Release Date: April 28, 2008
Kennesaw State hosts evening for self-reflection
Contact: Cheryl Anderson Brown, Assistant Director of Public Relations
770-499-3417 or cbrown@kennesaw.edu
 |
Walking the labyrinth offers an opportunity for meditation. |
KENNESAW, Ga.—The power of the labyrinth—an ancient tool for walking meditation—has been rediscovered. The Kennesaw State University College of the Arts joins the worldwide labyrinth movement by welcoming the community to walk its canvas labyrinth on Tuesday, May 6. An introduction by John Gentile, chair of the KSU Department of Theatre and Performance Studies, and the video "Rediscovering the Labyrinth: A Walking Meditation" will commence at 5 p.m. with time for walking the labyrinth until 9 p.m. in Howard Logan Stillwell Theater.
Used by many for meditation and reflection, labyrinths are circular paths that participants walk along without fear of heading in the wrong direction. Unlike mazes, labyrinths have no dead ends, which allows walkers the chance to ponder their own life journey without barriers or worry of misstep. These contemplative paths have existed for centuries, but lately have become more popular in many churches, hospitals and schools nationwide. Labyrinths can be either outdoors, often constructed of stones or shrubbery; or indoors, painted or inlaid into flooring or mats, such as the one KSU will feature.
Gentile encourages visitors to “allow the experience to be what it is. . .it’s very much about the attitude that you bring. If you are open to take it more seriously and more profoundly, then you might get more out of it.” Gentile also explains that labyrinth walking isn’t associated strictly with any one particular faith, and in fact, does not necessarily have any religious connotation.
There is no admission fee for KSU’s labyrinth and Gentile hopes that his introduction will allow the community to recognize the labyrinth’s value. “It can be a powerful tool for self-reflection.”
# # #
A member of the 35-unit University System of Georgia, Kennesaw State University is a comprehensive, residential institution with a growing student population of more than 20,000 from 132 countries. The third-largest university in Georgia, Kennesaw State offers more than 60 graduate and undergraduate degrees, including new doctorates in education and business.
The KSU College of the Arts is one of only four Georgia institutions to have achieved full national accreditation for all of its arts programs.