The Wings Labyrinth Garden
A healing tool, the labyrinth offers a meditative journey to wholeness by walking the 1/3-mile path to the center. Donated by generous family members of cancer patients, the labyrinth at Wings represents our dedication to support and honor the whole person - mind, body and spirit - as part of the battle against cancer.
Labyrinth History
Dating back thousands of years, a labyrinth is a universal image representing the path of life and symbolizing unity. Unlike a maze which is designed to confuse with its multiple choices, a labyrinth is designed to help us find our way.
The circle is divided into four quadrants with an eleven-circuit path. The path gently leads you to the center no matter how many twists and turns you encounter. Its equal number of left and right turns is thought to balance the two spheres of the brain. In fact, the body’s own balancing mechanism, located in the middle ear, is called the labyrinth.
The labyrinth has no power in itself. It is a method, proven effective over centuries, that helps us set aside the superficial concerns of this world, so that we can reach within ourselves for inner strength and beyond ourselves in prayer.
Today, labyrinths can be found on university campuses, medical centers, churches, parks and prisons. Labyrinths are being used throughout the world as a tool for focused walks, prayer, contemplation and exercise.
Walking the Wings Labyrinth
The Wings Labyrinth is open to the community 24 hours/day, 7 days/week and is located behind our East Memphis location. During business hours, the door from the Wings Resource Center remains unlocked, making the labyrinth accessible to visitors and patients to use as needed. After hours you may access the garden from the west end of the parking lot. More than one person can walk the labyrinth at the same time.
Walking the labyrinth encourages being present for every step and trusting the path even though, like life, it is impossible to see what lies beyond each twist and turn. In the medical setting it promotes relaxation and supports body, mind and spirit. Walking the labyrinth is an excellent tool for integrating spiritual self-care into a health care setting.
Each interaction with the labyrinth may provide a very different experience because each time we bring a different inner landscape to the experience. Begin your walk by clearing your mind. Find your own pace. When you reach the center, you may remain there as long as you wish. When you are ready, simply the follow the same path back out. You may wish to pass others or to be passed. Please respect the experience by walking in silence.
The Three Stages
Walking to the Center: Letting go of the details of daily life.
Reaching the Center: Opening to insight and new awareness.
Walking from the Center: Taking silence and peace with you into your day.