Labyrinths and Peace Poles
"Wander where there is no path. There is no time like the present to 'get lost.' Realize that a path has many expressions: exploring creativity, indulging intuition, pursuing a relationship. Choose one, and get lost on the pathless path today."
Doreen Virtue
Doreen Virtue
Come walk the Peace Trail and witness the power of the Labyrinth - in your life; in your mind; in your community; in the world. Plant a Peace Pole and share your peace story.
The Bear Manor - Dancing Bear Labyrinth
Built in the Classical 7-circuit style, with a "body" at the front like the Dancing Goddess pattern, this Dancing Bear Labyrinth is composed of stone wall-lines, stepping stones with thyme paths, and a gazebo at the center with magical chimes.
It is aligned on a North/South axis, with North, East, & West marked in stained-glass stepping stones, with the body and Entrance on its South side. The beginning of each circuit is also marked with a stained-glass stepping stone. It is 28 feet in diameter and is surrounded by a crab-orchard stone circular walkway and patio. The Winter Solstice sunset is marked with a tall perimeter stone, as is the Summer Solstice sunset.
The seven circular paths can be walked as a representation of the seven major chakras and their influences on the following issues: 1st path (next to the outside) = physical body & family; 2nd = relationships & emotions; 3rd = your power & career; 4th = loving oneself and others; 5th = communication; 6th = intuition & worldview; 7th (next to the gazebo) = your certainty & the appearance you show to the world. In the center, and as you walk out, you will find your answers.
Labyrinths are ancient symbols used as walking meditations: a prayer to the Great Spirit, a healing to the heart, a balm for the troubled soul, and a way to answer private questions. Combining the imagery of a circle and a spiral, a labyrinth is a metaphor for life's journey. A labyrinth always has one path to walk towards the center. From there, you turn around and walk the same path back out; not like a multi-path maze.
Labyrinths are thousands of years old and have been found in Egypt, India, France, England, Algeria, Iceland, Peru, and the USA (Native American). They come in many different patterns. The most widely known and oldest is the Classical 7-circuit labyrinth. Labyrinths can be made out of almost anything -- stone, grass, brick pavers, shrubs, orange tape, string, shoes, tin cans, painted cloth, and lights. It is in the walking that the experience happens. Walking a labyrinth can be a transformation!
So what is so great about a labyrinth? Its power comes from you, when you give yourself permission to take the time out of your day to walk, talk, and listen to God.
Our Dancing Goddess/Dancing Bear Labyrinth was created in 2004 in the front yard of Bear Manor. It is always open to all for walking, free of charge. The stages of creation are shown here! The 7-circuit labyrinth begins on the 3rd path, at the big "Heel" stone (see Entrance sign). Come walk the labyrinth, and experience ancient peace!
Labyrinths are thousands of years old and have been found in Egypt, India, France, England, Algeria, Iceland, Peru, and the USA (Native American). They come in many different patterns. The most widely known and oldest is the Classical 7-circuit labyrinth. Labyrinths can be made out of almost anything -- stone, grass, brick pavers, shrubs, orange tape, string, shoes, tin cans, painted cloth, and lights. It is in the walking that the experience happens. Walking a labyrinth can be a transformation!
So what is so great about a labyrinth? Its power comes from you, when you give yourself permission to take the time out of your day to walk, talk, and listen to God.
Our Dancing Goddess/Dancing Bear Labyrinth was created in 2004 in the front yard of Bear Manor. It is always open to all for walking, free of charge. The stages of creation are shown here! The 7-circuit labyrinth begins on the 3rd path, at the big "Heel" stone (see Entrance sign). Come walk the labyrinth, and experience ancient peace!
The dancing goddess shape was created
Stepping stones & gazebo center added.
Planted Dancing Bear Labyrinth with Chimes
Peace Pole Dedication at
Dancing Bear Labyrinth
June 2006
The Peace Path & Peace Poles
The Peace Path is a connection between world communities, hearts, minds, and physical space. It is about learning to honor the peace within, talking peace, presenting peace, dancing peace, walking in peace. It is dialogue with diverse audiences, and getting to know your neighbor - both next door and several thousands of miles away. It can be made manifest in one's own thoughts, words, deeds, and actions. At Tourism For Peace, we build the Peace Path in our heart, mind, and spirit, and physically in the communities we visit and serve. Linking Peace Paths around the world is our goal - creating sanctuaries, and roads of peace.
Come spend time with community members and other guests building the Peace Path, from the local community Peace Garden to places of peace in the town - the church, the school, the grocery store, a youth leader's house, etc. Wherever peace is supported and encouraged becomes part of the Peace Path - for people to walk and interact with in a manner of peace.
Organic gardens, labyrinths, meditation spaces, playgrounds, and performance areas can be included in the Peace Path, and its path can be dotted with stepping stones, made and decorated by local children. Waterfalls, ponds, natural "backyard habitats", flower gardens, and imaginative places can all be created and included in the Peace Path.
Special Peace Poles: "May Peace Prevail On Earth," can be erected as reminders of this path of peace, and as a dedication to a world at peace.
Peace Pole Dedication Ceremony!
On June 5th, 2006, we added a Peace Pole, from the World Prayer Society, to our Dancing Bear Labyrinth. Over 40 people, including two Cherokee Elders, came to say prayers of peace, walk the labyrinth, and send peace to the world. The Peace Pole has "May Peace Prevail on Earth" in 4 languages: Cherokee, English, Chinese, and Spanish.
Peace ceremonies can be done anywhere - with small groups or a gathering of thousands. Come walk labyrinths, form sacred circles, read prayers, broadcast peace from the heart, sing, and dance!
Honor our physical and spirtual connections to the Earth and to each other. We are one Peoples, one Earth, one Heaven, one Universe. May Peace Prevail On Earth!
To find out more about labyrinths, go to this web page!
Tourism For Peace (TFP)
Teaching peace principles to hosts & guests worldwide