeley

The East Bay Labyrinth Project (EBLP) is dedicated to creating a stone labyrinth of great beauty in a natural setting easily served by public transportation.  Since the labyrinth will be flat to accommodate people with disabilities, it will not interfere with views, and it will be constructed of materials that harmonize with the natural environment.  

Next Steps for the EBLP

The EBLP's next steps are twofold: to seek input and approval from relevant commissions and ultimately from the Berkeley City Council; and to raise funds for the permanent installation.