There is no one way to walk the labyrinth, but here are a few suggestions:

• Before entering the labyrinth, take a deep breath and set an intention for your walk.
• Walk at your own natural pace.
• Know you cannot get lost.
• Relax your breath and body as you walk.
• Savour the quiet needed for contemplation.
• Be aware of your senses and your surroundings.
• Feel free to move around others on the path.
• Pause in the centre for as long as you like.
• Return on the same path.
• Take the time you need.
• Experience your experience.
• Breathe.

The Brock installation is a 7 circuit classical labyrinth, also known as a Cretan labyrinth.  Classical labyrinths are approximately 4000 years old and the design has been discovered on ancient Greek coins in Crete, on petroglyphs, and across many international regions such as Spain and India. Another common labyrinth design is the Medieval labyrinth which is often found in churches, the most famous being the installation in Chartres Cathedral in France dating from the 13^th century (Buchanan, 2007). The Medieval labyrinth is 11 circuits and includes many turns embedded within four quadrants. It commonly contains a rose shape in the centre.

According to Sellers and Moss (2016) “ the labyrinth is an international image: appearing in many faiths, cultures and communities, it does not belong to any single tradition and can be walked by people of all faiths and none.”

It is often easy to confuse the use of these two words. In popular culture the word labyrinth is often used to denote a maze rather than the unicursal path designed for mindful walking. Whereas the purpose of a maze is to get you lost, the purpose of a labyrinth is to allow you to find yourself. Instead of obstacles and dead ends, which leave you confused and potentially agitated, a labyrinth allows you to focus on simply following the path as you reflect on life’s journey. There is only one path to the centre and you return the way you came in. On a labyrinth path you cannot get lost.

Another important distinction is that a maze often includes an element of competition with the end goal of finding your way out. It is a puzzle to be solved, an amusement or game. The labyrinth is not competitive: the focus is on the journey, not the outcome.

Read an overview of the origins of the labyrinth by Professor Adam Rappold from the Brock University Department of Classics.

Research suggests there are many benefits to engaging with the labyrinth, notably that of stress reduction, and feelings of calmness and peacefulness (Rhodes, 2016). Walking mindfully without obstacles allows us to reflect on our academic or personal journey (Sellers & Moss, 2016) and potentially leads to greater insights. Psychologically, labyrinth walking can assist people with processing grief (Wasko-Flood, 2012), reducing anxiety, agitation and stress (Rhodes, 2008), and promoting creativity and intuition (Michels, Maxwell, & Chang, 2008). Having a reflective space for such activity is important to mental and emotional wellbeing of all members of the Brock community.

In addition, there is growing interest in the use of labyrinths for teaching and learning. It is experiential in nature and provides a creative space for deepening reflection. It is hoped that faculty and instructors will utilize the labyrinth to assist students in making connections between course curriculum and its relevance in their own lives. ​

In 2018 the Centre for Pedagogical Innovation reached out to various partners on campus to gauge interest in the building of a Brock University labyrinth. The first meeting occurred in October 2018, with representatives from CPI, Co-op, Career and Experiential Education, Facilities Management, Human Resources, Marketing and Communications, Student Wellness and Accessibility, Student Life and Community Experience, the Library, and BUSU and the GSA. Faculty members and the Accessibility Coordinator also lent their support and ideas. The group began meeting monthly to learn about labyrinth history and benefits and to share ideas.

Grounds Management, under the leadership of John Dick, was instrumental in its support, both with in kind planning and in the actual build. Approximately a dozen sites on the main Brock campus were looked at and a final site was chosen at the corner of Weather Station Field in front of the Campus Store. This site provides accessibility with access from adjacent sidewalks and is visible from the roads. Trees provide some privacy and a green backdrop.

Construction began in April of 2019 and a formal opening took place on May 22nd 2019.

Images of the construction of the labyrinth