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The Labyrinth and Our Opportunity for Hope and Healing

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The Labyrinth and Our Opportunity for Hope and Healing

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Many cultures have created and used labyrinths over the long course of human history. 

  • Farther back in history, they were used to help people connect and re-connect with the earth.  They were located outdoors.
  • Later on in history, some faith communities have used them to help the person get close to their Higher Power, or to re-establish that connection.  They were located in sacred spaces indoors and outdoors.
  • More recently, we see them in many places: hospitals, schools, spas, prisons, parks, and retreat centers.  Because now we know the benefits of meditation, and a labyrinth can be a meditative tool.

Defensive?  Stubborn?  One-sided?  Doing it on our own?  Figuring it out by ourselves? 

When you walk the labyrinth you have to break those things down.  It’s a very simple process of overcoming our own resistance, and our own defensiveness.  It’s stepping out of our comfort zone and trusting the process.  We can believe in it enough to try it, or not.  We can try it out and see the results, or not. 

Sometimes one of the most simple of the results is that it’s grounding.  We can be intentional and feel our feet on the earth below us. 

But what else about a labyrinth?  It’s one of those rare things in life that is both a metaphor and a practical skill.

The labyrinth is an object, a process, and a puzzle.  We can’t do our thinking, our recovery, or our life all on our own.  And it’s good to get out of our own way.  Sometimes we need a little help to get out of our own way.  And sometimes, we need a little help that’s not from another person.  The lessons we learn in the labyrinth can help during times like that. And at other times too.

  • Sometimes our own mind can seem like a labyrinth – so the labyrinth can help as a tool of practical problem solving and self-calming. 
  • The recovery experience can be a like a labyrinth – and we can benefit from a guided process, rather than over-reliance on intellectual problem-solving. 
  • And the experience of life can be like that – a path we walk but for which it’s best if we make sure to not have all the answers.

It’s like a labyrinth is both the container and the contained.  Can we just be willing to enter the process?

Pavillon Update:

This past week has been focused on getting our campus and all systems ready for business, as we planned our re-opening of Pavillon following the devastation of Western North Carolina from Hurricane Helene.

This journey has been challenging; but with focus on and commitment to our staff and patients, we anticipate a return to a “new normal” next week.

We will receive our first patients back on campus on Wednesday, October 16th. Those who were evacuated during the event will be returning to Pavillon over the course of three days, Wednesday, October 16th – Friday, October 18th. New admissions will be accepted starting Saturday, October 19th. Our Admissions Staff have continued to accept calls and screen potential admissions throughout this week. They now will be able to schedule those wanting residential treatment with this return to business date established. This past week our Outpatient Services became fully operational and are currently accepting referrals.

Phones and internet will be in place on our Pavillon campus, but slight delays in our responses can be anticipated as we adjust to new systems. Your patience during this process is appreciated.

We are grateful for the outpouring of support that has helped us to sustain hope during this pause. So many people who have been touched by Pavillon, our alums and our staff, have reached out with kind words and donations to support our recovery efforts. Thank you to all of you!

As we move forward , I will keep you informed of progress with a final update at the end of next week.

In gratitude and appreciation,
Barbara Bennett, CEO